Our Team

Mansi Solanki

Research Assistant

Xueqin Sherine Sun, PhD.

Principle Investigator

Cancer Biologist | Cell and Molecular Biologist | Genome Engineer|

Trained at Wuhan University (China) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (U.S.); fascinated by cancer and aging; highly motivated to identify therapeutic targets and develop effective therapeutic interventions.

Bin Lu PhD.

Senior Scientist

I am a cell and molecular biologist by training. I graduated from Wuhan University and had Postdoctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I am fascinated with epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and developing large scale CRISPR screening and genomic profiling strategies to identify novel therapeutic targets of human cancer.

Shuo Zhang Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

I earned my Ph.D. from the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and pursued my first postdoctoral training at UC San Diego. I joined the lab in August 2025, where my research focuses on the epigenetics of glioblastoma and the development of combination therapies for this disease.

Qiyi Yu

Research Assistant

I have a research background in computational biology and biomedical engineering. I received my master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and previously conducted research at Harvard Medical School and Stanford University. My current research focuses on using single-cell and spatial multi-omics approaches to study glioma heterogeneity, tumor cell plasticity, and interactions within the tumor microenvironment. I’m particularly interested in developing computational methods to better understand tumor progression and treatment resistance.

Valerie Alanis

Associate, Center Support

NCI-Designated Cancer Center

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UCLA and have a strong passion for cancer biology research. My current focus is on glioblastoma, where I apply molecular and cellular techniques such as functional genomics, CRISPR-based gene editing, transcriptomic analysis, and epigenetic assays to investigate the genetic and epigenetic regulation of transcriptional networks. Originally from San Diego, I enjoy reading, traveling, and exploring nature through hiking when I'm not in the lab.

Laurence Haddadin

Graduate student

I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general biology from the University of California, Riverside, in 2023, where I worked in the Garland Lab studying the effects of exercise on mice through evolutionary lens. After graduating, I joined the Adams Lab at SBP, focusing on characterizing the phenotype and genotype of senescent cells in aging mice. This experience inspired me to join the Sun Lab, where I am now pursuing my PhD, researching the epigenetics of glioblastoma. In my free time, I enjoy climbing and spending time with family and friends.

Sanah Langer Sheregar

Graduate student

I graduated with a Master's of Science in Molecular Biotechnology from Northeastern University. I gained industry research experience in immuno-oncology, AAV biology, and gene editing, and trained in functional genomics and aging research in the AbuGoot Lab at Harvard Medical School. I am now pursuing my PhD, focusing on improving mouse models of glioblastoma and exploring the intersection between the tumor microenvironment and aging. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and swimming in the ocean!