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.

Elizabeth McCarthy

Title: Lab Manager
Email: emccart2@fredhutch.org
November 2022 - Present
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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Ren Ikeda, B.S.

Title: Research Technician
Email: renikeda@fredhutch.org
July 2023 - Present
Ren graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s in Microbiology. As an undergraduate, he worked in a Chlamydia research lab looking at using serological assays as an epidemiological tool to better understand the population dynamics of chlamydial spread. This experience sparked an interest in pathology and infectious diseases, and he wants to continue this passion while working at the intersection of medicine and research. In the future Ren hopes to continue his education through medical school or graduate school, continuing to focus on infectious diseases. In Ren’s free time, he is an avid climber, food enjoyer, and budding snowboarder.

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.

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. 

Kristin Fitzpatrick

Title: Graduate student, Department of Pathology, University of Washington (Taylor Lab)
June 2018 – June 2022

Subsequent position: Research associate, Mozart Therapeutics
 

Melanie Rötepohl, M.S.

Title: Research Assistant
October 2022 - January 2023

Subsequent position: Graduate School, O.C. Hairsystems, Dusseldorf, Germany

Annie Clurman

Title: Medical Student Summer Research Project
July 2023 – September 2023

Subsequent position: Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Washington 

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
 

Madeleine Bibby, B.S.

Title: Research Technician
March 2021 – July 2023

Subsequent position: Graduate school, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wake Forest University

Dillon Alwan

Title: Research Technician (Taylor Lab)
September 2017 – June 2021

Subsequent position: Graduate school, Department of Public Health, Columbia 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