Debby Silver, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology
Program Director, Duke Developmental and Stem Cell Biology PhD Program
Co-Director, Duke Regeneration Center
Investigator, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
Google Scholar

Research Interest: Everything in our lab!
Hometown: Southboro, Massachusetts.
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, travelling, spending time with family and dog.

Fernando cruz Alsina, Ph.D.
BBRF-NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2023-current)
Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Award (2022-current)
Broad Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2019)
IBRO-USCRC Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2018)

Research Interests: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neural Differentiation and Maturation.
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hobbies: Hiking, travelling, playing soccer, reading, and spending time with family.

Jing Liu, Ph.D.
Broad Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow (2020-2021)

Research Interests: Mechanisms driving human unique brain development.
Hometown: Shandong, China.
Hobbies: Cooking and painting.

Lucas Serdar, Ph.D.
NIH F32 Postdoctoral Fellow (2022-current)

Research Interests: Understanding how RNA stability regulation impacts gene expression in the developing cortex.
Hometown: Perrysburg, Ohio.
Hobbies: Reading, cycling, and hiking with my wife and dog.

Nicole Moss, Ph.D.

Research Interests: Understanding the diverse roles of human-specific non-coding genomic sequences in the evolution of human brain development.
Hometown: Denver, Colorado.
Hobbies: Road biking and boardgames.

Brooke D’Arcy, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Silver lab, 2023
NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2018-2022)

Research Interests: Subcellular gene regulation in Radial Glial cells during cortical development.
Hometown: Elma, New York.
Hobbies: Crochet, Puzzles, and baking.

Abby Poff
DSCB/MGM Graduate student

Research Interests: Understanding how pathogenic missense mutations in the X-linked RNA helicase DDX3X affect the developing mouse neocortex.
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee.
Hobbies: Crafts/DIY, reading, and hanging out at home with my dog and partner.

Federica Mosti
CMB/Neurobiology Graduate student
Tricem fellow (2022-2023)

Research Interest: Epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation during neurodevelopment and human evolution.
Hometown: Tivoli (RM), Italy.
Hobbies: Reading, crocheting, and watercolors.

Davoneshia “Missy” Lollis
DSCB/UPGG Graduate student
NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2023-present)

Research Interests: Human-specific genomic changes involved in WNT signaling and their role in the evolution of human brain development.
Hometown: Mississippi.
Hobbies: Dog mom, reading, and advocacy for equal accessibility in education and mental healthcare.

Chia-Fang “Phoebe” Lee
Neurobiology Graduate student
International Chancellor Fellow (2023-present)

Research Interest: Understanding the functional role of RGC endfeet in orchestrating cortical development.
Hometown: Taiwan.
Hobbies: Running and reading.

Floyd Rubonal
Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate student

Research Interest: Organelle and RNA localization and function in radial glia cells during cortical development.
Hometown: Waipahu, Hawaii.
Hobbies: Cooking/baking, lifting weights, trying out new foods (I will try anything at least once!)

Carla Escobar-Tomlienovich
Diversity Supplement Awardee (2023-present)

Research Interests: Understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying sex differences in DDX3X Syndrome, and their implications in clinical presentation.
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hobbies: Long-distance running and doing hot yoga.

Stephany Perez-Sanchez
Major: Neuroscience
Class of 2025
Lab Mentor: Brooke D’Arcy

Research Interests: RNA localization and local translation in progenitor cells, and how this knowledge applies to future neuronal cell studies.
Hometown: Lancaster, South Carolina.
Hobbies: Photography, going to concerts, and going out to dinner with friends.

Katie Lam
Major: Evolutionary Anthropology
Class of 2025
Lab Mentor: Federica Mosti

Research Interests: Understanding the human-specific aspects of brain development and gene regulation in the brain.
Hometown: Roslyn, New York.
Hobbies: Painting, hiking, trying new restaurants, equestrian, and tutoring kids.