Dr. Sarah R. Hengel

Hi! My name is Sarah and I’m a new Assistant Professor at Tufts University in the Biology Department. My work is supported internally in the Tufts Biology Department by a Merrin Fund for Faculty Excellence and a R00 from the NIEHS. My long-term goal is to mechanistically understand the intersection of repair proteins involved in DNA lesion recognition and homologous recombination. My research program is specifically focused on uncovering the underlying mechanisms of how DNA damage at replication forks is recognized by the human Shu complex and repaired by either RAD51-dependent or RAD52-dependent damage repair mechanisms.

My lab combines cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and single-molecule tweezers (C-trap) approaches to uncover novel insights into the mechanisms of DNA repair in  aging, disease, and cancer.  

When I’m not in the lab I’m spending time with my partner & our three doggos, painting, and advocating to make science a more inclusive and safe place for all humans.

Shoshana E. Daly

Laboratory Position: Undergraduate Researcher

I am a Freshman studying biochemistry at Tufts on the premedical track and I am from Croton-On-Hudson, NY. I am an avid environmental and climate activist, and my interests lie at the intersection of medicine, environmental justice, and biochemistry. I am very passionate about the idea that everyone has the right to health, whether that means living in an environment free from pollutants, having access to healthcare, or having access to adequate and healthy food. I aspire to one day either become a surgeon, medical researcher, or both. In my free time, you will either find me exploring the great outdoors, playing ultimate frisbee, or reading a good book.

SRH Lab start date: 9/1/2023

Twitter: @DalyShoshana

Previous Laboratory Experience: In high school, I participated in a 3-year science research course where I worked in Ayelet Fishman's lab at the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology. My work focused on testing the stability of a mutant lipase in methanol for more efficient enzymatic production of biofuel. During my time in the lab, I learned to use an Emulsiflex, AKTA FPLC, SDS page, and enzymatic activity assays.

Madeline J. Mueller

Laboratory Position: Undergraduate Researcher

I’m a senior and will be graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree in biochemistry from Tufts University in May 2024. I’m originally from Concord, MA. Outside of the lab, I can be found playing ultimate frisbee, running with the Tufts Marathon Team, and at the office of the Tufts Daily where I serve as a student journalist and editor. I am currently searching for a protein biochemistry position in industry in the Boston area.

Hengel Laboratory Skills:

  • mass photometry using recombinant protein and DNA substrates

  • created a molecular weight ladder with known recombinant proteins for mass photometry

  • BCA assay for protein quanitification

  • EMSA analysis

  • DNA annealing to create fork DNA structures

  • insect cell protein creation (Sf9)

Previous Laboratory Experience: I’ve been fortunate to participate in research at the Athar Chishti Lab at the Tufts School of Biomedical Sciences, using a variety of protein purification methods and protein-based assays (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, etc.) to characterize cytoskeletal and signaling proteins in blood disorders including babesia and malaria. I found an interest in lab-based research as an antibody production intern at Cell Signaling Technology.

  • Develop a protein purification scheme for a recombinant babesia membrane protein

  • Expert in AKTA FPLC, Nickel Column, MonoQ, and size exclusion chromatography

  • SDS PAGE analysis

  • ELISA functional analysis of recombinant protein

During summer 2023, I returned to Cell Signaling Technology as an antibody production intern, where I performed product testing within the EGFR and HER2 antibody portfolio. I validated antibodies for use with the BioTechne SimpleWestern capillary electrophoresis platform.

  • Analysis of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies by western blot and ELISA

  • Tested by peptide blocking which portions of antibodies are functional

Kyle Burton

Laboratory Position: Laboratory Technician

I graduated from Tufts University in 2022 with degrees in Biology and English. I assisted population ecology research as an undergrad, and I have a professional background in editing educational publications. I am from Fairfield, CT, where I grew up catching minnows and crabs in Long Island Sound. I’m thrilled to return to Tufts in a professional capacity, confident that its community of researchers, educators, and students will continue to inspire me to better myself and to love learning. Outside of work, I paint, write poetry, take Wikipedia deep dives, and enjoy watching movies with my friends.

SRH Lab start date: 9/05/23 

Previous Laboratory Experience: I assisted research on bumble bee life cycles and the composition of species in meadow communities at the Crone Lab of population ecology at Tufts, using novel in situ observation strategies, quadrats, and mark recapture. At Tufts, I additionally learned the foundations of assay techniques, liquid-liquid extraction, and forms of chromatography through the laboratory components of the undergraduate biology program and organic chemistry. 

Maggie Witham

Laboratory Position: Graduate Student Researcher

I graduated from Washington College in May 2021 with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am now enrolled at Tufts University as a master’s student in Biology, concentrating in Genetics and Molecular Biology. My interests include reproductive biology and cancers, toxicology, and endocrinology.

Outside of the lab, I love to run, explore new places, and make art in many different forms.

SRH Lab start date: 9/05/23 

Previous Laboratory Experience: For the past two years, I have worked as a Clinical Pathology Scientist where I conducted laboratory testing on clinical pathology samples such as thyroid immunoassays, hematology, serum chemistry, coagulation, and urinalysis. I also assisted in the validations of multiple instruments as well as performed routine maintenance on all laboratory equipment. 

Oluchi C. Ezekwenna

Laboratory Position: Graduate Student Researcher

I am Nigerian American, born and raised in New York City. I am a master’s student studying Functional Genomics under the Open Choice MS program in the Biology department. Prior to my master’s, I graduated from Tufts University in May 2023 with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in French.  I am interested in understanding molecular mechanisms in cells that explain the connection between genetics and various forms of diseases. I am excited to continue my scientific exploration in SRH lab working on proteins involved with DNA damage and DNA repair systems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy film photography, taking dance classes, being active, practicing my French, listening to live music, traveling, and exploring Boston. 

SRH Lab start date: 9/21/2023

Awards:

● GSAS Future Leaders Fellowship – Awarded Fall and Spring of 2023-2024

● Dean’s List Award, Tufts University – Awarded Fall and Spring of 2019-2022

SRH Lab start date: 9/21/2023
Previous Lab Experience: At Tufts, I participated in the SEA-PHAGES program and isolated and characterized novel bacteriophages from collected soil samples. I went on to annotate and characterize bacteriophage genomic content using various gene-analyzing databases. Following my graduation, I worked at ROME Therapeutics to help uncover the therapeutic application of targeting repetitive elements in oncology and immunology. Before Tufts, I participated in a drosophila genomic research course as a part of Dr. Seung Kim’s lab at Phillips Exeter Academy.