People

Nathalie received her Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and Immunology from Fordham University in 1998, joined the Darnell lab in 2000 and is currently a Senior Research Associate. Her research involves studying mechanisms underlying autoimmunity and tumor immunity in diseases such as Paraneoplastic Neurologic Disorders and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Favorite pastimes outside the lab include cooking, knitting and bicycling.

Erin completed her PhD studies in the laboratory of Jim Manley at Columbia University. Her research interests center on the regulation of gene expression in the brain through the actions of multi-RNA binding protein assemblies that are prone to aggregation. She is investigating how combinatorial miRNA-associated protein complexes can effect differential outcomes of mRNA translation and decay in neurons. Outside the lab, she enjoys going to shows with friends, traveling, rowing and running.

Marie has a strong background in public administration with an MPA from Baruch College, which she earned in 2017. Her dedication to the Rockefeller community spans an impressive 24 years. Since joining the Darnell lab as the Lab Administrator in 2018, she has leveraged her organizational skills to ensure the lab operates efficiently and effectively. Outside of work, Marie enjoys spending time at the beach, walking, and exploring New York City. She also has a passion for travel and makes a point to visit her homeland, Ireland, annually.

Dr. Darnell is a physician scientist who has pioneered next-generation approaches to understanding RNA genomics in human disease. His research interests began with studies of naturally occurring tumor immunity, autoimmunity, and neurodegeneration present in patients with rare brain disorders. His lab discovered the existence of neuron-specific systems for RNA regulation in the brain and subsequently developed new molecular approaches (CLIP) to understand their role in neurons and their link to intellectual function and human disease. Dr. Darnell joined Rockefeller University in 1992 as Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology and is currently a senior physician at Rockefeller University Hospital. In 2002, he became the Robert and Harriet Heilbrunn Professor of Cancer Biology and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). Dr. Darnell is Founding Director and CEO Emeritus of the New York Genome Center, and is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine (2010), the National Academy of Sciences (2014), and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019).

Michael completed his PhD in Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as an HHMI Gilliam Fellow, where he studied how deletions in the NRXN1 gene impacted cell-type-specific synaptic function. His current work focuses on how alternative splicing, mediated by RNA-binding proteins, regulates synaptic function and plasticity. Outside the lab, Michael enjoys exploring the city, playing soccer, and trying new restaurants with his wife!

Sarah completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Maine in 2023, then joined the Darnell lab as a graduate student in 2024. Her research focuses on the roles of RNA and RNA binding proteins during T cell activation and proliferation. When not in lab, she enjoys running, Pilates, and bopping around the city!

Mayu is a nurse practitioner and has been with the Darnell lab since 1999. As a clinical researcher, her projects focuses on developing and expanding clinical uses of constitutional and cancer genomics across different patient populations. In her spare time she enjoys going on road trips with her family.

Xavier is an MD-PhD student in the Tri-Institutional Program that joined the Darnell Lab in 2024 under the co-mentorship of Dr. Christina Leslie. His research interest is on the intersection of machine learning, neuroscience, and brain cancer, with a particular interest in applying computational approaches to better understand neuro-oncological conditions. Clinically, Xavier is interested in neurosurgery and its potential to address complex brain disorders. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys working out and exploring NYC with friends.

Krithi Irmady is a movement disorders neurologist and physician-scientist. Her research focuses on RNA regulation in Parkinson’s disease and its link to clinical manifestations of the disease. She is also exploring the potential of blood RNA signatures for Parkinson’s disease prognosis. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, visiting museums, reading, and birdwatching.

Emily received her B.A. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Barnard College in 2023 where her research focused on mechanisms of inhibiting proliferation in certain virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. She joined the Darnell lab as a research assistant the same year, where her work has mainly focused on understanding protein interactions in neurons using proximity labeling strategies. Outside of lab, Emily enjoys exploring the city and attending music and theatre performances.

Camille joined the lab in 2023, bringing experience from her previous role at an environmental lab. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore new places, or relax at home with her dog.

Daniel graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and joined the Darnell lab as a graduate student in 2022. He is co-mentored with Dr. Nathaniel Heintz. His research focuses on uncovering cell type-specific RBP-mediated RNA regulation in human brain samples. Outside the lab, he enjoys running in the city and playing pickleball.

Dana Orange graduated from Cornell University where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College, elected there to Alpha Omega Alpha. She trained as an intern, resident and assistant chief resident in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell Campus and completed a rheumatology fellowship at Hospital Special Surgery where she is currently appointed as Assistant Attending. She joined Rockefeller University as a Clinical Scholar and is now Assistant Professor of Clinical Investigation, Chief Rockefeller Early Phase Physician Scientist, and Co-Chair of the Association of Clinical and Translational Science Committee. She focuses on applying cellular immunology and longitudinal genomics to gain insights into rheumatologic disease.

Salina received her Master’s from Kagawa University, Japan and joined the Darnell Lab in 2006. She is currently working on a clinical research study involving genomics. During her down time, she is an avid yogi and a rising star at Tim’s gym fitness classes!

Rizwana earned her PhD from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Her dissertation explored the functional status of mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease, where she elucidated the intricate interplay between iron metabolism and the integrity of the inner mitochondrial membrane. She became a member of the Darnell lab in June 2019. Currently, her research delves into RNA regulation in the context of Parkinson’s disease. When not immersed in her scientific pursuits, Rizwana witnesses the beauty of life unfolding with her family- her joyful daughter (a miraculous presence that reveals new delights with each passing moment), and her husband with whom she practices perfecting the exquisite art of Kashmiri cuisine.