Yuyan Cheng, PhD
Principle Investigator / Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Yuyan received her PhD from the University of Miami in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (mentor Dr. Richard Jope). She then went on to the University of California, Los Angeles for her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Dan Geschwind. Her work leverages functional genomics, computational biology, and experimental animal models to understand the biology of neurodegeneration and to discover potential therapeutic for neural repair. Yuyan started her lab at Penn in January 2024 studying retinal degenerative disorders using single-cell and spatial genomics approaches. Outside of the lab, Yuyan looks for ways to stay active and creative. She plays a mix of sports, including swimming, skiing, and tennis.
Contact: yuyan.cheng@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Jeff Maurer
Lab Biostatistician
Jeff graduated from Rowan University and from Boston University’s Masters in Bioinformatics program. During COVID, Jeff joined Emory University to work as a Data Analyst in the Immunology lab of Dr. Jeremy Boss across the street from the CDC. Along with various multi-omic analyses, he spent much energy trying to make himself redundant, educating the rest of the lab on bioinformatics analysis and encouraging the wet lab to branch out. Back home in Philadelphia, he joins the Cheng Lab to lead its bioinformatics within the Molecular Ophthalmology department at the University of Pennsylvania.
Contact: jeffrey.maurer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Cassidy Poon
Lab Technician
Cass graduated with Honors bachelor’s degrees in Biology and English at the University of Delaware in May 2024. During her undergraduate years, she cultivated a strong background in both clinical ophthalmology and molecular biology research in the Pennsylvania-Delaware area. Today, she is assisting the Cheng lab with ocular nerve damage gene therapeutic projects through mouse model studies. Cass plans to use her research field experience and passion for service to continue her path in ophthalmology as a future medical professional. Outside of work and studies, she enjoys gaming and writing. A Delawarean at heart, Cass also loves to explore the East Coast through travels with friends and family.
Contact: cassidy.poon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Kyungbin Oh
Lab Technician
Kyungbin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Health & Societies, concentrating in Health Care Markets & Finance. She will be joining the Cheng Lab to work with mouse models of retinal degenerative diseases. She is interested in the genetic mechanisms underlying these diseases and hopes to contribute to developing new therapies. Outside of the lab, Kyungbin enjoys exploring new restaurants and figure skating.
Contact: kyungbin.oh@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Rachel Lyn-Sue
Undergraduate
Rachel is an undergraduate student at Penn working on developing lipid nanoparticles to deliver CRISPR to the eye. Her scientific interests include neuroscience and genetics. In her free time, she loves running, crocheting stuffed animals, and reading!
Contact: rachells@sas.upenn.edu
Albert Chen
Undergraduate
Albert is an undergraduate studying computer science and economics. His role in the lab is as a data analyst, using single-cell and spatial data to search for genetic markers that correlate with glaucoma in patients. Outside of academics, I am an avid squash player and a member of The Mask and Wig Club, a musical comedy company at Penn.
Contact: chena23@seas.upenn.edu
Olivia Hu
Undergraduate
Olivia is an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania studying computer and information science. Currently, she is an undergraduate researcher focusing on single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis. In her free time, she enjoys trying new food places, reading, and cooking.
Contact: huolivia@seas.upenn.edu
Amanda Kossoff
Undergraduate
Amanda is an undergraduate student in the Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management studying computational biology and health care management. She is currently working on the implementation of cell segmentation algorithms using machine learning methods coupled with immunostaining to identify cell types critical to neurodegenerative disease progression. Amanda loves to dance and create choreography in her free time.
Contact: akossoff@wharton.upenn.edu