Lab Members

Department of Pathology, School of Medicine
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, UC Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Diana Cittelly completed a BS in Biology and MSc in Biochemistry from the National University of Colombia. She earned a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Texas Medical Branch and postdoctoral training in hormone receptor biology and breast cancer at University of Colorado. In her research, Dr. Cittelly has merged her expertise and passion for cell biology in the central nervous system, hormone function and cancer, as well as mentoring younger scientists to successful and rewarding careers in science. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family and close friends.

Diana.Cittelly@cuanschutz.edu

I am a Venezuelan bioanalyst from The Carabobo University (Venezuela), with a specialization in Clinical Biochemistry and a Master in Biological Science from The Pontifical Xavierian University (Bogotá-Colombia) and a PhD in Biomedical Science from The National University of Colombia. As a postdoc in the Cittelly Lab, I learned the molecular and cellular foundations of breast cancer brain metastasis research, and acquired skills in modeling brain metastasis in vivo, including the development of Patient-Derived Xenografts from breast cancer brain metastases. I have used my neuroscience and imaging background to develop new methods to quantify the invasive ability of cancer cells in organotypic brain slices. My training in the Cittelly lab has allowed me to start my scientific career by being awarded by the Department of Defense FY18 Breast Cancer Research Program: Breakthrough. My research focuses on understanding the interaction between cancer cells and the brain microenvironment that contribute to brain metastases, specifically defining the mechanisms underlying radioresistance and brain edema. For me, the most significant aspect of my research in the Cittelly lab has been to focus on research with high translational impact, where patients’ welfare is my drive and goal in my daily work.

Microbiologist and bio-analyst and MSc in biomedical sciences from the Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia). My earliest training focused on the pathobiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using CRISPR technology for gene-silencing. In the Cittelly lab, I have received training in mammalian cell culture, animal modeling of metastasis to elucidate how ephrins can promote brain metastasis. I also contribute to the studies of how estrogen depletion therapies impact brain metastasis of ER+ and ER- breast cancers.  I am excited about molecular biology and how by applying it we can define functions to molecules that could be relevant in our research and how  it helps to generate more questions. A job that never ends and hopefully will have a beneficial impact on people’s lives.

Morgan is a student in the Cancer Biology PhD program. He got his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, where he studied biochemistry, biology, and statistics. In Arizona, Morgan completed comparative oncology research with the Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, looking at how life history is related to cancer prevalence across the tree of life. He additionally worked in the pharmacodynamics laboratory of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, which performs early phase clinical trials for patients with brain cancer. Morgan’s current work in the Cittelly lab focuses on the role of FGFR1 in ER+ brain metastasis. Outside of work and school, Morgan enjoys hiking, baking, and folding origami.

Gina Kwak is a first-generation, fourth-year undergraduate student expected to graduate in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado Denver. As an incoming first-year medical student to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Gina hopes to dedicate herself and her journey to serving the underserved and to always putting her patients first. Outside of academics, Gina enjoys going on hikes, walking her dog, and dancing. As a Korean American, Gina tries to recreate the Korean dishes her mother skillfully makes.

I am from Bogotá, Colombia where I obtained my Bachelor and Master Degree in Biology from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in the Neuroscience Research Group. My scientific interest is focused on studying the epigenetics mechanisms related to gene regulation and their relationship with human diseases. When I’m not in the lab I enjoy spending time with my cats and playing board games with my family and friends. Also, I like music festivals and visiting natural parks.

I am from Bogotá D.C. – Colombia. I am a biologist, master in Neuroscience and PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Since I was an undergraduate student I have been interested in neurosciences. My passion for neurosciences led me to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and demyelinating diseases (Krabbe disease and X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy) at The National University of Colombia in the Cell Death Research Group. Now, as a postdoc in Dr. Cittelly’s lab, the challenge is to analyze the cellular and molecular mechanisms whereby estrogens act on neurons, oligodendrocytes and microglia in the microenvironment of breast cancer brain metastases. I love my profession because it allows me to learn every day and that makes me very happy. Something else that makes me happy is sharing with my parents, sisters, nephews, friends, and my pets (Teo, Moony, Sunny, Milú and Zoey). Also, I enjoy watching series and movies, walking, traveling and getting to know new places, cultures and people.

Stella Koliavas graduated from CU Boulder with bachelor’s degrees in MCDB and Sociology. Her passion for Molecular Biology and cancer research led her to the Cittelly lab where she currently studies astrocytes and the role they play within the brain microenvironment alongside estradiol. She also helps manage the lab and mouse colony to keep everything running smoothly. When she’s not researching, she enjoys cuddling with her cat Sriracha, cooking new recipes, and watching TV.

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Denver, majoring in Biology and minoring in International studies. I currently have goals of going to medical school to become a practicing physician. I joined the Cittelly Lab with the hope of gaining knowledge and insight as to what it means to study brain metastasis but also to work in a lab environment that values both scientific research as well as expanding one’s education in the field of science and cancer research. In my free time, I absolutely enjoy watching Korean Dramas and learning new phrases in a different language, and I also love playing card games like Spoons with friends!