Mandana Arbab, PhD

Manda Arbab is an expert in gene editing technologies and neurogenetics who builds gene-based therapeutics for neurological disease, and uses genome editing to uncover mechanisms of neuropathology. She completed her undergraduate and master's studies at the University of Amsterdam, where she became fascinated by how slight genetic changes rewrite a cell's fate. She earned her PhD at the Hubrecht Institute and Utrecht University, training with Dr. Niels Geijsen on iPSC models of motor neuron disease and developing Self-Cloning CRISPR to streamline gene editing strategy validation. She then joined Dr. David Liu's lab at the Broad Institute as an NWO Rubicon fellow and NIH/NINDS K99/R00 awardee, building high-throughput genome-integrated platforms to measure CRISPR tool behavior across thousands of synthetic targets. This defined how target sequence, DNA repair, and editor design shape editing outcomes, yielding the predictive models inDelphi and BE-Hive that guide precision genome editing strategy design, and enabled the development of new editors with novel function. She has applied these insights to develop genome editing therapeutics for genetic neurological disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Huntington's disease (HD), and Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA).

Manda is the Lodish Family Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, a member of the Rosamund Stone Zander and Hansjoerg Wyss Translational Neuroscience Center, and associate member of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. She leads a team developing genome editing therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases and intellectual and developmental disorders (IDDs), and works on the safe and effective translation of these therapies from bench to bedside. On the basic-science side, her group combines genome editing technology development, functional genomics, and neuroscience to trace how genetic mutations drive neuropathology and uncover biological insights that point toward new therapeutic targets. She cares deeply about mentorship and about building a collaborative lab culture that brings together trainees from molecular biology, neuroscience, and computational backgrounds to tackle technology development, disease biology, and translational medicine side by side.

Curriculum vitae

Current group members

Kwangjun Lee

Role Postdoctoral fellow
Education PhD Biomedical Science, Florida State University
Research interests I have created mutant cell and mouse models by CRISPR-mediated homology-directed repair to investigate functional short sequence motifs in circadian clock genes. My goal is to broaden my expertise in genome editing therapeutics, aiming to cure and treat genetic disorders in cell and animal models of human diseases.
Hobbies I am a passionate sports fan. Currently, I enjoy playing tennis and golf. Additionally, I enjoy spending time at the gym and swimming to stay active and fit.
Fun fact In 2022, I made a hole-in-one, we believed that it brings good fortune for three years! It is still valid!!
Andrea Bianchi

Role Postdoctoral fellow

Education PhD Translational and Molecular Medicine, Milan

Research interests Genome editing is my passion. I transitioned to cancer immunology, exploring the role of B cells in cancer and became an expert in genetically modifying these cells for innovative cell therapies. My interests further include the tumor microenvironment mechanisms of aging.

Hobbies Good food, organizing social gathering, perfume making.

Favorite quote Your self respect has to be stronger than your feelings.
Mikey Chatigny

Role Program Coordinator II
Education B.S. Psychology/English
Research interests: Neuropathology, Histology
Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Gaming, Snowboarding
Favorite quote: Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.
Jing Zhao

Role Data Analyst
Education M.S. in Bioinformatics from Northeastern University
Research interests My work focuses on designing and optimizing computational workflows for high-throughput biological data analysis, including creating pipelines for CRISPR screening, and RNA-seq analysis, to solve complex biological problems and contribute to the understanding of human health, diseases, and genomics.
Favorite activities Tennis and hiking.
Favorite quote Work hard, play hard.
Adrian Quintana

Role: Research Assistant
Education: B.A in Neuroscience and Latino & Latina Studies at Vanderbilt University
Research interests: Neurodegenerative diseases, translational research especially in the field of neurology
Hobbies: Running, Cooking
Favorite activity: Sitting outside and soaking up the sun.
Currently watching/reading: Modern Family
Favorite quote: “You are made for this moment. You have what it takes to meet it and meet it you must.”
Adam Eckardt

Role: Harvard Biological & Biomedical Science (BBS) PhD Student

Education: B.S. Pharmacology & Toxicology, B.S. Biochemistry
Research interests: I am fascinated by the power of emerging gene editing technologies and their potential to reshape our approach to neurodegenerative disease. My work centers on engineering genetic tools that not only expand our understanding of disease biology but also lay the groundwork for future therapeutic breakthroughs.
Hobbies: Chess, Golf & Powerlifting
Favorite quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” – Arthur C. Clarke