Lab Members
Colin Conine Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
PhD: Molecular Biology And Genetics.
University Of Massachusetts, Medical School, 2014.
Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry
University Of Rochester, 2007.
Colin Conine is an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Division of Neonatology), as well as a faculty member of the Penn Epigenetics Institute and Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health. Colin completed his Ph.D. in the laboratory of Craig Mello at UMass Medical School where he worked on the function of endogenous small RNA pathways regulating thermotolerant male fertility in C. elegans. Colin went on to complete his postdoctoral training in Oliver Rando’s lab also at UMass Medical where he was a Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow. During this time he demonstrated that sperm-transmitted small RNAs in mice are able to regulate embryonic gene expression and development in offspring. In the process, he found that small RNAs are shipped from the epididymis to maturing sperm via exosomes, establishing a novel soma-to-germline transfer of epigenetic information in mammals.
About Colin
Natalie Trigg Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Biological Sciences
University Of Newcastle 2021.
Bachelors of Biotechnology
The University Of Newcastle, 2016
About Natalie
Natalie Trigg received her Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) (2016) and PhD (2021) from the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive
Science at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Natalie completed her PhD in the laboratory of Professor Brett Nixon where she investigated the impact of paternal environmental exposure on the sperm small RNA profile. Specifically, her research investigated the impact of exposure to the xenobiotic, acrylamide during epididymal transit, on the sperm small RNA profile and how exposure mediates changes in the sperm small RNA profile and the consequences of delivering an altered small RNA profile to the oocyte.
Liana Savarirayan
Research Technician
Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience
Johns Hopkins University, 2021.
About Liana
Liana Savarirayan is a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University where she completed her Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. During her undergraduate, she was involved in research at Kennedy Krieger Institute's Schizophrenia lab. Her previous research focused on bone graft implantation in mice in order to study effective spinal fusion methods at Johns Hopkins Medical Campus. She gained an interest in research work through these experiences and she hopes to continue to gain more experience in this field. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Nick Galambos
Graduate Student
Bachelors of Science in Biology
West Chester University, 2016.
About Nick
Nick Galambos is the first graduate student in the Conine lab. He received his B.S., summa cum laude, from West Chester University as a Biology major and Chemistry minor. Nick is very interested in RNA biology and ultimately wants to obtain a faculty position at a primarily undergraduate university. Outside of lab, Nick enjoys gardening, fly fishing, and spending time with his family.
Grace Lee
Graduate Student
Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry
Trinity University, 2016
About Grace
Grace is a PhD student from the Pharmacology Graduate Group interested in the role of small RNAs in early development and epigenetic inheritance. She received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Trinity University in 2019. Outside of the lab, Grace enjoys nature, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.
Lexie Schneider
Graduate Student
Bachelors of Science in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
University of Maryland, 2020
About Lexie
Lexie graduated in 2020 from the University of Maryland with a BS in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and spent a year before grad school doing a postbacc at NIH. Her past research was on the regulation of small noncoding RNAs by RNA binding proteins. Her research interests mainly include where RNA biology and epigenetics intersect. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading and exploring Philadelphia.
Katrin Gross
Undergraduate
In Process: Bachelors of Art in Biology,
The University of Pennsylvania, 2023.
About Katrin
Katrin Gross is a current undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania where she is majoring in Biology. She is interested in development, epigenetics, and reproductive biology, and she ultimately hopes to pursue a PhD to further explore these fields. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and musical theater.
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Linda Chen
Undergraduate
In process: Bachelors of Science in Biology,
The University of Pennsylvania, 2025
About Linda
Linda Chen is a current undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania where she is majoring in Biology. She is interested in IVF, assisted reproductive techniques, and ICSI, and hopes to pursue a career as a clinical embryologist. In her free time, she loves to learn new taekwondo moves, and binge watch good shows and tiktok videos late at night.