Current Members
Ed Seto, PhD
Associate Center Director for Basic Sciences at the GW Cancer Center
Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine at GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Ed Seto received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine. He completed his graduate Ph.D. work at the University of California, San Francisco, and held a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology at Princeton University. His interest is focused on the biology of HDACs. Outside of work, his favorite activity is hiking in the Alps.
Hongbo Ling, PhD
Research Scientist
Hongbo Ling completed his doctorate in Genetics from the Institute of Microbiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China. With an interest in the family of HDACs, his research is focused on the role of HDACs in carcinogenesis and their underlying mechanisms.
Changmin Peng, PhD
Postdoctoral Scientist
Changmin Peng received his Ph.D. from the Tianjin University of Science and Technology, in China. Currently, his research is focused on the functional role of HDAC11 mediated defatty-acylation and identifying the new substrates as well as related molecular mechanisms in metabolism. HDAC11 can regulate immune activation and tumorigenesis, yet its biochemical function is largely unknown. Recently HDAC11 was identified with efficient lysine defatty-acylase activity.
Hang Heng (Ada) Wong, PhD
Postdoctoral Scientist
Ada Wong obtained her doctorate degree in Structural Biology from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. Her current research focus is to study the impact of HDAC levels on the immuno-oncological interaction through droplet microfluidics in vitro and mouse models in vivo. Ada is a penguin in terms of hobby, a pig in terms of culinary taste and a dog in terms of friendship. She also has a green thumb for any plant that she happens not to kill.
Muhammad Jameel Mughal, PhD
Postdoctoral Scientist
Jameel has a diverse background in veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and cancer research. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Sindh Agriculture University, Pakistan, in 2013 and pursued his MPhil degree from the Sichuan Agricultural University, China, where he conducted groundbreaking research on Aflatoxin B1 induced apoptosis in hepatocytes via death receptor pathway. Jameel then joined the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Macau, where he completed his PhD in Biomedical sciences in 2022, working on the molecular mechanisms of MCM protein family and its interactome in promoting breast cancer progression. Currently, as a postdoctoral research scientist, Jameel is dedicated to elucidating the functions, mechanisms, and regulation of HDACs. His research aims to explore HDACs roles in health and diseases, particularly in cancer, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative strategies for cancer treatment. When not immersed in the laboratory, he enjoys his leisure time by engaging in sports like cricket, badminton, chess and exploring new destinations through traveling.
Jenna Clements
PhD Candidate
Jenna Clements is a PhD student in the Cancer Biology program with a specialization in molecular oncology. She is investigating the purpose of non-deacetylase functions of HDAC11 in cancers and is a T32 predoctoral scholar. Prior to beginning her PhD studies, she received her Bachelor's of Science degree from Lindenwood University. In her free time, Jenna enjoys biking around the DC region and is an avid runner.
TJ Laucevicius
PhD Candidate
TJ Laucevicius's long term research interests involve investigating and identifying histone modification epigenetics, metastasis-associated genes, how alterations in gene expression promote tumorigenesis, and dysregulated signaling associated with the progression of cancer. Specifically, he is exploring the biological role of HDAC11 fatty acylation substrates and their related molecular mechanisms in ovarian cancer. When not working in the lab, TJ enjoys spending time with his furry kids, playing tennis and basketball, and traveling!
Cara Barmore
Research Assistant/Lab Manager
Cara Barmore graduated from the University of Virginia in 2021 with a double major in Biology and Statistics. Currently, her research is focused on the possible regulatory ability of HDAC11 in the YAP pathway. Cara is new to DC and in her free time enjoys exploring the city.
Recent Lab Alumni
Ana Carolina Ghezzi Beghini, PhD
Research Scholar
Ana Carolina Ghezzi Beghini received her PhD in Sciences by the Medical Pathophysiology Program of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Campinas UNICAMP-Brazil. She has great interest in epigenetic pathways, and her research is currently focused on the functional role of HDAC11-mediated defatting-acylation as well as on identifying new substrates and evaluating if and how these substrates interfere with cellular growth, proliferation and apoptosis. When not working in the lab, Carol enjoys spending time running, walking in the city, and she loves to taste different types of food.
Tanya N. Augustine, PhD
Visiting Scholar
Tanya N. Augustine, Associate Professor at the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Tanya received her doctorate at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. She is exploring aspects of tumour immunology and tumour-associated thrombosis. Tanya has an interest in epigenetic pathways and is enjoying her visit to DC. In her free time Tanya enjoys reading, cooking and music.
Honorary Lab Members
