Meet Our Research Team

Roya is a postdoctoral fellow in Nik's lab. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Biochemistry from Tarbiat Modares University. She is deeply passionate about exploring the intricate interactions between immune cells and tumor cells, with a particular focus on understanding the functional dynamics of CD8+ T cells with tumor-rejecting capabilities.

Hu Chen is a graduate research associate in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at The Ohio State University. He received his master's degree and bachelor's degree in data science and mathematics from Shandong University in China. His research focuses on immunoinformatics, where he applied computational and mathematical methods to study the immune system. Outside of research, he enjoys playing football and running.

Yuke Hou is a graduate research associate in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at The Ohio State University. She received her master's degree in Statistics from Beijing University of Technology in China. Her research focuses on computational biology, where she develops computational methods to study the tumor microenvironment, spatial transcriptomics, and immune cell interactions. Outside of research, she enjoys collecting vintage toys, visiting coffee shops, and traveling.

Jiayao Ye is a senior technician in Nik's lab at Ohio State University. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from OSU in 2023 and has been contributing to the immunology lab since her graduation. Her expertise includes flow cytometry, cell culture, mouse tissue extraction, and laboratory management. Outside the lab, she enjoys writing fiction, drawing, and 3D modeling.

Angie Feng is a junior at Dublin Jerome High School with a strong interest in pharmaceutical drug development, particularly in therapies targeting immune and inflammatory pathways. In the lab, she is developing research skills, learning laboratory techniques, and supporting ongoing research on CD8+ T cell function in cancer immunity. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing violin, cooking, and volunteering with STEM education programs.