Lab Members
Dr. Gilad Barshad
Gilad is interested in understanding how genetic variation in non-coding, regulatory regions of the genome is conected to phenotype. His scientific journey began in Dan Mishmar's lab at Ben-Gurion University, where he explored mitochondrial-nuclear co-regulation. He later joined Charles Danko's lab at Cornell University, where he delved into the interplay between transcriptional regulation and 3D genome organization. In October 2024, Gilad joined the Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology at the Technion's Faculty of Medicine.
Outside the lab, Gilad enjoys camping and hiking with his family, swimming, and immersing himself in fiction novels. A fun fact: during his teenage years, Gilad was a competitive swimmer and even earned podium finishes at the Israeli national championship.
Dr. Yara Knany
Yara is a passionate molecular biologist dedicated to uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying human disorders. She completed her Ph.D. at the Technion's Faculty of Medicine in the labs of Zaher Azzam and Zaid Abassi, where she focused on cardiovascular disease, specifically the pathologies associated with myocardial infarction and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Yara has an extensive research experience, seamlessly combining in vivo models with advanced in vitro techniques and a deep understanding of molecular biology. Committed to expanding her knowledge and mentoring the next generation of scientists, she is a central driving force behind our lab's success.
Outside the lab, Yara enjoys playing the violin, which allows her to unwind and express herself creatively. This passion provides a sense of balance and inspiration, harmonizing perfectly with her scientific endeavors.
Maria Panfilova
Ph.D. Student
Maria is a curious PhD student eager to explore the intricate link between transcriptional dynamics and the spatial organization of the genome during cell differentiation. She brings a strong background in wet molecular biology techniques, including extensive experience with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, complemented by skills in computational data analysis.
Prior to her doctoral studies, Maria worked as a research associate at Ufa Federal Research Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, where she conducted independent research on plant transcription factors and developed transgenic plants to enhance anthocyanin production.
Beyond the world of scientific discovery, Maria enjoys videogames and is passionate about bringing history to life through historical reconstruction, exploring the Viking Age and Medieval periods of European history.