Meet Our Participants

Zhiyu (Cathy) Song

"I’m a PhD candidate in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology program at OSU, co-mentored by Dean A. Lee, MD, PhD, and Benjamin Z. Stanton, PhD. My research investigates how natural killer (NK) cell–mediated immunoediting reshapes the molecular and epigenetic states of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. I aim to identify mechanisms of immune escape in rhabdomyosarcoma and leverage these insights to develop more effective NK cell–based therapies."

Caleb Frye

"I obtained my PhD in chemistry from Duquesne University, where I studied SARS-CoV-2 viral RNAs and their interactions with the host immune response. I currently work in Dr. Theisen’s lab at Nationwide Children’s, where my research integrates structural biophysics, biochemistry and genomics to understand how DNA sequence and structure dictate the protein-DNA interactions that drive oncogenic gene expression in Ewing sarcoma."

Zhuang Wang

"I am a postdoctoral scientist in the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Nationwide Children's. My research focuses on the tumor immune microenvironment of pediatric high-grade glioma, using bioinformatics and mouse models to understand how tumor cells and immune cells interact. This research aims to uncover strategies to enhance immune-mediated tumor killing and surveillance, with the long-term goal of informing translational approaches to improve outcomes for children with brain tumors."

David Paulding

"I am a postdoc in the lab of Genevieve Kendall, PhD. I graduated from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center with a PhD from their Molecular and Developmental Biology graduate program. My current projects focus on the initiation and development of fusion-driven rhabdomyosarcoma using zebrafish and mammalian cells as models."

Kun Xing

"I am an MD-PhD candidate in The Ohio State University Medical Scientist Training Program. I am co-mentored by Dr. Lee and Dr. Das. My dissertation work studies the mechanisms of CAR-NK cell signaling through both molecular and computation lenses. The long-term goal of my work is to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-NK cell therapy by co-opting NK cell specific signaling mechanisms."

Andrew Vontell

"I’m a PhD candidate in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology program at The Ohio State University and am mentored by Dr. Kendall. I study an aggressive pediatric cancer called fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma. The goal of my work is to elucidate the mechanisms of the most common and devastating driver of this disease, which is the PAX3::FOXO1 fusion oncogene. Specifically, I am interested in the structure-function of PAX3::FOXO1 recognition of chromatin and the specific cellular contexts that are susceptible to its activity. I aim to uncover targetable vulnerabilities of the disease to inform the development of improved therapies."

Jane Benoit

"I am a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Bishop's lab where I study how fusion oncogenes disrupt gene regulation and RNA metabolism in pediatric cancers. I am especially interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying these processes in Ewing sarcoma with an aim to improving cancer therapies and patient outcomes. I obtained my PhD in molecular biology from Florida State University in 2025."

Chloe Nagasawa

"I earned my PhD in human pathophysiology and translational medicine from The University of Texas Medical Branch, where I investigated the molecular mechanisms of dysregulated RNA splicing in autoimmune diseases. I joined the Chandler lab in September 2024 to continue research on RNA splicing, specifically focusing on identifying targetable pathways of dysregulated splicing in pediatric cancer. "

Caleb Holaway

"I am a PhD candidate in the lab of Allison Bradbury in the Jerry R. Mendel Center for Gene Therapy at Nationwide Children's. My dissertation work is centered on a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) which predisposes children to tumor development in the central and peripheral nervous system. My thesis work uses adeno-associated virus (AAV) to restore the catalytic activities of the NF1 protein product in the nervous system to combat tumor development. In addition to my thesis work, I am committed to fostering community amongst graduate students and advocating for trainee interests through my role of president of the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Student Organization at The Ohio State University. I aspire to be an independent scientist one day and have received support for my thesis work in the form of a University Fellowship through the Graduate School at The Ohio State University and a Graduate Research Development Award through the Office of Trainee Affairs at Nationwide Children's. I am excited to grow as an aspiring pediatric cancer researcher through the supports afforded by the T32 training program. "