Krishna Kumar, PhD
Prof. Kumar is Robinson Professor of Chemistry, was previously Chair of the Chemistry Department (2006-2009 and 2012-2018); Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University and a Member of the Cancer Center of the Tufts Medical Center. His research is at the interface of Chemistry, Biology and Medicine. His research group uses chemical and biological methods to create novel and functional molecules that allow understanding the mechanism of, and/or control biological processes. The group has diverse interests spanning organic chemistry, biophysics, cell biology, imaging and medicinal chemistry. Current areas of interest span the origin of life, therapeutic molecule design for Type 2 diabetes, cancer, NASH, Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s disease, smoking cessation; penetration of peptide molecules through the gut and the Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB) and in the development of novel antibiotics.
Jake Cortigiano
Jake is from Stamford, Connecticut and received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Connecticut in 2019. He joined the Tufts Chemistry Department in 2020 with the desire to study chemistry in the context of medicine and biology. Currently his work focuses on controlling GPCR signaling through ligand modification and design.
Haley Anchukaitis, PhD
Haley is from Wrentham, Massachusetts and received her B.S. in Chemistry with ACS Certification from St. Lawrence University in 2018. She joined the Tufts Chemistry Department in 2020 hoping to expand upon her knowledge of organic and medicinal chemistry. After a long day in lab, she enjoys going home to cook dinner and watch hockey. In her free time, she also enjoys swimming, hiking, and catching up on the latest Netflix shows with friends. Some of her favorite memories include skydiving and learning to surf while studying abroad in New Zealand.
Siyuan Xiang
Siyuan is from China, but he went to University of Delaware for undergraduate study. He received his B.S in Chemistry in 2020. He used to work in a chemical biology lab for two and half years studying secondary structure of protein. In his undergrad, he was in the esport team for 2 years. In his free time, he likes to play video games and travel.
Prithviraj Talukdar
Raj is from Long Island NY. He graduated from Macaulay Honors College with a degree in Biochemistry. He hopes to better understand the mechanisms behind disease and develop safer therapeutics. In his free time he takes care of his many plants and box turtle Lenore. He likes to produce music on the side.
Vladislav Khamraev
Vlad joined the group in a role of a Fulbright Visiting Scholar in the Fall 2021, continuing his reasearch as a graduate student. He received his master’s degree from Mendeleev University in 2017 under the guidance of Prof. Smushkevich. His primary research interest is focused on the development of novel methods for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. When not discovering new reactions, he learns new nursery rhimes, but eventually “can‘t remember the words to the song”.
Marina Spenciner
Marina was born in southern Massachusetts, but she enjoys visiting her family in Maine. She was a biochemistry major at WPI and gradutated in 2022. She likes being in the sun in the summer but is perpetually cold in the winter (which is only tolerable when she is skiing). She enjoys filling her apartment with plants, trying to learn different languages, and drawing abstract art when the mood strikes.
Ryan English
Ryan is from Grosse Pointe, Michigan and received his BS in biochemistry from the University of Michigan in 2025. His expertise from undergrad lies in dopaminergic neuron physiology, and he looks forward to learning more about GPCR agonists at Tufts. He enjoys running, tacos, watching the Detroit Lions and Tigers, and learning about historic Boston.
Shiyu (Susie) Dong
Shiyu(Susie) is originally from China and completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University Bloomington, where she majored in biochemistry. During her undergraduate years, she spent two and a half years in Dr. Zaleski’s lab developing pyridine-metalloenediyne complexes for cancer chemotherapy. After graduation, she rotated through an immunology lab focused on protein-protein interactions and protein structure determination, and a chemical biology lab focused on artificial nucleic acids synthesis. She joined the Kumar Lab, drawn by her interest in drug and therapeutic development, eager to deepen her expertise in biochemistry and chemical biology. Outside the lab, Susie enjoys hiking, traveling, watching movies and musicals, discovering folklore stories, untold history, and niche interesting knowledge and exploring new outdoor adventures whenever she gets the chance.
Ekaterina Khamraeva
Kate is from Stavropol, Russia. She graduated from NCFU in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. Her expertise lies at the interface of small-molecule and peptide therapeutic design, peptide late-stage functionalization, and green synthetic methodologies, including photo- and electrochemistry. She joined the group in late 2024. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, putting together puzzles, and embroidering to decorate her home.
Nikita Bhat
Nikita is a sophomore from Bedford, New Hampshire majoring in chemistry and biotechnology. On campus, she is involved in the club gymnastics team, and she writes and illustrates for the Undergraduate Breakthrough Journal. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading fantasy novels, crocheting, and watching her favorite shows on repeat. Nikita is excited to expand upon her knowledge of organic and medicinal chemistry.
Brett Waldman
Brett is a junior from Mount Kisco, New York studying biochemistry at Tufts. He is interested in drug design and looks forward to building his knowledge of organic chemistry. Outside of the lab, he works as an EMT as part of Tufts EMS and also locally in Somerville and Malden. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and video games with friends, and loves the adrenaline rush of watching horror movies at night.
Sophia Vezmar
Sophia is a junior studying chemistry and French and is from Minneapolis, MN. When not in Pearson, she can be found running at the track or reading on Prez lawn. On campus, Sophia is part of the club running team and AMPT (Association of Mixed People at Tufts). She likes to collect pins, go stargazing, and is a big fan of public transportation. Sophia can't wait to build upon her experience in synthetic and organic chemistry with the Kumar group!
Dhruv Shetty
Dhruv is a Sophomore from Palo Alto, California studying biochemistry at Tufts. He is especially interested in small molecule therapeutic designs and is looking forward to furthering his knowledge of organic chemistry. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing racket sports, hanging out with friends, going on long hikes, and day trips to the beach. He is very excited to learn under the Kumar Group!
Vittorio Montanari, Ph.D.
Dr. Vittorio Montanari is a Visiting Scholar at Tufts University. He oversees many projects in collaboration with the Kumar lab relating to peptide hormones that have the potential to ameliorate a large number of human conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and potentially Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Before Tufts, Vittorio earned a Ph.D. in organic and fluorine chemistry. He has extensive industrial organic synthesis experience. He is the cofounder of a company commercializing Tufts-patented technology, was a 2013 Mass Challenge finalist and served as the Chief Technology Officer for four years. He regularly runs marathons and hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon some day.