Principal Investigator

Arja Ray is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He received undergraduate and masters degrees in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota working of cell-ECM interactions in cancer. Inspired by the promise of immunotherapy to shape cancer outcomes, Arja worked on uncovering T cell intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of anti-tumor immunity in his post-doctoral work in Max Krummel’s lab at UCSF.

Outside of lab, Arja spends most of his time with his wife and two kids.

Research Tech

Grace Castillo earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research in plant genomics in Dr. Carlos Vallejo’s lab, exploring genetic mechanisms in Phaseolus vulgaris species. She also contributed to astrobotany research in the Space Plant Lab, studying plant responses to extraterrestrial environments. Grace’s current research interests lie in virology and immunology. Outside of the lab, Grace enjoys spending time on her family’s farm and working on a restoration project of a century home.

Research Tech

Gavin Cressy is a Fall 2024 Graduate of Johns Hopkins with a B.S. In Neuroscience. As an undergraduate researcher with the Hunterian Neurosurgical Lab at Hopkins, he spearheaded a drug synergy experiment for treatment of glioblastoma using primarily in vitro models. He is particularly interested in the development of treatments harnessing the immune mechanisms at play in cancer. Outside of the lab, he likes to draw portraits, is an amateur DJ, and enjoys dancing bachata.

Masters Student

Vijay earned his undergraduate degree in Biotechnology with specialization in Genetic Engineering from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, where his research project focused on developing an aptamer-drug conjugate-based targeted delivery system for breast cancer, using in-vitro studies. Alongside this project, he led a pilot study to design a prototype for generating spheroid cultures for drug efficacy studies. Vijay is interested in understanding the regulations that occur in TME, that play a crucial role in the progression of cancer. Outside the lab, Vijay loves going to the gym, likes to cook and is a beginner at playing the guitar.

PhD Student

Evalynn Ellison earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering on the biotechnology track from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Evalynn conducted research at Baylor College of Medicine, on the pathway that controls NIX, a protein involved in the apoptosis of cells, in immune cells. She also spent two summers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The first was in the DeKosky lab, where she tested a biological system to create a phenotypic indication of successful in-frame cloning of cancer therapeutics. The second summer, Evalynn worked with the Conformable Decoders group, creating an ultrasound-responsive drug delivery system across a mucosal membrane. Through her PhD, she is excited to explore how cancer modulates immune cell behaviors and the translational applications to immunotherapy.

Outside of lab, Evalynn is a big foodie and loves to watch the latest movies and TV shows.

Masters Student

Zhou Sun earned her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences from McMaster University. She completed her undergraduate thesis focusing on chronic cough disease biomarker verification. Her current interests are in autoimmunity and tumor immunology. In her spare time, Zhou enjoys hiking, traveling, playing with her cat. She also do dancer covers and ballet, and has recently developed a strong interest in Krump dancing.