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Meet the Lab

Principal Investigator
M. Eric Kohler, MD, PhD
MD/PhD: Medical College of Wisconsin
Residency: Johns Hopkins, Pediatrics (2014)
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2017)
Fellowship: National Cancer Institute, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2018)

Instructor
Cathy Danis, PhD
I was born and raised in San Diego, where I developed an early passion for biology and a strong interest in advancing cancer therapies. This interest led me to graduate school, where I earned my PhD in Cancer Biology, studying metabolic vulnerabilities and evolutionary dynamics of tumor cells. My current research centers on understanding how CAR T cell metabolism shapes cellular function and therapeutic efficacy. When I’m not in the lab, I love trying new restaurants, cooking, going to the gym, and spending time with my family (especially at baseball games). Go Padres!

Lab Manager
Amanda Novak, BS
I earned a bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology from UW-Madison and then, worked in a lab where I learned basic lab techniques as well as gained tons of mouse work experience. To escape the cold and gloomy Midwest winters, I moved to Colorado and now have been a part of Eric’s lab for over 4 years focusing on improving CAR T cell efficacy in solid tumors, while also overseeing mouse work, supplies, and occasionally, sanity— often in that order.
Outside of lab, I am probably playing disc golf, camping with friends, or cuddling on the couch with my cat, Beth, pictured above right before getting her nails trimmed, hence why she’s wrapped like a burrito.

PhD Candidate
Angie Vazquez, BS
I didn’t know what else to do after graduating from college, so I started a PhD and joined the Kohler Lab for the vibes. Ha, actually, I worked as a research assistant in Seattle, WA, developing cellular immunotherapies for cancer, and I loved it so much that I decided to pursue a PhD in the field. My research in the Kohler lab focuses on how immune synapse formation affects CAR T-cell antigen sensitivity and persistence, to advance the design of CAR T-cell therapies. When I am not busy with experiments or wrangling data (and occasionally my cats), I love playing volleyball, dancing to K-pop beats, and bringing my favorite characters to life through cosplay. Catch me dancing in our tissue culture room ✌🏼

Clinical Research Fellow
Taylor Wellock, MD
I am a clinical fellow in pediatric hematology/oncology at Children's and I have an interest in novel therapeutic agents for solid tumors. My current research is investigating signaling in B7H3 CAR-T cells in osteosarcoma. I hope to apply my experience in basic science research to a career in clinical trials in the future. Outside of medicine, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time outside hiking, camping, and skiing.

Professional Research Assistant
Joshua Michlin
Growing up, I was always asking “why?” and “how?”. As an adult, I guess that’s one thing that I never grew out of. This trait sparked my passion for science, particularly biology, at a very young age. I am thrilled to get to learn and grow (and annoy my colleagues with my never-ending questions) every day at work. California transplant, living in Colorado with my fiancé and our cat, Princess Leia.
Past Lab Members
Alex Rankin, MD
Kaylyn Lyons, MD
Haley Simpson, MD, PhD
Ashley Wu, PhD
Phoebe Goodbar, PharmD
