Current Lab Members

Robert Burk, MD - Principal Investigator

Robbie is a physician-scientist with extensive expertise in molecular biology, clinical medicine, epidemiology, and medical genetics. He has devoted his career to understanding and studying the causal factors of cancer.

Ana Gradissimo, PhD - Post-doctoral Research Fellow

Works currently in: Risk stratification based on methylation of HPV genomes. Graduated in Biology in 2005, with special interest in clinical research. Started working at a virology laboratory in the Portuguese National Institute of Health, with a 3-year fellowship regarding the study of human papillomavirus (HPV) prognostic markers to precancerous cervical lesions development. As a way to gather knowledge and to pursue specialization, initiated a PhD in 2009 with the project “New approaches to the diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection: relevance for clinical practice and cancer prevention”. Included an 5-week internship at National Cancer Institute (Frederick, MD, USA) learning serologic techniques applied to HPV research. The main areas of interest are to improve screening strategies for cervical cancer prevention; to use molecular / prognostic markers for better management of HPV-infected women; to identify novel sequences of diagnostic and therapeutic relevance for prevention of cervical cancer development. Considered as intuitive, with critical judgment, and aiming to use research as impact in public health and women’s welfare; proactive and keen for embracing new challenges; hard worker and fast learner, with teaching and communication skills.



  

Ayax Pérez Gallegos, PhD - Post-doctoral Research Fellow

Ayax graduated with a BS in Chemistry from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Chemistry School in 2008. For his dissertation, he conducted research on the modeling of the mineral solid–water interface physicochemical processes from molecular, structural, and morphological details, in Mario Villalobos lab at UNAM Geography Institute. In 2010, he obtained his MS degree from UNAM Chemistry School, working in Juan R. Álvarez Idaboy lab at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Unit. His dissertation focused on the quantum-mechanical modeling of atmospheric chemical processes initiated by the hydroxyl radical. Interested in the study of biologically relevant chemical processes, in 2011 he joined the Theoretical Molecular Biology group at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) with a 5-year PhD fellowship from the Mexican Science and Technology Council. His dissertation, supervised by Àngels González Lafont and Mireia García Viloca, focused on the development and application of multiscale theoretical methodologies to study the mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by protein kinases. Ayax started working in the Burk lab in the spring of 2017 and is currently investigating HPV genome evolution through the structure of the proteins and their association with carcinogenicity. He is interested in a multidisciplinary formation to study complex biomolecular systems with pharmaceutical relevance.

  

Mykhaylo Usyk, MS - Bioinformatics Analyst

Mykhaylo graduated with a BS and MS from NYU Tandon School of Engineering in 2016. While studying at NYU he conducted research on developing polyaniline functionalized electrodes and non-specific protein binding with industry professor Kalle Levon. Once he was accepted into the joint BS/MS program and working on his thesis, Mykhaylo started working at NYU's college of dentistry as a Bioinformatics analyst. There he designed high throughput metagenomic analysis pipelines. Most of his work focused on microbial community variation in pancreatic cancer. Mykhaylo started working in the Burk lab at the beginning of 2016 and is currently working on NGS HPV studies. He is interested in building a wide skill set in the field of bioinformatics which can then be incorporated into a career in medicine.

 

Dylan Gagler, MS - Bioinformatics Analyst

Dylan graduated with his B.S. in Geology from Stony Brook University in 2016 and his M.S. in Geological Sciences from Arizona State University in 2020. At ASU, he was fortunate enough to spend several field seasons in Yellowstone National Park studying microbial ecology and hot spring geochemistry with Dr. Everett Shock before settling down to complete his thesis with Dr. Sara Walker, which leveraged comparative genomics databases to evaluate the distribution of enzyme classes across publicly recognized  microbial diversity. Dylan started working with the Burk Lab in the spring of 2021 and is interested in developing his bioinformatic and microbiological skillset within the field of medicine. 

Christopher Sollecito, BS - Research Technician

Chris graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences from Fordham University in 2015. Before joining the Burk Lab in 2016, Chris worked in the laboratory of Qize Wei, MD, PhD, studying how MyoGEF, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, regulates cytokinesis and breast cancer cell invasion. His professional interests include the Microbiome and its relation to human health, translational medicine, and improving laboratory methods. Outside of the lab Chris enjoys reading, going to Yankee games, and playing the occasional game of tennis.  

Evan Grassi, BS - Research Technician

Evan joined the lab in October of 2018. He received his B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Fordham University. During his time at Fordham, Evan worked with Edward Dubrovsky, PhD. studying the function of Juvenile Hormone induced genes in Drosophila as well as Donald Clarke, PhD studying intramolecular forces in small molecules via NMR spectroscopy. In his free time he enjoys biking, reading, and running 

Fanua Wiek, BA - Research Technician

Fanua  is interested in health equity and improving women’s lives through translational research. Fanua received a B.A. in Human Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy from Harvard University. She has worked in the Culture, Cognition and Coevolution Lab at Harvard, studying the cognitive development and decline in populations across the world, specifically looking at individuals’ access to education and healthcare. Separately, she has also worked with Professor E. Yarden on music as a cognitive adaptation for memory in the aging brain. Fanua joined the Burk Lab in 2019 as a research technician. After honing her pipetting skills to perfection, Fanua wants to pursue an education in medicine and ultimately return to her hometown in Fiji, to work in the Women’s Health sector there. 

Lauren St. Peter, BS - Research Technician

Lauren graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a BS in Chemistry and a minor in Public Health. Prior to joining the Burk Lab in Winter 2019, Lauren spent a year teaching English in Taiwan on a Fulbright ETA Award. She is interested in research concerning women's health, disparities in health and access to quality healthcare, and the increasing trend of medicalization. Lauren enjoys going outside, rooting for her favorite teams in basketball and football, and learning new things.