Amanda Whipple, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
Harvard University
amanda_whipple[at]fas.harvard.edu
Link to CV
After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from The University of Oklahoma, Dr. Whipple performed graduate studies at Baylor College of Medicine. She earned her doctoral degree under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Cooper by investigating the role of an RNA binding protein in a neuromuscular disorder, Myotonic dystrophy type I. This research piqued Dr. Whipple’s interest in the ability of RNA to cause disease and the potential to target RNA for the treatment of disease. In 2011, she accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a leader in RNA therapeutics. At Ionis, Dr. Whipple and her colleagues completed proof-of-concept studies for a novel therapeutic approach for Angelman syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disease. Angelman syndrome is caused by mutations in the gene inherited from one’s mother, but not by mutations inherited from one’s father. This research inspired Dr. Whipple to ask questions about how parental gene inheritance is regulated in the brain and, in 2015, she became a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study this process. In 2019, Dr. Whipple joined the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University. Her laboratory aims to determine the function of parental-specific gene expression in normal brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dina Aljogol
Postdoctoral Fellow
daljogol[at]fas.harvard.edu
Dina is a postdoctoral fellow interested in the molecular mechanisms of imprinted gene regulation. Before joining Harvard, she completed her PhD at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, where she studied chromatin organization and long-range contacts in autism spectrum disorders. Dina enjoys exploring new places, outdoor activities, photography and volunteering.
Bongmin Bae
Postdoctoral Fellow
bbae[at]fas.harvard.edu
Min is a postdoctoral fellow in the Whipple Lab, and she is interested in the molecular mechanisms of imprinting in the brain. Before joining the lab, she earned her PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno. During her PhD, she studied functions of long 3’UTR transcripts in neurons under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Miura. Min enjoys hiking and camping.
Katherine Gu
Research Assistant
katherine_gu[at]fas.harvard.edu
Katherine is a research assistant for the Whipple lab. She received her B.A. in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology from Vanderbilt University. Outside of lab, she enjoys working out, hiking, and trying restaurants in the Boston area.
Debaleena Kar
Postdoctoral Fellow
debaleenakar[at]fas.harvard.edu
Debaleena earned her PhD from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where she discovered her passion for RNA biology. Currently, as a postdoc she is focusing on the role of snoRNA in translation. Passionate about exploring diverse locales, she captures the essence of each locale through its coffee shops in her spare time.
Emma Pichot
Visiting Masters Student
epichot[at]fas.harvard.edu
Emma is a visiting Masters student from ETH Zürich interested in how non-coding RNAs influence ribosome formation. She received a B.Sc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University College Dublin. Outside of the lab, Emma enjoys hiking, card games, and ultimate frisbee.
Isra Galicia Silva
Graduate Student, MCO Program
mgaliciasilva[at]g.harvard.edu
Isra is a graduate student in the MCO program with an interest in therapeutics. She received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and completed a Post-Baccalaureate at the University of Pennsylvania. She loves introducing kids to science and volunteering. Outside of the lab, you can find Isra acting, watching musicals, enjoying nature, and building community.
Courtney Whilden
Graduate Student, PiN Program
courtneywhilden[at]g.harvard.edu
Courtney is a graduate student in the Program in Neuroscience. She is interested in the role of non-coding RNAs in brain development and function. Prior to Harvard, she studied cortical circuits and received a B.S. in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University. Outside of the lab, Courtney enjoys biking around Boston, doing yoga, walking her cat, and playing chess.
Sean Kagugube
Administrative Lab Coordinator
seankagugube[at]fas.harvard.edu
Sean is an Administrative Lab Coordinator in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology since 2025.