Laboratory of RNA Regulation
Department of Biochemistry
Boston University School of Medicine
Our overarching goal is to understand fundamental processes of RNA regulation both at mechanistic and systems level, using rigorous approaches. Above all, we pursue the projects that we are passionate about and keep us loving what we do every day. Find out more below!
It takes a village!
Assitant Professor
Born, raised and PhD'ed in Barcelona, Daniel came to the US to train as a postdoc at Yale University. There he was initiated in the world of RNA regulation and zebrafish research. Daniel joined BU in 2016 as Assistant Professor. When not in the lab enjoys kayaking with the kids and taking care of the farm.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dmitry received his B.S. in Biology from Voronezh State University (Russia). During his M.S. he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Lev Ovchinnikov in the Institute of Protein Research (Russia). He earned his Ph.D. from University Paris-Saclay (France) where he investigated the biophysical properties of messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs). He joined the Cifuentes Lab in October 2016 to study the regulation of microRNA biogenesis and protein:RNA interactions. When Dmitry is not in the lab you can find him running along the Charles or strolling around Boston taking film photos.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
The reputation of Taylor Quill precedes them, as they came to us with an impressive background. They have since become a valued Post-Doctoral Fellow on our team, adding important insights into our work.
Ph.D. Student
From the sandy beaches of Cape Cod, MA, Stephen is a PhD candidate in the Cifuentes lab. He is currently studying study RNA regulation and transcriptional mechanisms in Filovirus. While always having loved virology, he began his scientific career studying a wide range of topics including parasite replication, cancer tumorigenesis, and enterotoxigenic E. coli. In his free time, Stephen enjoys making music with friends and taking care of his cat, Phoebe.
Research technician
I was born in Texas and raised in Wisconsin. I attended the University of Michigan for my undergraduate degree in Biophysics and Biochemistry, which was where I really got into research. I joined BU in 2022 as a Research Technician, and I intend to proceed on to medical school in the future. Outside of the lab, I enjoy Formula 1, cricket, badminton, and the outdoors.
Undergraduate Student
After growing up in Maryland and graduating high school in Ohio, Elaine came to Boston University for her Undergraduate Education. She joined the Cifuentes lab at the beginning of 2021, and is graduating in the spring of 2023. She plans on attending medical school in the future and hopes to continue exploring all that research has to offer.
Undergraduate Student
Sam is a junior studying Math and Computer Science at Boston University in the College of Arts and Sciences. In the lab, Sam does data analysis regarding miRNA seed genesis. When not in the lab, Sam enjoys long walks in the park, ignoring the impending sense of doom, and cooking on the weekends.
We are always in the lookout for the intellectual curious and hard-working students and post-docs. If you are one of them, you will find a home in the Cifuentes lab.
In the Cifuentes lab we address the most challenging questions in the mRNA field with a rigorous mechanistic approach, navigating unchartered territories at the fore front of science. Being part of our team means to value efforts over results and being resilient to overcome the natural setbacks in science until that “Aha!” moment when all pieces fall into place and we are able to answer those unsolvable scientific questions to advance science and knowledge.
If you are up for a good intellectual challenge, in our lab you will finds a welcoming environment with room for develop your full potential, and above all, research scientific projects that will make you a better-rounded scientist.
