Dr. Son Le received his Ph.D. in Bio-organic Chemistry in Russia. Dr. Le leads our computational biology team. He has invented several proprietary algorithms for gene network generation and identification of master regulators. His research is focused on developing deep learning-based methodology in cancer biology and precision cancer medicine. 

Dongjiang Chen earned both his MD and MS degrees from Nanjing Medical University. As an Assistant Professor of Research in the Tran Lab, Dr. Chen specializes in translational cancer biology and immuno-oncology. His research is focused on the mechanism of action behind Tumor Treating Fields as a new cancer immunotherapy approach in solid cancers including brain cancer.

Samuel Amponsah-Effah, Ph.D. Student

Samuel earned his B.S. with distinction at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. He received the Distinguished Professor V.P. Dzogbefia Award for the overall top student in enzymology. His research project, co-mentored by Dr. David Tran and Dr. Peter Wang is focused on engineered immune cells for brain cancer immunotherapy. Outside the lab, he enjoys philosophy, spoken-word poetry, soccer, and piano playing.

Karolina Warzecha, Ph.D. Student

Karolina earned her B.S. in Neurobiology and M.S. in Molecular Biotechnology from Jagiellonian University in Poland. She received the Rector’s Scholarship, was a grantee of the European Commission’s Erasmus + Program, and received the Fulbright BioLAB Program traineeship. Karolina’s PhD project is co-mentored with Dr. Bingfei Yu. It focuses on studying how the communication between glioblastoma (GBM) cells and neurons contributes to mechanisms of immune system evasion by GBM and resistance to immunotherapy. Outside the lab, Karolina enjoys Violin, cinema, water sports, fantasy, and music.

Tarun earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology with first-class distinction from B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bangalore, India, graduating as the top student in his class. He is a Master’s student at USC, majoring in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine. Tarun’s research focuses on cancer immunotherapy, with his current project aimed at enhancing glioblastoma (GBM) immunotherapy by improving the localization of anti-tumor lymphocytes to the brain. Outside the lab, he enjoys singing, reading, and exploring new places.

Andy Grass

Andy is an undergraduate student in the class of 2027 at USC, majoring in Molecular Biology (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology emphasis). He was awarded the USC Presidential Scholarship and was a National Merit Scholar. He plans to continue on to graduate school to get his PhD, and wants to focus his studies around the area of cancer research. Outside the lab, he loves to play sports with his friends, go outdoors, and play the piano.

Pranav Barla

Pranav is an undergraduate student in the class of 2027 at the USC, majoring in Biopharmaceutical Sciences B.S. with a minor in Health Administration. He plans to attend medical school and continue cancer-based research in the future, with his ultimate goal to become an oncologist. Besides research, he also participates in hospice volunteering and is the SoCal advocate lead for the American Cancer Society. Outside the lab, Pranav enjoys photography, playing tennis, practicing Indian classical music, and playing the Tabla.