Principal Investigator
Neel H. Shah
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
neel.shah [at] columbia [dot] edu 2013 - Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, The Rockefeller University 2008 - B.S. in Chemistry, New York University Neel grew up in Munster, Indiana, just outside of Chicago. He started his scientific training at New York University. There, he worked with Kent Kirshenbaum, examining ways to control structure in a class of peptidomimetic molecules called 'peptoids'. After NYU, Neel joined Tom Muir's lab, first at The Rockefeller University, then at Princeton University, for his graduate research. In the Muir lab, Neel investigated the structure and function of split inteins and helped develop new intein-based tools for protein chemistry. Temporarily tired of New York, he then moved to the University of California, Berkeley, where he joined John Kuriyan's lab. In the Kuriyan lab, Neel developed new high-throughput methods to interrogate protein tyrosine kinases and small GTPases. In the summer of 2018, Neel happily returned to his favorite city and started a faculty position at Columbia Chemistry. When he's not at work, Neel likes to explore parks, museums, and restaurants with his wife and kids, and he enjoys learning about new scientific topics through popular science books.
Team
Loren Cardani
Graduate student
lc3803 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2023 - B.S. in Biochemistry, University of Rochester Loren is from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. She attended the University of Rochester in upstate New York for her Bachelor’s degree, where she worked under Dr. Bradley Nilsson exploring peptide chemistry and its applications in biology. In 2022, she spent a summer at New York University synthesizing peptoid drug candidates for Type 1 Diabetes in the lab of Dr. Kent Kirshenbaum. Having been introduced to the city, Loren joined the Shah lab at Columbia, where she hopes to continue utilizing chemical tools to explore biological systems. Outside of the lab, Loren enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her cat, Mac.
Yethmie Goonatilleke
Undergraduate student
ysg2105 [at] barnard [dot] edu Barnard College class of 2027 Yethmie grew up in Glen Rock, New Jersey, a small suburb that is half an hour away from NYC. Intrigued by the city, she came to Barnard College where she is currently studying chemistry. She is excited to further understand complex biological systems through exploration of protein signaling and regulation. Some of Yethmie’s pastimes include creative writing, discussing books, movies, and music with others, and strolling through a beautiful park or art museum.
Katherine Hebert
Graduate student
kah2276 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2023 - B.S. in Biomolecular Science and Gender and Health, University of Michigan Katherine grew up in Dallas, Texas before attending the University of Michigan for college. There she worked for both Dr. Heather Carlson studying molecular dynamics and Dr. Anna Mapp studying the regulation and inhibition of transcription cofactors. Outside of chemistry, she also majored in women's studies at Michigan. Katherine joined the Shah Lab to continue studying protein interactions and regulation. Outside of the lab, Katherine enjoys baking, spending time in the parks, and running.
Andrew Johns
Graduate student
acj2144 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2020 - B.S. in Biochemistry, Texas State University Andrew grew up in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, and was always perplexed by the complexity of life. This led him to major in biochemistry at Texas State University, San Marcos, where he began organic synthesis in Dr. Kornienko's lab with a focus in medicinal chemistry. Looking to move far away from home, Andrew joined the Shah lab, where he hopes to use chemistry as a tool to understand biological systems. Andrew's favorite things to do outside of the lab are taking pictures of nature, exploring the city, and watching movies.
Minhee Lee
Graduate student
ml4551 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2020 - B.S. in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Tufts University  Minhee grew up in Westborough, Massachusetts, and didn't want to leave New England for college, leading him to study biochemistry and biotechnology at Tufts University where he worked under Dr. Krishna Kumar. His broad interests in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry brought him to the Shah lab at Columbia, where he hopes to further study complex biological systems using chemistry. Some of his favorite things to do outside the lab include practicing guitar, going to the gym, and playing video games.
Mackenzie Lopes
Undergraduate student
ml5396 [at] columbia [dot] edu Columbia College class of 2028  Mackenzie grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, before attending the University of Notre Dame for his first year. There, he worked under Dr. Lieberman, conducting research on lead concentrations in environmental sources, such as soil and paint, within the South Bend community. After his first year, he transferred to Columbia University, where he plans to major in chemistry on the pre-medical track. In addition to his studies in chemistry, he is also pursuing a minor in Spanish. Mackenzie joined the Shah Lab out of a curiosity to explore and connect the principles that govern the relationship between protein structure and function. Outside of the lab, he enjoys exploring New York City, reading, and running in the city’s many parks.
Paramesh Ramaraj
Postdoctoral researcher
pr2805 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2025 - Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Delaware 2017 - B.S. in Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota  Paramesh was born in India and grew up in Kuwait. He decided to pursue his undergraduate degree in the United States, at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he got his degree in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Paramesh was always intrigued by the prospect of being able to manipulate biochemistry inside a cell. Hence, he decided to pursue his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Delaware under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph Fox, where he developed a method to functionalize material surfaces with proteins and a method to capture protein-protein interactions. Looking to broaden his knowledge and skill set, he joined the Shah lab. In his free time, Paramesh enjoys taking walks, reading books, and exploring new coffee shops.
Annalise Scorzari
Graduate student
ans2239 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2024 - B.S. in Chemistry, Clemson University  Annalise is from Huntington, New York. She attended Clemson University (2022-2024) and worked with carbon dots under the mentorship of Dr. Ya-Ping Sun. During this time, she was accepted to NASA’s Palmetto Research Academy, where she synthesized antimicrobial carbon dots for applications on Mars. Annalise also attended the University of Miami (2020-2022), where she worked with Dr. Roger M. Leblanc using carbon dots for chemotherapeutics and SARS-CoV-2 treatment. Annalise joined the Shah group to grow in her interest of chemical biology and protein regulation. Outside of chemistry, Annalise enjoys reading, ballet, and exploring the city.
Devon Semoy
Postdoctoral researcher
ds4411 [at] columbia [dot] edu 2024 - Ph.D. in Biochemistry, City University of New York 2021 - M.Phil. in Biochemistry, City University of New York 2013 - B.S. in Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the West Indies  Devon grew up in Jamaica (the Caribbean island). He did his undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies, mona. Where a combination of scientific curiosity and influence from respected science communicators lead him to pursue graduate school in the States. He completed his PhD in the lab of David Jeruzalmi (CUNY) working on the biochemical and structural characterization of bacterial DNA replication and repair proteins. Looking for a new challenge and a complimentary skill set, Devon joined the Shah lab in 2024 at Columbia University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family. He enjoys watching and playing football (soccer) and basketball.