People
Current Members
Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Principal Investigator
Email: jboonyar@fredhutch.org
Twitter: @JimBoonyaratana
July 2016 – Present (Lab established July 2022)
Jim is an infectious disease specialist and virologist who focuses his research and clinical practice on preventing and treating viral infections in vulnerable populations. He is also passionate about teaching and medical education. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, tennis, food adventures, and music.
Matthew D. Gray, Ph.D.
Title: Senior Staff Scientist
Email: mgray@fredhutch.org
October 2014 - Present
Matt is an experienced cell and molecular biologist whose early research focused on the discovery of mechanisms underlying genetic disorders associated with human aging. At Fred Hutch, he uses protein and B cell engineering to study and develop therapeutic antibodies and vaccines to treat and prevent viral infections and various forms of cancer. Matt loves to be in the laboratory “making things and doing experiments.” He is passionate about teaching and sharing science, as well as mentoring and learning from students and colleagues. When outside the lab, Matt enjoys cooking with friends and family, listening to and playing music, and playing ball and taking long walks with his Labrador retriever.
Sara Pernikoff, B.S.
Title: Research Technician
Email: sperniko@fredhutch.org
September 2022 - Present
Sara graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor's in Biology and an emphasis in Bioethics. She previously worked as a technician exploring molecular mechanisms related to protein degradation in plants. Sara is excited to join the Boonyaratanakornkit lab. Outside of lab, she enjoys hiking and paddle boarding.
Nina Galanter
May 2023 - Present
Nina is a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Washington. As part of an applied project, she is studying the correlates of protection to RSV, HMPV, and parainfluenza viruses in a cohort of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.
Evelyn Harris, M.S.
Title: Research Technician
Email: eharris3@fredhutch.org
July 2023 - Present
Evelyn graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada with a Master of Science degree studying Comparative Oncology. Her thesis focused on a novel therapeutic target for canine and human osteosarcoma. Before that, she completed a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology where she studied bat viruses. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, hiking and trying new food.
Lea Kipnis
Title: Lab Aide
Email: lkipnis@fredhutch.org
July 2023 - Present
Lea is a third-year student at the University of Washington, pursuing a major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, as well as minors in Bioethics and Hebrew. After graduation she hopes to continue her education through medical school. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and hammocking with friends.
Hannah lewis, Ph.D.
Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Email: hclewis@fredhutch.org
October 2023 - Present
Hannah earned her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Washington in 2022. Her doctoral research delved into the mechanisms by which herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) hijacks host chromatin during lytic infection. For her postdoc role, she is excited to interrogate the immune response to viruses that have eluded traditional vaccine development efforts, and to apply this knowledge to better understand and combat viral infections in vulnerable populations. Beyond the lab, she is dedicated to science communication and education, bridging the gap between the scientific community and the public. Outside of her research and outreach efforts, she is a musician in several local bands.
Catherine Jacob-Dolan
August 2024 - Present
Catherine earned her PhD in Immunology from Harvard University in 2023. Her PhD work focused on the humoral immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as vaccines for Mpox and Influenza, in humans and non-human primates. In the Boonyaratanakornkit lab she is excited to continue her work on vaccine responses, interrogating the immune determinants of B cell imprinting and antigenicity of rapidly evolving viral pathogens to apply them to better vaccine design and implementation for vulnerable populations. Outside of the lab she enjoys teaching, hiking, climbing, skiing, and seeking out good live music.
Clarissa Tjoanda
November 2024 - Present
Clarissa earned her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. With over three years of experience in the biotech industry, her most recent work involves characterizing Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) for gene therapy applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. She recently moved from New York and is excited to be back in Seattle to continue her research experience and learn more in Boonyaratanakornkit's Lab. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, cafe hopping, cooking, baking and hiking.
Research Administration
Laura Yates, B.A.
Title: Grants Specialist, Research Administration
Email: yates@fredhutch.org
April 2018 – Present
Laura is a research administrator with over 4 years of experience at Fred Hutch and 9 years total in non-profit grants management. Outside of assisting in proposal and budget management, she enjoys too many hobbies to master any, but hopes to one day improve her surfing skills from beginner to mediocre at least.
Lab Alumni and Former Mentees
Maria McCavitt-Malvido
January 2025 - March 2025
Maria is currently a first year student in the Pathobiology PhD program at UW. She received her B.S. from UC San Diego with a major in Microbiology and a minor in Global Health. After graduating, she worked at a company in San Diego, supporting antibody development against neglected pathogens such as botulism and Ebola. Originally a Bay Area native, she relocated to San Francisco to work in Melanie Ott’s lab at the Gladstone Institutes at UCSF before starting graduate school. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, camping, and reading.
Annie Clurman
Title: Medical Student Summer Research Project
July 2023 – September 2023
Subsequent position: Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Washington
Melanie Rötepohl, M.S.
Title: Research Assistant
October 2022 - January 2023
Subsequent position: Graduate School, O.C. Hairsystems, Dusseldorf, Germany
Dillon Alwan
Title: Research Technician (Taylor Lab)
September 2017 – June 2021
Subsequent position: Graduate school, Department of Public Health, Columbia University
Yena Park
January 2025 - March 2025
Yena is a PhD student in Pathobiology at the University of Washington, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. With two years of experience as a research associate in the biotech startup industry, her recent work focuses on developing oral biotherapeutics for treating infectious and metabolic diseases. Outside of her professional life, Yena enjoys discovering new cafes and bakeries and spending quality time with friends and family.
Kristen McLean
June 2024 - August 2024
Subsequent Position: Undergraduate, Departments of Biology and Natural Applied Sciences, Florida International University
Allison Kim
Title: Infectious Disease Summer Intern
June 2023 - August 2023
Subsequent position: Undergraduate, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Kristin Fitzpatrick
Title: Graduate student, Department of Pathology, University of Washington (Taylor Lab)
June 2018 – June 2022
Subsequent position: Research associate, Mozart Therapeutics
Elizabeth McCarthy
Title: Lab Manager
Email: emccart2@fredhutch.org
November 2022 - February 2025
Elizabeth graduated from University of Washington with a bachelors in Biochemistry and over 8 years of experience in research. She supports Boonyaratanakornkit Lab, Lund Lab, Prlic Lab and Taylor Lab here at Fred Hutch. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading, being on the water, and socializing with friends and family.
Ren Ikeda, B.S.
Title: Research Technician
June 2023 – June 2024
Subsequent position: Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Hawaii
Madeleine Bibby, B.S.
Title: Research Technician
March 2021 – July 2023
Subsequent position: Graduate school, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wake Forest University
Madelyn Caban
Title: Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program, University of Washington (Taylor Lab)
July 2020 – August 2021
Subsequent position: Graduate school, Department of Immunology, University of Washington
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