Embedded Files
the albanese lab is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and encouraged to question and think deeply and independently while working collaboratively to learn from one another beyond the scientific questions at hand.
Katherine I. Albanese, PhD
Assistant Professor
pronouns: she | her | hers
Katherine is a proud alumni of Wake Forest University, graduating with her BS in Chemistry in 2016. She then received her PhD at UNC Chapel Hill in the Waters Lab, where she investigated cation-π and methionine interactions in proteins that recognize histone posttranslational modifications and engineered them to be high affinity "super binders" as tools in epigenetics research. From there, Katherine moved across the pond to the University of Bristol for her postdoctoral work. In the Woolfson Lab, she designed new peptides and proteins from scratch to induce membrane curvature. In 2024, Katherine has returned to WFU and aims to better understand histone posttranslational modifcations by designing and engineering new proteins that serve as useful tools for observing and manipulating epigenetic biology. Outside of the lab, Katherine enjoys running, watching baseball, and hanging with her dog, Clemmy.
Joel J. Chubb, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
pronouns: he | him | his
Joel J. Chubb is a postdoctoral research associate in the Albanese Lab. Joel completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Bristol and Macquarie University under the supervision of Prof Dek Woolfson and Prof Alison Rodger. During his PhD and the subsequent postdoctoral role, Joel designed protein/peptide assemblies and studied how they interact with both organic and inorganic molecules. In the Albanese lab, Joel is designing new proteins that interact with the nucleosome as tools to understand fundamental biological relationships. Outside of the lab, Joel enjoys hiking and running in nature.
Kaitlyn Alcorn
Graduate Student
pronouns: she | her | hers
Kaitlyn is a chemistry graduate student in the Albanese lab. She completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Penn State Behrend under Dr. Todd Eckroat where she worked on N-alkyl isatin and indole derivatives for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease. Outside the lab, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, or staying home and watching hockey and Formula 1.
Sam Silverberg
Undergraduate
pronouns: he | him | his
Sam is a senior at Wake Forest University majoring in Chemistry with a focus in Biochemistry and minoring in Neuroscience. Prior to the Albanese lab, he worked with Dr. Johanna Bolander, Dr. Naresh Mahajan, and Dr. Brendyn Miller at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine with a focus on novel stem cell therapies for degenerative osteoarthritis. He looks forward to beginning a new project in epigenetic regulation and working alongside Dr. Albanese to enhance protein design-based research.
Miko Barbe
Undergraduate
pronouns: he | him | his
Miko Barbe is a senior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major with a Bioethics, Humanities, and Medicine Minor. His goal is to take a gap year and attend Medical School. Miko is from outside Philadelphia and loves playing and watching sports with his friends, where his favorites are cheering for Wake Forest and all the Philly sports teams. In his free time, Miko loves watching Survivor, the Office on repeat, and Rom Coms. He also has 2 dogs, Bella and Bruno, and is a middle child. A fun fact about Miko is he is an Eagle Scout, used to compete in triathlons, and won a state medal in swimming in high school.
Xi (Susy) Wang
Undergraduate
pronouns: she | her | hers
Susy is a sophomore at Wake Forest University majoring in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. Prior to joining the Albanese lab, she worked with Dr. Allyn C. Howlett at Wake Forest School of Medicine, investigating the potential protein-protein interactions of CRIP1a and ARL proteins. She is excited to further explore the intricacies of protein interactions in epigenetics and contribute to innovative protein design research under Dr. Albanese’s mentorship.
Wonhee Kim
Undergraduate
pronouns: he | him | his
Wonhee is a sophomore at Wake Forest University majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Wonhee actively volunteers in local hospitals, applying his growing knowledge and dedication to helping others. With his interest in oncogenetics and oncohistone mutations, Wonhee is looking forward to further explore the relationship between oncohistone and post-translational mutation in Albanese Lab. He plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in oncology.
Griffin Girard
Undergraduate
pronouns: he | him | his
Griffin Girard is a medicinal chemistry major working in Dr. Albanese's lab. His hometown is Rome, Georgia where he works as a nurse technician in the cardiac ICU. Griffin has always enjoyed chemistry as it helps him to think analytically and apply key concepts to many different challenges. Outside of school he finds enjoyment in golf, skiing and lifting weights.
Jackson Phillips
Undergraduate
pronouns: he | him | his
Jackson Phillips is a medicinal chemistry major working in Dr. Albanese's lab.
Annabeth Stancil
Undergraduate
pronouns: she | her | hers
Annabeth is a Junior at Wake Forest University with a major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a minor in Studio Art. Annabeth is an EMT with Wake Forest EMS and is a Resident Advisor, and is planning to attend medical school following a gap year. In her summers, Annabeth coaches swim team and volunteers for her local rescue squad.
Sophie Kothari
Undergraduate
pronouns: she | her | hers
Sophie is a junior at Wake Forest University, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and minoring in Religious Studies. Before working in Dr. Albanese's lab, Sophie was an undergraduate researcher with Dr. Wells in the BE WELL with Migraine clinical trial. She has recently returned from study abroad in Vienna, Austria. Sophie enjoys running, reading mystery novels, and hanging out with her dogs, Teddy and Summer.
Katie Salnikoff
Undergraduate
pronouns: she | her | hers
Katie is a senior at Wake Forest University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry and Biology, on the Pre-Med track. Katie volunteers with ACSCares at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital and is a Campus Kitchen leader during the school year. The past three summers, Katie has interned as a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, studying the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease. Katie is planning on taking two gaps years before medical school and she will be working as a Medical Assistant in a dermatology office in New York City.
Nilay Baykal
Undergraduate
pronouns: she | her | hers
Nilay is a sophomore at Wake Forest University majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Neuroscience. She has a strong interest in cell regulation and bioengineering and is excited to explore both through her work in Dr. Albanese’s lab. Over the summers, she volunteers by teaching kids. Beyond academics she loves spending time with her dog. In her free time, she likes doing puzzles, playing tennis, and bikes.
Landon Carlton
Undergraduate
pronouns: he | him | his
Landon is a freshman from a small town in Kentucky. He is studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and hopes to pursue a career in research. In Landon's free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with his friends, and trying new coffee shops.
Clemmy M. Kean, PuphD
The Boss
pronouns: woof | ruff | bark
Clemmy is an expert in all things and works closely between labs at Wake Forest University and High Point University. Outside of her busy schedule, she enjoys being cozy, playing fetch, and eating lettuce.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse