People
The Haase Lab blends molecular biology, computational genomics, and creative curiosity. Meet the team below!
Astrid D. Haase, M.D., Ph.D.
astrid.haase [at] nih [dot] gov
Preferred name: Astrid
Astrid leads the RNA Biology Section, investigating how small RNAs guard genome integrity. She earned her MD in Vienna and PhD in Basel, trained with Witek Filipowicz and Greg Hannon, and joined the intramural program as a Stadtman Investigator before receiving tenure in 2023.
Qingcai Meng, Ph.D.
qingcai.meng [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: Ph.D. — School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Preferred name: Cai
Qingcai’s graduate work focused on floral organ development in rice. In the lab she investigates mechanisms of nuclear RNA export in piRNA biology and enjoys playing and growing flowers outside of research.
Zuzana Loubalova, Ph.D.
zuzana.loubalova [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: Ph.D. — Charles University, Prague
Preferred name: Zuzka
Zuzka examined piRNA pathway biology in the mammalian female germline during graduate work in Petr Svoboda’s lab. She now explores piRNA pathways through genomics and mechanistic lenses and loves hiking and enjoying good beer with friends.
Angel Jaimes, B.Sc.
angel.jaimes [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: B.Sc. — Kennesaw State University, GA
Preferred name: Angel
Pronouns: he/him
I'm interested in applying comparative approaches to study the evolution and molecular mechanisms of mammalian piRNAs. I like to spend time outdoors, read, and write in my free time.
Franziska Ahrend, M.Sc.
franziska.ahrend [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: M.Sc. — Troy University; B.Sc. Molecular Biology — Johannes Gutenberg University & Barry University
Preferred name: Franziska
Pronouns: she/her
Franziska is a bioinformatician studying how piRNAs silence mobile genetic elements during spermatogenesis in mice and humans. She is also interested in applying machine learning to diagnostics, and outside the lab she spends time outdoors, plays tennis, and enjoys family time.
Hibo Hassan, B.Sc.
hibo.hassan [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: B.Sc. — George Mason University, VA
Preferred name: Hibo
A post-baccalaureate fellow establishing a controllable protein degradation system in Drosophila ovarian somatic sheath cells to define the roles of key pathway components and uncover what shapes piRNA populations over time. Outside the lab, I enjoy trying new coffee shops, watching basketball, and movies.
Andrej Radoja, B.Sc.
andrej.radoja [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: B.Sc. — University of Maryland, MD
Preferred name: Andrej
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hi my name is Andrej and I'm a first-year postbac and incoming first-year medical student. In our lab, I'm currently looking into the function and efficacy of crucial auxiliary proteins in the piRNA pathway across different mammalian species. In my free time I like to go on hikes with my dog, skateboard, play sports, and watch movies.
Namra Siddiqui, Ph.D.
Previous training: Ph.D. — Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Preferred name: Namra
Pronouns: she/her
✨ Joining the lab in Summer 2026! ✨
Namra received her M.Sc. in 2018 from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Ph.D. in 2023 from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi). During her doctoral studies, she investigated the regulatory roles of small noncoding RNAs in bacteria under stress conditions. She then joined the University of Michigan, where she works on single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to study the effects of RNA modifications and initiation factors on eukaryotic translation regulation. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, photography, and long drives with good music.
Asmita Panthi, Ph.D.
Previous training: Ph.D. — University of Pennsylvania
Preferred name: Asmita
✨ Joining the lab in Summer 2026! ✨
I trained at the University of Pennsylvania studying RNA processing, focusing on the mechanistic details and functional significance of alternative splicing as a dynamic regulatory layer that shapes innate immune signaling responses. I enjoy long-distance running, sushi, and wandering cities with great architecture.
Ishareet Sohal, B.Sc.
ishareet.sohal [at] nih [dot] gov
Previous training: B.Sc. Rutgers University – New Brunswick (Genetics)
Preferred name: Ish
Pronouns: she/her/hers
✨ Joining the lab in Summer 2026! ✨
Ishareet Sohal (“Ish”) is a post-baccalaureate researcher at the NIH, joining Astrid’s lab at NIDDK. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Genetics from Rutgers University, where she studied the effects of lead exposure on blood coagulation, and later conducted research at the University of Pennsylvania on the RNA helicase DDX39 in repeat expansion disorders. At the National Eye Institute, she investigated genetic mutations underlying retinal disease using murine models. In the Haase Lab, Ish is excited to study PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and their roles in gene regulation and genome stability. Outside the lab, Ish enjoys sightseeing, collecting retro video games, and studying the Classics, including time spent volunteering at an archaeological site in Pompeii. She is always happy to chat about genetics, ancient history, or why retro games are better than modern ones.
Gallery of our lab moments
Alumni
Our alumni continue to expand RNA biology, medicine, and technology across the globe.
Parthena (Thenia) Konstantinidou, Ph.D.
Thenia started as a graduate student in the NIH Graduate Partnerships Program with the University of Patras, Greece and continued her time as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab. Thenia studied piRNA biogenesis and piRNA-mediated gene silencing in Drosophila ovaries. She is a space enthusiast who enjoys reading and outdoor adventures with friends.
Pavol Genzor, Ph.D.
Research Fellow (Postdoc VF 2015–2020, RF 2020–2022); Senior Computational Biologist at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine; Ph.D. — Johns Hopkins University.
Liora Feshbach, B.Sc.
Special Volunteer (2025)
Elizabeth Giordano, B.Sc.
Rotation Student (2024)
Aleksandr (Alex) Friman, M.Sc., M.Eng.
Graduate student in the NIH Graduate Partnerships Program with the University of Maryland, College Park; M.Sc. in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University.
Timothy O., B.Sc.
Postbaccalaureate IRTA.
Adrianna Hernandez
Postbac IRTA (2021–2023, shared with NCI/CCR); Medical student.
Daniel (Dan) Stoyko
Postbac IRTA (2019–2022); Ph.D. student at MIT; B.Sc. — Stockton University.
Celine Marlin Andrews
Postbac IRTA (2018–2020); Medical student at Virginia Tech Carilion.
Sanga Mitra, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow (2016–2019); Senior Research Fellow at the India Association for Science.
Prisma Lopez
Postbac IRTA (2016–2017); Researcher at Tufts Medical Center.
Leif Benner
Rotation student (May–Aug 2017); Ph.D. student, Johns Hopkins/NIH.
Alexandra Elchert
Postbac IRTA (2017–2019); Ph.D. student, Harvard Medical School.
Sushi Sobti
Postbac IRTA (2016–2018); Ph.D. student, UCSF.
Neha Bokil
Postbac IRTA (2016–2017); Ph.D. student, MIT.
Seth Cordts
Postbac IRTA (2015–2016); Ph.D. student, Stanford.
Chad Stein
Postbac IRTA (2015–2017); Ph.D. student, Harvard Medical School.
Soyeon Showman
Postbac IRTA (2015–2016); Ph.D. student, University of Washington.