PEOPLE

Current Weiss Lab Members

Bob Weiss, PhD

Principal Investigator, rsw26@cornell.edu

Bob is a Professor of Molecular Genetics in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Senior Associate Dean for the Graduate School (previously the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Veterinary Medicine) at Cornell University. He received an A.B. in Biology from Wabash College in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from Baylor College of Medicine in 1997. He then trained as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School with support from an American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellowship. In 2002, Bob joined the faculty of Cornell University. He lectures in the core veterinary curriculum, teaches a graduate course on genome maintenance mechanisms, teaches a course for all students at Cornell on cancer patient and research engagement in the community, and leads a research program aimed at dissecting how mammalian cells maintain genomic stability, using mouse models and an array of genetic, molecular, cell biological, and genomic technologies.

Destiny Van

Destiny Van

Graduate Student | dbv25

Destiny is originally from Miami, FL and currently resides in Georgia. She graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. She joined the Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology program at Cornell University in Fall 2019. Her research is focused on studying the role of Sirtuin 5 in cancer metabolism and tumorigenesis. Outside of lab, Destiny is involved in several organizations with the goal to increase awareness in STEM. She identifies as a Christian and spends a lot of time with her family and pet dog whenever she gets the chance. Other hobbies include binge-watching shows, watching horror flicks, and playing games.

Gerardo A. Arroyo Martinez

Gerardo A. Arroyo Martinez

Graduate Student | gaa65

I’m a 3rd-year Ph.D. student in the Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cell Biology program. I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico-Ponce. Currently, my research focuses on studying the different roles of the 9-1-1 complexes during mammalian meiosis. Outside of the lab, I enjoy photowalks, swimming and watching musicals.

Scott Butler

Scott Butler

Research Support Specialist III | sdb9

Scott has worked at Cornell University for over 28 years. He also works in the PATh Facility (Progressive Assessment of Therapeutics) where he helps to develop and research in vivo cancer models to help
develop therapeutic treatments. His journey in science has been a twisting road but very rewarding. He studied Biology in college and worked summers as a research assistant at Cornell doing everything from basic lab techniques to milking cows, but he has been doing science ever since he can remember. “My father was a professor in Animal Science, and he would take me with him to the farm or the lab all the time. After college I started working on a research farm here at Cornell. From there I moved to the College of Veterinary Medicine doing hepatitis research on woodchucks. I learned many of my lab techniques here. I then went on to manage a lab doing research involving hypertension and brain regulation of cardiac abnormalities. This is where I received most of my experience in managing a research lab as well as becoming an expert in rodent surgical procedures. I am currently the husband of a nurse, the father of a high school senior daughter, and at the mercy of 3 dogs. Aside from my family, my real passion is fly fishing.”

Michelle Liu

Michelle Liu

Graduate Student |ml2224

Michelle graduated with a BA in biology from Oberlin College and joined the Genetics, Genomics and Development program at Cornell in 2021. Her research is focused on understanding the chemosensitivity of testicular germ cell tumors. When not in lab, she enjoys indulging in her plant addiction and dabbling in crafts.

Andy Yu-Wei Chang

Andy Yu-Wei Chang

Graduate Student | yc944

Andy is originally from Taiwan and graduated with his M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from National Yang-Ming University in Dr. Cheng-Wen Wu’s lab. He worked as a research assistant at National Taiwan University before joining Cornell’s Biomedical & Biological Sciences PhD program in 2021. Currently, his project is focused on the roles of SIRT1 medicated exosomes in breast cancer progression. Outside of the lab Andy likes to watch and attend baseball games.

Kelsey Jones

Kelsey Jones

Laboratory Technician IV | kej42

An upstate NY native, Kelsey graduated with a B.A. in Biology from Binghamton University in 2018. She then went on to work for ST Genetics, gaining experience in an flow cytometry/agricultural laboratory setting. Kelsey joined the Weiss Lab in fall of ’21 as a technician, and is very excited to support the lab members in their research. Outside of the laboratory Kelsey enjoys hanging out with her kitties and corgi, crafting, and playing video games.

Pronouns: She/They

Max Chen, DVM

Max Chen, DVM

Graduate Student | amc492

Max graduated with a DVM from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan in 2022 before joining the Biomedical & Biological Sciences PhD program at Cornell. His project will focus on the roles of SIRT5 in tumor angiogenesis. Outside of the lab Max enjoys watching shows, playing games, and spending time with his cat.

Michael Guo

Michael Guo

Undergraduate Student | mg955

 
Celine Li

Celine Li

Undergraduate Student | cyl46

Celine majors in Human Biology, Health, and Society in the Class of 2024 and plans on attending medical school following graduation. She is from California and joined the Weiss Lab in Fall of 2022. Outside of academics, she enjoys watching shows, crocheting, playing ultimate frisbee, and hitting the gym.

Ilana Livshits

Ilana Livshits

Undergraduate Student | il292

Ilana is double majoring in Biological Sciences and Literatures in English (or Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) in the class of 2027. She joined the Weiss Lab in the spring of 2022 and hopes to become more involved in reproductive biology by later pursuing an MD/PhD. Outside of the lab, she enjoys writing for the Cornell Sun, crocheting, and weightlifting.
 
Pronouns: She/They
Jake Sarno

Jake Sarno

Veterinary Student | js3695

I am a student at the College of Veterinary Medicine originally from Southbury, Connecticut. I recently graduated from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, completing my Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Master of Science degree in Chemistry. As a veterinary student, I am interested in biomedical research, molecular therapeutics, population-level genetics, and the overall intersection between genetics and medicine. I often consider how the cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques of today will be applicable to global scale issues in OneHealth in years to come. In my free time, I enjoy studying foreign languages, running, being outside, and traveling to new places.