CHAPPELL LAB TEAM MEMBERS
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JAMES CHAPPELL
Assistant Professor | Biosciences | Rice University James received his PhD from Imperial College London and performed post-doctoral research at Cornell and Northwestern University.
Office: 332 Keck Hall Email: jc125@rice.edu |
GRADUATE STUDENTS
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ANDREA AMERUOSO
Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 4th yr 
In the lab: I work on developing RNA tools to rewire gene expression in Streptomyces with the goal of synthesizing various natural products, especially antibiotics.
Outside of the lab: I love lifting heavy things at the gym and play (lots of different) sports, especially basketball. I also love reading, a lot (like seriously, a lot). A born and raised Italian, you’ll probably spot me reinforcing the stereotype and yelling at people who put pineapple on pizza and eat fettuccine Alfredo (I mean, what is that?) My favorite science fact: The average person’s uncoiled DNA is enough to stretch from the sun to Pluto and back 17 times. Email: aa105@rice.edu Twitter: @andrea_faint LinkedIn: /andrea-ameruoso |
MARIA C. VILLEGAS K.
Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 4th yr 
In the lab: My research is focused in bacterial CRISPR activation systems to turn on transcription.
Outside of lab: I enjoy trying new foods and visiting new places. I also love to watch and read fiction, specially while having black coffee on a rainy day. My favorite science fact: Email: mv20@rice.edu |
LAUREN C. GAMBILL
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. | 4th yr 
In the lab: I'm working on developing an RNA detection platform using split-ribozyme technology.
Outside of lab: I love music, hiking, being outdoors, enjoying friends, and drinking a Topo Chico at Valhalla. My favorite science fact: Thermococcus gammatolerans can withstand gamma radiation 1000x stronger than would kill a human instantly. This resistance could be due to their thermotolerance and quick DNA repair mechanisms. Email: lcg5@rice.edu Twitter: @laurgamb LinkedIn: /lauren-gambill-synthetic-biologist |
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BAIYANG LIU
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. | 4th yr 
In the lab: My current work focuses on RNA-only circuits. The aim is to create protein-free, species-wide, and computationally designable circuits in biological systems.
Outside of lab: I like musicals and movie BGMs, playing clarinet and guitar, badminton, writing Sci-fi, game modding. My favorite science fact: Euler's identity. Email: baiyang.liu@rice.edu |
ANDREA M. GARZA E.Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 2nd yr
In the lab: My research focuses on how we can use CRISPR gene-editing systems to better understand regulation within Streptomyces.
Outside of lab: If you see someone in a yellow helmet roller-skating around campus, that's me! I'm also very passionate about data visualization, and exploring how scientists can learn from graphic design principles to create better figures. My favorite science fact: You can levitate a frog with magnetic fields! Email: amg18@rice.edu |
AUGUST O. STAUBUSBiochemistry and Cell Biology | 2nd yr
In the lab: I am working on developing novel gene regulators based on catalytic RNA using high-throughput screening approaches.
Outside of lab: Catch me biking down the bayous, playing volleyball, or cooking (one giant meal per week) My favorite science fact: Ice is a rock → water is lava → humans are lava monster. Email: aos2@rice.edu LinkedIn: /august-staubus-4ab30398 |
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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KATHERINE P. COHEN
Biochemistry and Cell Biology | Senior 
In the lab: My research focuses on creating novel synthetic translational and transcriptional control systems in Streptomyces to uncover interesting secondary metabolites under the guidance of Andrea Ameruoso.
Outside of lab: When I'm not in lab, you can find me teaching students in my honors biochemistry research lab or volunteering off campus at the local animal shelter. I'm also very passionate about menstrual equity on campus and locally in Houston! My favorite science fact: Squirrels can fall from almost any height because they quickly reach terminal velocity! Email: kpc3@rice.edu |
ANNETTE J. TSONG
Biochemistry and Cell Biology | Junior 
In the lab: I work with Maria Villegas K. on projects related to the optimization of CRISPR activation in prokaryotes.
Outside of lab: You can find me taking walks around campus, chilling at McMurtry, or studying outside. I love listening to music, watching rom-coms, and folding origami cranes! My favorite science fact: The average cumulus cloud (the fluffy one) weighs about 1.1 million pounds! Email: ajt13@rice.edu |
RISHI V. SHRIDHARAN
Neuroscience | Sophomore 
In the lab: I'm currently learning from August and Lauren about how to design and assemble ribozymes (catalytic RNA) with some really cool sensing applications. At the moment, I'm especially interested in the design rules underlying ribozyme function.
Outside of lab: I take particular delight in a good conversation about science but am happy to discuss (and share my opinions about) almost anything. Exercise is my go-to stress relief activity, so you may catch me biking or running around campus, and maybe someday scaling mountains. My favorite science fact: xkcd's error types Email: rvs1@rice.edu |
ALUMNI
Pavithr Goli, Summer research high-school student for BIOC 110, 2019
Stephanie Ponce, Undergraduate of the NSF funded Bionetworks Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Rice and BIOC 310 (Independent research) student, 2018-2019
Anshul Bhatnagar, Rice Undergraduate and Centuary scholars program, 2017
Stephanie Ponce, Undergraduate of the NSF funded Bionetworks Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Rice and BIOC 310 (Independent research) student, 2018-2019
Anshul Bhatnagar, Rice Undergraduate and Centuary scholars program, 2017