Lab Members

Francesca Cole 

Principal Investigator
fcole@mdanderson.org
B.A., in Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York
Ph.D., in Biomedical Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University
Research interests: Homologous recombination and germ line mutagenesis
Other Interests: Snorkeling
Favorite PCR machine: Medusa

Maciej (Maciek) Zelazowski

Instructor
mjzelazowski@mdanderson.org
M.S. in Plant Biotechnology, University of Lodz, Poland
Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
Research interests: Crossover and noncrossover pathways in mouse meiosis
Other interests: Photography
Favorite PCR machine: Beelzebub

Rhea Kang

UT GSBS Ph.D. Student
rskang@mdanderson.org
B.A. in Biology, B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Research Interests: Temporal and molecular mechanisms of homologous recombination
Other interests: Live theatre
Favorite PCR machine: Genie

Tolkappiyan Premkumar

UT GSBS Ph.D. Student
tpremkumar@mdanderson.org
B.tech and M.tech in Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
Research Interest: Homologous Recombination 
Other Interests: Cycling, robotics and programming
Favorite PCR Machine(s): The ones in the lower rack

Lakshmi Paniker

Senior Research Assistant 
lpaniker@mdanderson.org
B.S. and M.S. in Zoology, University of Kerala, India
M.S. in Biology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Ph.D. in Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, India
Research interests: Double-strand break repair and meiotic hot spot characterization
Other interests: Gardening
Favorite PCR machine: Mojo

Maria L. Sandoval 

Senior Research Assistant/Lab Manager  
mlsandoval@mdanderson.org
B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Research interests: Homologous recombination mechanisms, hybrid sterility, mouse spermatocyte development
Other interests: Volunteering
Favorite PCR machine: Juju

Joanna Baird

Research Assistant I
jlbaird@mdanderson.org
B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in History, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV
Research interests: Homologous Recominbation Mechanisms, Mouse oocyte development 
Other interests: Horse riding, ballroom dance, and rock climbing
Favorite PCR machine: Athena

April Weiss

Laboratory Technician III
amweiss@mdanderson.org 
Research interests: Mouse husbandry and genotyping
Other interests: PTA 
Favorite PCR machine: Athena

Laura Denton

Administrative Assistant
lmdenton@mdanderson.org 
Research interests: Grant and fellowship submission and compliance  
Other interests: Dancing  
Favorite PCR machine: Venus