• Former President of US HUPO (2018-2020)
• HUPO Proteomic Sciences Discovery Award
• Mallinckrodt Scholar
• NIDA Avant-Garde Award

A biochemist and neuroscientist by training, Todd returned to his home state of New Jersey in 2009 to join the Cristea lab for his postdoctoral work. Currently a Research Molecular Biologist, he works on multidisciplinary projects that harness mass spectrometry and bioinformatics to study the dynamics of protein complexes. When he’s not studying how protein interactions influence the development of Huntington’s disease, he’s mentoring students in the principles of proteomics and biochemistry. In his spare time, Todd enjoys cooking simple yet flavorful meals while pondering the art of mass spectrometry maintenance.

After surviving the humidity of Florida, the country music of Tennessee, and the brutal winters of Illinois, Jaime moved to New Jersey to further advance his training in analytical proteomics and to learn virology in the Cristea Lab. When not babysitting the mass spectrometers, Jaime enjoys exercising, board games with his friends, and giving attention to the best cat in the Cristea Lab.

Joshua completed his Ph.D in Virology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (where he was born and raised) and joined the Cristea lab in 2019 to study how viral infections are detected and combated by the host cell. Joshua enjoys gardening, fine whiskey, and the occasional D&D campaign with his labmates.

From Queens, New York, Krystal is pursuing her longstanding interests in intrinsic and innate immunity using an interdisciplinary approach. Krystal has an affinity for bunnies and rescuing animals in need, fossil hunting, rockhounding, road cycling, and playing Scrabble.

Bokai is from Tianjin, China, and did his undergrad in Tsinghua University in Beijing before coming to the Cristea lab to pursue a PhD and subsequently continue his projects as a postdoctoral researcher. He studies the function and regulation of the DNA sensor cGAS in innate immune signaling.  Outside the lab, Bokai is a guitar and ukulele player.

A lover of all things mitochondria, Cora is working to understand the battle between HCMV and host cells for control over cellular metabolism during infection. In her free time she loves hiking, camping, canoeing, trying new restaurants, knitting, and hanging out with her hamster (Sebastian).

Coming to Princeton from the Midwest and California, Will studies how viruses manipulate fundamental cellular processes. Outside of the lab, Will also enjoys exploring the outdoors, swimming, and reptiles.

James joins us at Princeton from Massachusetts. Here in the Cristea Lab, his interests lie in understanding how viruses manipulate their microenvironment to facilitate their spreading to nearby cells. Outside of the lab, James can be found making pizzas, taking weekend trips, or exercising his competitive spirit by playing games with friends.

After finishing his undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, Dawei came to Princeton to pursue his PhD. He focuses on the interactions between host and viruses, specifically how cells are able to sense invading viruses and mount effective innate immune responses. Dawei is a pro at badminton and an avid video game and board game player too!

Hailing from Minneapolis and Washington D.C., Peter is most interested in how virus-host interactions drive rearrangements in organelle structure and immune signaling during infection. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, golfing, and baking high-fat confections.

Originally from Bucheon, South Korea, Ji Woo is interested in studying the role of mitochondrial morphology in innate immune response and metabolic regulation. Outside of the lab, he enjoys golfing, gardening, and trying new coffee beans from local roasteries.

Originally from Illinois, Tavis came to Princeton to pursue his PhD. He is interested in developing computational tools for proteomics and is co-advised by Olga Troyanskaya. In his free time, he enjoys being bad at video games and sleeping in late.

Hailing from the great state of Michigan, Matt is a lover of all posttranslational modifications (PTMs). He is investigating host-virus interactions at the PTM regulatory interface, focusing on sirtuins and novel PTMs. Outside of the lab, he enjoys exercising and playing games with friends.

Jinhang grew up in a seaside city in China and completed her undergraduate degree at Wuhan University. She joins the Cristea lab to explore the crosstalk between DNA sensing and RNA sensing pathways in different viral infections, and the immune signaling transduction between subcellular localizations. Outside of the lab, she enjoys watching…

Originally from Seattle, WA, and the Big Island, HI, Sophia is interested in studying HCMV-induced peroxisome remodeling. Outside of the lab, she enjoys trail-running, cold brews, plants, and learning to play the ukulele.

Originally from Durham in the U.K., Laura is interested in using global protein-protein interaction methods to unveil mechanisms of organelle remodeling during viral infection. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and playing the ‘cello.

From West Des Moines, Iowa, Dorothy is an undergraduate student interested in how organelle remodeling alters immune signaling during HCMV infection. In her free time, she enjoys playing the viola, kayaking, and traveling.

Born and raised in Orlando, Florida (also known as Disney World), Victoria joined the Cristea Lab to study how metabolism interfaces with the immune response during viral infection. In her free time, she loves to dance, cook, and listen to music.