Principal Investigator
David DeNardo, PhD
Graduate Students
Jessica Alexander
Jessica Alexander
Jessica Alexander
PhD Student
MCB Program
alexander.j.m @ wustl.edu
I study Kras and its interaction with the tumor microenviorment. Outside of the lab I enjoy drawing and painting, listening to music, playing the trumpet, thrifting and antiquing, and trying new things!
Jie Chen
Jessica Alexander
Jessica Alexander
PhD Student
MGG Program
chen.jie1 @ wustl.edu
I study how to harness radiation therapy (RT)-induced immunogenic cell death to treat PDAC. Outside of the lab, you’ll find me playing the piano, trying new restaurants, playing video and board games, and spending time with my cat.
Alice Kao
Jessica Alexander
Blake Sells
PhD Student
MGG Program
akao @ wustl.edu
I study immune TMEs across primary and metastatic PDAC, particularly focusing on the macrophage population. Outside of the lab, I like running, hiking and spending time with my cat.
Blake Sells
Jessica Alexander
Blake Sells
MD/PhD Student
Cancer Biology Program
blake.sells @ wustl.edu
I study how cancer-associated fibrosis and cancer-associated fibroblast phenotypes are modulated in the setting of immunotherapy and the resulting impact this remodeling has in the creation of an effective anti-tumor immune response. Outside of lab, I love to read, try new restaurants, and learn new sports.
Dev Sen
Alyssa Weinstein
Maddie Turner
PhD Student
MCBProgram
d.sen @ wustl.edu
I am studying how stromal senescence and metabolic changes influence anti-tumor immune responses and metastasis. Outside of the lab, I enjoy biking, listening to music, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Maddie Turner
Alyssa Weinstein
Maddie Turner
MD/PhD Student
Cancer Biology Program
m.c.turner @ wustl.edu
I am studying how to improve efficacy of radiation therapy in PDAC by combining radiation with other targeted therapies. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, running in Forest Park, cooking/baking, playing board games, and going to concerts/live music!
Alyssa Weinstein
Alyssa Weinstein
Alyssa Weinstein
PhD Student
Cancer Biology Program
agweinstein @ wustl.edu
I study dendritic cell differences at the primary and metastatic sites of PDAC. Outside of the lab, you will find me at the CrossFit gym, running around Forest Park, cooking or baking, hiking with my dog, or cuddling on the couch with my cat!
Faculty & Staff
Brett Knolhoff
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Lab Manager
bknolhoff @ wustl.edu
I am the lifeblood of this lab, managing the mouse colony as well as everyday operations large and small. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids. I am an avid sports fan, Go UK Wildcats! In my free time I enjoy playing golf with the guys.
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pathology & Immunology
kangl @ wustl.edu
I am a board-certified anatomic pathologist. In the DeNardo Lab, I am studying the tumor microenvironment of liver metastases in pancreaticcancer. Outside of lab, I enjoy collecting recipes, reading cookbooks and baking blogs/newsletters, and baking.
Usman Panni, MD
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Usman Panni, MD
Surgical Oncology Resident
usmanypanni @ wustl.edu
Utilizing novel immunotherapeutic strategies to modulate tumor microenvironment in lung cancer.
Faiz Ahmad, PhD
Liang-I Kang, MD, PhD
Usman Panni, MD
Staff Scientist
afaiz @ wustl.edu
I conduct clinical biopsies for research, train scientists, design experiments, and analyze data across various projects and collaborations. Outside the lab, I’m passionate about music, books, and nature
Emily Butka, PhD
Emily Butka, PhD
Emily Butka, PhD
Bioinformaticist
ebutka @ wustl.edu
I lead bioinformatics, data analysis and data management across trainees and projects. In my free time I serve as a bench scientist in my kitchen, trying and testing new and favorite recipes.
Olivia Dres
Emily Butka, PhD
Emily Butka, PhD
Research Technician
d.olivia @ wustl.edu
To some, I am the mIHC expert; to others, I’m Olivia. I joined the DeNar-Dogs as an American Cancer Society DiCR Intern nearly three years ago and now work full-time. Currently, I work on a myriad of projects, helping others in lab, as well as independent projects. I am currently studying for th
Research Technician
d.olivia @ wustl.edu
To some, I am the mIHC expert; to others, I’m Olivia. I joined the DeNar-Dogs as an American Cancer Society DiCR Intern nearly three years ago and now work full-time. Currently, I work on a myriad of projects, helping others in lab, as well as independent projects. I am currently studying for the MCAT, as I want to pursue an MD-PhD, but when I have free time, I enjoyed reading, backpacking, and traveling.
Claire Ku
Emily Butka, PhD
Sarah Baek
Undergraduate Research Student
Biology and Anthropology: Global Health and Environment
claireku @ wustl.edu
I am an undergraduate student at WashU and aspiring future physician. I joined the lab through the American Cancer Society DiCR Program and am currently studying immune profiles of the PDAC TME with my bench mentor, Maddie. In my
Undergraduate Research Student
Biology and Anthropology: Global Health and Environment
claireku @ wustl.edu
I am an undergraduate student at WashU and aspiring future physician. I joined the lab through the American Cancer Society DiCR Program and am currently studying immune profiles of the PDAC TME with my bench mentor, Maddie. In my spare time, I love to explore the outdoors, play the piano, and dance.
Sarah Baek
Emily Butka, PhD
Sarah Baek
Undergraduate Student
Biology and Psychological & Brain Sciences
baek.s.s @ wustl.edu
I'm a current undergraduate student at Washington University working part-time to support the gavage team. In my free time, I love drawing, playing the saxophone, and trying new video games.
Real DeNar-DOGS (And Cats)
Snowball
Snowball
Snowball
Bean
Snowball
Snowball
Cleo
Snowball
Cleo
Hank
Snowball
Cleo
Coconut
Coconut
Coconut
Tanner
Coconut
Coconut
Duke
Coconut
Happy
Happy
Coconut
Happy
Scout
Franklin
Scout
Rosco
Franklin
Scout