Sam Wattrus
Principal Investigator
swattrus@mgh.harvard.edu
Sam is a Junior Fellow in the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research group utilizes a combination of genetics, lineage tracing, and live-cell imaging in zebrafish to understand how cells interact during development and regeneration. Sam received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, where he studied Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology. As an undergraduate, he worked in the laboratories of Dr. Amy Wagers and Dr. John Gurdon to investigate aging in mammalian skeletal muscle and cellular reprogramming in Xenopus laevis. He later completed his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Leonard Zon at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. His graduate work focused on hematopoietic stem cell development and macrophages in the stem cell niche in zebrafish. For his work on macrophages and stem cell biology, Sam was included on the 2024 Forbes 30 under 30 Science list.
Outside of the lab, Sam enjoys cooking, spending time with his family, and playing bass in the Longwood Symphony Orchestra.
Andrew Ng
Undergraduate Researcher
Andrew.Ng@tufts.edu
Andrew is an undergraduate student at Tufts University double majoring in chemistry and biology. As a member of the Wattrus Lab, he hopes to explore his interests in developmental, immuno, and molecular biology in zebrafish. At Tufts, Andrew is co-tournament director for Jumbo Science Olympiad and a senior writer for the Palmier culinary magazine. In his free time he enjoys composing music, reading, cooking, backpacking, and bouldering.
Alvaro Mayorga-Kintanar
Undergraduate Researcher
admayorgakintanar@college.harvard.edu
Alvaro is an undergraduate at Harvard College concentrating in Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology. At the lab, he assesses the medaka response to injury to ultimately compare the molecular mechanisms that underlie the differential regeneration between medaka and zebrafish. Outside of the lab, Alvaro works as a director at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, mentors first-year undergraduates, and enjoys watching (and playing, but not well) basketball, chess, tennis, and ping pong
Rossi Wang
Research Technician
rwang@molbio.mgh.harvard.edu
Rossi joined the lab as a Research Technician in January 2024. Graduating with a B.A. in Biology from Mount Holyoke College, Rossi studied protein interactions in Bacillus Subtilis under the guidance of Dr. Amy Camp. With a passion for developmental biology, Rossi is now intrigued by regenerative neurogenesis in the zebrafish spinal cord. In her free time, she enjoys ultimate frisbee, cooking, and handcrafting.
Marina Vernaglia
Undergraduate Researcher
marinavernaglia@college.harvard.edu
Marina Vernaglia is a sophomore at Harvard College concentrating in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. They are excited to learn about regeneration in zebrafish and medaka as a part of the Wattrus Lab. Outside of school and the lab, Marina likes to bake, crochet, and play Dungeons and Dragons.
Jakub Baczyński-Keller
Visiting Graduate Student
jakub.keller@pg.edu.pl
Jakub is a second-year PhD student at Gdańsk University of Technology in Poland. He conducts his research in the Laboratory for Regenerative Biotechnology, focusing on the nervous system’s role in regeneration. He is joining the Wattrus Lab as a Fulbright Junior Researcher. Outside his research, Jakub appreciates cinematography and enjoys quiet evenings with a movie. He also loves long walks and writing for pleasure.
Vincent
Chief Mouser
Join us!
We are always excited to hear from potential new lab members! Interested individuals should contact Sam directly: swattrus@mgh.harvard.edu