Cathryn Nagler, Ph.D.
Bunning Food Allergy Professor
Ph.D., New York University, Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Science, New York
B.A., Barnard College, Columbia University
Contact: cnagler@bsd.uchicago.edu
Edward Ionescu
Graduate Student, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research:
Edward is researching the effects of gut microbiota-derived secondary bile acids on the mucosal immune system, in the context of understanding oral tolerance and treating food allergies.
Biography:
Edward received his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2020.
Contact: eionescu@uchicago.edu
Maya Chandwaney
Laboratory Manager
Research:
Maya leads the lab’s efforts in intestinal microbial analysis and characterization and maintains the lab’s mouse colonies.
Biography:
Maya received her B.S. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Chicago in 2025.
Contact: mayachandwaney@uchicago.edu
Bai Xue
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research:
Bai is working with Shuang to study the effect of microbiome-produced succinate on food allergies.
Biography:
Bai is a second-year student in the college intending to major in Molecular Engineering on the bio track.
Contact: bxue28@uchicago.edu
John Clay Hong
PME REU Intern
Research:
John Clay is working with Shuang to research the role of succinate in signaling tuft cell activation and its association with allergic responses.
Biography:
John Clay is a fourth-year student from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.
Contact: johnclayhong@uchicago.edu
Kayla Lee
PME REU Intern
Research:
Kayla is working with India to study the presence of P. faecium in fecal samples.
Biography:
Kayla is a fourth-year chemical engineering student from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
Contact: klee311@uchicago.edu