Lab Team

Xiaohe (Stella) Cai, MD, MS

Research Scientist I

Stella Cai’s work focuses on gene therapy for hemophilia.

She received an MD degree in neuro-endocrinology from a university in China and an MS in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University.

She is a proud member of Seattle Children’s Research Institute’s Retaining Excellence Program

Carley Campbell, BS

Research Scientist I

Carley’s work focuses on Ultrasound Mediated Gene Delivery into animal models. She is specifically interested in optimizing micro- and nanobubbles to enhance gene delivery and minimize tissue damage.

Carley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from the University of Washington. In her spare time Carley enjoys drawing and cooking.

Alex Chen, PhD 

Postdoctoral Fellow 

Alex is researching methods to reduce or prevent the formation of Factor VIII inhibitors in hemophilia A animal models. His approaches include immunomodulation via bioactive molecules and reprogramming of regulatory T cells through viral and non-viral methods.

He earned a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Washington.

Chun-Yu Chen, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Chun-Yu’s work focuses on using lipid nanoparticle to treat hemophilia A in animal models. He has a particular focus on modulation of immune responses to VIII in treated hemophilia A mice.

He received a PhD from the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology at National Taiwan University’s College of Medicine.

Elise Craddock, BS in progress

Student Helper

In addition to maintaining the lab, Elise is learning various lab techniques and assisting on multiple projects, primarily Ultrasound Mediated Gene Delivery.

Elise is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, as well as a minor in Chinese.

Julia Joo, BS

Research Scientist I

Julia is examining the safety and efficacy of intraosseous platelet-specific delivery of FVIII lentivirus in a humanized mouse model. She is also interested in finding biomarkers, such as cytokine profile, glycosylation status, and B&T cell profile, for FVIII inhibitor development.

Julia graduated from the University of Washington in 2018 with a double major in Biochemistry and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. In her spare time, Julia loves to sing and regularly performs with the Seattle Symphony Chorale and Orchestra.

Megan Manson, BS

Research Scientist I/ Lab Manager

Megan’s work focuses on optimizing Ultrasound Mediated Gene Delivery to treat hemophilia A in animal models. She has a particular focus on targeting liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, the natural site of factor VIII production.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. In her spare time, Megan enjoys volunteering, baking, and hiking.

Elizabeth (Libby) Ni, BS in progress

Student Helper

In addition to keeping the lab running smoothly, Libby’s work involves comparing different promoter sequences for the FVIII gene and plasmid cloning. She also assists with the Ultrasound and Lipid Nanoparticle Projects.

Libby is a student at the University of Washington studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience.

Amber Vander Kooi, BS

Research Scientist I

One of the greatest complications in the treatment of Hemophilia A is the formation of inhibitors against Factor VIII protein, and previous literature has pointed to differences in glycosylation as a potential way of understanding immune responses to FVIII. Specifically, Amber is exploring the role of certain glycosylation sites of FVIII in a HemA mouse model.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. Outside of work, Amber is active in the Seattle photography community.