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Research Overview

My background involves disease modeling, primarily of the central nervous system, using pluripotent stem cell sources. I have conducted basic research, drug discovery, and translational approaches using stem cell technologies in both academia and industry settings. As Assistant Director of cellular differentiation at the Human Neuron Core, my function will be to lead processes for the specification of diverse cell lineages in the CNS/PNS using human induced pluripotent stem cells. Overall, my goal is to develop cutting edge technologies and diverse cellular platforms to provide high quality, physiologically relevant, and functional models to support institution-wide research initiatives in neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders. I look forward to bringing a collaborative spirit, and I hope to provide an integral contribution to the greater BCH community.

I began my research career investigating a pediatric motor neuron disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), in the lab of my research mentor, Dr. Wenlan Wang, at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children. I then moved on to studying an adult motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic Later Sclerosis (ALS), in the labs of Dr. Hynek Wichterle and Dr. Christopher Henderson at Columbia University Medical Center. After a few years, I transitioned into a staff role as section manager of neural differentiation and iPSC generation at the Columbia University Stem Cell Core facility, under the direction of Dr. Barbara Corneo. From there, I moved into a management role at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute in the lab of Dr. Lee Rubin before transitioning into industry roles at the cell therapy companies Sigilon Therapeutics and Neurona Therapeutics. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Boston College and a Master’s degree in Biobehavioral Neuroscience from Columbia University.

Selected Publications

  1. Applying Deep Neural Network Analysis to High-Content Image-Based Assays. Yang SJ, Lipnick SL, Makhortova NR, Venugopalan S, Fan M, Armstrong Z, Schlaeger TM, Deng L, Chung WK, O'Callaghan L, Geraschenko A, Whye D, Berndl M, Hazard J, Williams B, Narayanaswamy A, Ando DM, Nelson P, Rubin LL. SLAS Discov. 2019 Sep;24(8):829-841.
  2. Efficient differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into motor neurons. Wu CY, Whye D, Mason RW, Wang W.Wu CY, et al. Among authors: whye d. J Vis Exp. 2012 Jun 9;(64):e3813.
  3. Proteomic assessment of a cell model of spinal muscular atrophy. Wu CY, Whye D, Glazewski L, Choe L, Kerr D, Lee KH, Mason RW, Wang W. BMC Neurosci. 2011 Mar 8;12:25.
  4. Targeting nonclassical oncogenes for therapy in T-ALL. Subramaniam PS, Whye DW, Efimenko E, Chen J, Tosello V, De Keersmaecker K, Kashishian A, Thompson MA, Castillo M, Cordon-Cardo C, Davé UP, Ferrando A, Lannutti BJ, Diacovo TG. Cancer Cell. 2012 Apr 17;21(4):459-72.