Lab Members

Astrid holds an MD degree from the University of Vienna (Austria) and a PhD from the University of Basel (Switzerland). During her time as a graduate student in Dr. Witek Filipowicz’ group, Astrid focused on microRNA(miRNA)-mediated gene silencing and discovered that TRBP is a protein partner of human Dicer. As a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Greg Hannon at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), Astrid identified a novel nuclease -Zucchini/PLD6- that generates primary piRNAs in flies and mammals. In 2015, Astrid joined the NIDDK/NIH-IRP as a Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator and achieved tenure in 2023. Together with a team of enthusiastic young scientists, she continues to investigate mechanisms of small RNA-based genome surveillance using a multidisciplinary approach.

• NIH Intramural Research Program: Principal Investigators in RNA Biology
• NIH Intramural Research Program: Principal Investigators in Developmental Biology
• NIH Catalyst: Trans-NIH Recruits, February 2017
• NIH Catalyst: Balancing a Scientific Career with Raising a Family

PhD - School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Qingcai’s graduate work focused on regulatory mechanisms that control floral organ development in rice. Her project focuses on mechanisms of nuclear RNA export in piRNA biology. Outside the lab, Qingcai likes to play and grow flowers.

Ph.D. – NIH-GPP with the University of Patras (Greece)
MSc - University of Patras, Greece

Thenia studies the mechanisms of piRNA biogenesis and piRNA-mediated gene silencing in Drosophila ovaries. Outside the lab, she is a space enthusiast, fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. She also enjoys reading and outdoor activities with friends.

Ph.D. – Charles University, Prague

During my graduate studies in Dr. Petr Svoboda’s lab, I investigated the biological importance of the piRNA pathway in the mammalian female germline. My current work studies the piRNA pathway from a genomics and mechanistic perspective. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking in nature and good beer with friends.

Graduate student, NIH graduate partnership with University of Maryland, College Park
M.Sc. in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University

Alex develops computations tools used in the lab, provides data analysis and training for the team members. His research includes analysis of differences in piRNA biogenesis between fly and mouse. Outside of the lab Alex likes jogging, using Linux based computer systems and training his cat new commands.

Tim investigates the primary piRNA biogenesis pathway, specifically looking at the Zucchini endonuclease. He will be starting medical school in the fall of 2023. When he is not in lab, Tim enjoys exploring D.C. and watching the professional sports teams play.

B.Sc. - Kennesaw State University, GA

Angel is currently working on his undergraduate honors thesis on muscle gene activation in Drosophila, and will be joining the Haase-lab in summer 2023. He is interested to understand how the germline is faithfully specified and maintained across generations. To help investigate this exciting question, he will probe mechanisms of piRNA-mediated transposon silencing and piRNA inheritance in animal development. In his free time, Angel enjoys reading science fiction and nonfiction, taking care of his plants, and hiking to stargaze or to collect fun samples to examine under a microscope.

M.Sc. – Troy University

Franziska is currently designing novel computing applications for the analysis of microRNA-mRNA interactions resulting from genetic variations for her master's thesis. She will be joining the Haase lab in the summer of 2023 to conduct large-scale sequencing data analysis to elucidate the silencing of transposons and regulation of gene expression by piRNAs. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors and playing tennis.

BSc – Stockton University, New Jersey

Dan investigates patterns of piRNA populations in flies and mice. In his free time, he enjoys running and being outdoors. Dan is currently a PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

PhD – Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

As a graduate student in Dr. Alex Bortvin’s lab at the Carnegie Institute for Science, Pavol studied the function of the RNA binding protein Maelstrom (MAEL) in transposon restriction in the male germline of mice. As a postdoc in the Haase-lab, Pavol combined his computational and molecular expertise to elucidate mechanisms of piRNA biogenesis and function. He is now a Sr. Computational Biologist at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine.