People

Feng Tang (Principal Investigator)

Email: tangfeng@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 311C

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida

Affiliated Professor, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering

Member of UF Health Cancer Center

Education and Training

2010–2014: B.S. , Wuhan University

2014–2020: Ph.D. , Wuhan University

2020–2024: Postdoc, University of California, Riverside

Dr. Tang's research focuses on using mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing techniques to explore how DNA damage and repair contribute to cancer and other human diseases, with the ultimate goal of extending healthy human lifespan. Dr. Tang has been awarded the prestigious NIH Pathway to Independence (K99/R00) Award. Outside the lab, Dr. Tang is a passionate tennis enthusiast and is excited to take advantage of Florida’s great tennis weather.

Rajina Shakya (Postdoctoral Associate)

Email: shakyarajina@ufl.edu    |   Office: CLB 114

B.Pharm, Purbanchaal University

M.Pharm, Yeungnam University 

Ph.D. in Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University

Post-doc, Houston Methodist Research Institute 

Post-doc, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

Rajina Shakya is a dedicated researcher with a strong passion for understanding the disease and improving its treatment. Her research journey began with studying drug metabolism by microbiota during her master’s, followed by investigating dopamine receptor D2's role in breast cancer apoptosis during her Ph.D., and later focusing on the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway in prostate cancer during her postdoc. In Dr. Feng Tang's lab, Rajina is committed to exploring new ideas and contributing to advancing research on cancer and other diseases.

Dheerajkumar L. Yadav (Graduate student)

Email: dl.yadav@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

BSc, Mumbai University

MSc, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

About me: Dheerajkumar L. Yadav (commonly known as Dheeraj) is a dedicated researcher from Mumbai, India, with a passion for scientific exploration. After completing his schooling in Mumbai, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Mumbai University. Dheeraj excelled in the IIT JAM exam, securing a place at IIT Kanpur, a renowned institution recognized globally for its research excellence. In addition to his academic pursuits, he enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and cooking, always seeking new experiences both in and out of the lab.

Gaurav Vishaila (Graduate student)

Email: g.vishaila@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

BSc, University of Delhi

MSc, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Hobby - Playing Cricket and Riding motorbike. 

Philosophy - The journey is more beautiful than destination.

Mariame Chibani (Graduate student)

Email: m.chibani@ufl.edu    |   Office: CLB 114

University of Strasbourg, France Mariame Chibani is a Master's student in Chemistry, Biology, and Drug Design at the University of Strasbourg. Currently, she is deepening her expertise by working in Dr. Tang's lab at the University of Florida, where her research focuses on DNA damage and repair mechanisms. With a background in organic synthesis and molecular biology, Mariame is particularly interested in understanding the molecular basis of genome instability and its links to diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders. Her current work involves advancing DNA damage sequencing, with a specific emphasis on quantifying and localizing deoxyinosine (dI) in the human genome, with potential therapeutic applications in cancer and genetic disorders. Outside of her academic work, Mariame has a passion for patisserie and stays active through weightlifting and basketball, which contribute to a balanced lifestyle and help her build resilience in both her research and personal life.

Nevaeh K. Stohl (Undergraduate student)

Email: stohlnevaeh@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Nevaeh is a current first-year undergraduate student at University of Florida pursuing a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. 

"Hello! My name is Nevaeh Stohl and I enjoy watching TV and playing beach volleyball."

Tue Tran (Undergraduate student)

Email: tuetran@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Tue is a current sophomore at University of Florida majoring in Biochemistry. He enjoys leisure activities such as making arts & crafts and playing videogames.

Marina Cheema (Undergraduate student)

Email: marina.cheema@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hi! My name is Marina and I am a first year Biochemistry major. During free time, I enjoy doing yoga, reading, and going to the beach. 

Lowell Werlinger (Undergraduate student)

Email: lwerlinger@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

I am a first year undergraduate student at UF majoring in biochemistry on the pre-med track.

I enjoy playing basketball and hanging out with my friends in my free time. 

Enrique Sobrino (Undergraduate student)

Email: e.sobrino@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Enrique is a current sophomore pursuing a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Pathogenesis. Some of his hobbies include reading, listening to music, and collecting vinyls. 

Arnav Kumbham (Undergraduate student)

Email: arnavkumbham@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hey! My name is Arnav and I’m a first year Biomedical Engineer on the pre-med track. You’ll usually find me on campus listening to music, reading a book, or in my second home, Marston. 

Jonah Wolgast (Undergraduate student)

Email: jwolgast@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hi, my name is Jonah Wolgast and I am a second year chemistry major at the University of Florida. In my free time I enjoy playing music and spending time with friends. 

Leah Krawczuk (Undergraduate student)

Email: leahkrawczuk@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hey! My name is Leah Krawczuk and I am a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida, pursuing a double major in both Health Sciences and Chemistry. In my free time, I enjoy figure skating and reading. 

Ethan Brown (Undergraduate student)

Email: brown.ep@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hi! My name is Ethan Brown and I am a first year at the University of Florida. I am studying biology  on a pre-med track. I am from New Jersey and enjoy playing soccer, pickleball, and watching sports! 

Taylor Mitchell (Undergraduate student)

Email: taylor.mitchell@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hi! My name is Taylor Mitchell and I am a first year Biology major on the pre-dental track. I am from near Chicago, Illinois and in my free time I like to drink coffee, play pickleball, and go to the gym. 

Katie Natour (Undergraduate student)

Email: k.natour@ufl.edu   |   Office: CLB 114

Hey! My name is Katie, and I'm a second year biochemistry student on the pre-med track. In my free time, I enjoy going to coffee shops, running, and hanging out with friends.