Lab member

Tim Zhang is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and the Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism. His research focuses on using microRNA-based therapeutics and stem cell–derived extracellular vesicles to target cellular senescence and age-related tissue dysfunction. He has identified both senolytic and senomorphic microRNAs and is interested in translating these findings into treatments for chronic diseases of aging.

Fernando is interested in the physiological role of somatic stem cell niches from the perspective of aging and age-related disease, and in particular how extracellular vesicles (and their cargoes) secreted by stem cells regulate cellular senescence.  He also is identifying miRNAs that contribute to initiating or maintaining the senescent cell state.  Fernando enjoys rediscovering the wonder of the world through his son, Ian's eyes.  Fernando is an aficionado of traditional Tango music, collects late 19th- to early 20th-century British and French meerschaum and briar pip

Ellen is the Lab Manager for both the Robbins and Niedernhofer research labs. She manages daily lab operations under the direction of the Director of Internal Operations for MIBAM. Her outside interests include spending time with her husband and adult twins, sewing and crafting, and many active outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, gardening, or just going for a scenic drive.

Chastity Healy, B.S. joined the Robbins lab in 2025 as Project Manager for the Nathan Shock Center of Excellence on Genome Integrity and Aging.  She managed a cardiac physiology lab for 21 years and from this brings a wealth of project management experience and a love for interacting with all the key players in academic science in order to foster a collaborative, productive, and welcoming environment.

Blake is interested in clarifying how senescence-associated disease works on a molecular level, with research projects that bridge organic chemistry and biology.  Specifically, he's investigating a battery of free-radical derived reactive lipids produced abundantly in adipose during obesity/aging as mediators of senescence.  To this end, he uses L-carnosine, a dipeptide scavenger of reactive lipids, to probe molecular signatures associated with adipose senescence and highlight a potential therapeutic strategy to alleviating age- and obesity-associated senescence. 

Qiuming's research interests lie in the fields of aging, cellular reprogramming, and rejuvenation. Specifically, his work is focused on identifying biomarkers involved in partial reprogramming and investigating their mechanisms in rejuvenation. He also has a strong interest in exploring epigenetic changes and miRNA that regulate cellular senescence and natural aging. In addition to sharing his perspectives on aging with friends, Qiuming enjoys engaging in various sports activities as well as listening to music and playing video games.

Xiuli’s research focuses on the study of aging hallmarks, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy regulation in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Xiuli enjoys traveling with family and friends, oil painting and writing in her free time.

Representative publications:

Dan X, Babbar M, Moore A, Wechter N, Tian J, Mohanty JG, et al. DNA damage invokes mitophagy through a pathway involving Spata18. Nucleic acids research. 2020;48:6611-23.

Louise Pitcher is studying the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that drive aging, cellular senescence, and tissue rejuvenation. Her research focuses on how transcriptional and chromatin landscapes become altered with age and how we may revert these alterations through the use of epigenetic modulating compounds.

Allancer’s research focuses on identifying new senotherapeutic and secretagogue compounds, such as bitter taste receptor agonists and natural flavonoids. He also investigates how specific miRNAs modulate cellular senescence. Outside of the lab, Allancer enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring new cultures through travel.

Representative Publications: