Lab Members

Alexander Knyshov, Ph.D.

aknyshov@bu.edu

My project is focused on unraveling cell-specific mechanisms of AD progression and contributing to large-scale efforts to decipher the genetic component of Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, I am applying computational methods to brain RNA sequencing data with the aim of discovering the links between non-coding and circular RNAs and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. One of my specific research interests is developing and executing novel computational pipelines for DNA and RNA sequence data analysis. My prior research experience is in evolutionary genomics and bioinformatics and spans a wide range of species from insects to mammals. In my free time, I like to hike, bike, tinker with electronics, and play musical instruments.

Habbiburr Rehman, Ph.D.

hrbstat@bu.edu

During my Ph.D. training, my research interests include understanding survival models and their applications in medical, biological, and clinical trials. I was particularly interested in investigating the effect of competing risks on subject survival using the parametric models with both conventional and Bayesian statistical approaches. During my postdoc training, I have been analyzing plasma and CSF proteomics data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) and Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohorts to identify new biomarkers for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Currently, I am working on longitudinal FreeSurfer brain MRI data to investigate new disease subtypes and stages using robust statistical methods.

Mintao Lin, M.D.,& M.S. (Bioinformatics)

minty@bu.edu

Nicholas O’Neill, Ph.D. Candidate.

Bioinformatics (co-mentored with Dr. Farrer)

nkoneill@bu.edu

Single-Cell sequencing analysis, Alzheimer’s disease progression, gene regulation and epigenetics

Zainab Khurshid

zainabk@bu.edu

Alzheimer’s disease and genomics

Tong Tong

tongt@bu.edu

Identification of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease through statistical, genetic, and functional genomic approaches.

Oluwatosin Olayinka, Ph.D. Candidate, Bioinformatics (co-mentored with Dr. Farrer)

oaolayin@bu.edu

Use of statistical methods to uncover transcriptional mediators of Alzheimer’s disease pathology.

Francis Grenn, Ph.D. Candidate, Bioinformatics

fgrennjr@bu.edu

Gene regulation and epigenetics, neurodegenerative disease genomics

Junming Hu, Ph.D. Candidate, Bioinformatics

hjunming@bu.edu

Alzheimer’s disease, machine learning, genetics, particularly circular RNA and RNA modification in single nucleotide resolution

nkurnia@bu.edu

Congcong Zhu, M.S.

Senior Data Analyst

zhucc@bu.edu

CongCong performs multiple statistical analyses. Her work deals with developing bioinformatics pipelines for NIH funded projects, studying the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease and addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and opioids. CongCong also harmonizes and cleans phenotype and genotype data.

Jenny Empawi

jaempawi@bu.edu

Jenny implements various bioinformatic analysis strategies for multiple ongoing and emerging epidemiology, genetics, and genomics projects in Alzheimer’s Disease.  It involves directing the development and maintenance of genome-wide association analysis (GWAS), testing, and utilizing new software and tools, modifying them as needed to adapt to specific research needs, and also pipeline training.

chdoan@bu.edu

Identify pathways modulated by C-reactive protein (CRP) interaction with APOE genotype in peripheral blood, and build a pipeline for spatial transcriptomics data, study cell-cell communication in AD.

With a background in pharmacy and human genetics/bioinformatics. I am interested in aging-related diseases by analyzing multi-omics data, and applying machine learning methods. Outside of work, I play the electronic piano and tennis. I retired from badminton after about 22 years of playing.

Data Analyst