Pavlova Lab Members
Natasha (Natalya) Pavlova, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Natasha grew up in Novosibirsk in Siberia, Russia. She did her Ph.D. research at Harvard Medical School in Dr. Stephen Elledge's lab, where she used genetic screening methods to identify novel contributors to tumorigenesis. For her postdoc training, Natasha joined Dr. Craig Thompson's lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where she investigated how amino acid depletion reconfigures tRNA charging, protein synthesis and cell behavior. She joined the University of Utah - Huntsman Cancer Institute in October of 2022 as an Assistant Professor. Natasha enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.
Mumtaz Shirin
Ph.D. Student in Oncological Sciences
Mumtaz Shirin was born and raised in Muscat, Oman, but returned to her home country Bangladesh after high school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2020 from the University of Science and Technology Chittagong (USTC) with a summa cum laude. She joined the Biological Chemistry track of the Biosciences program at the University of Utah in Fall 2022. In the lab, Mumtaz is currently studying the translational regulation of RUNX2 in determining osteoprogenitor cell fate. Outside lab work, Mumtaz enjoys cooking different cuisines, classical dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.
Lisa Shakachite
Ph.D. Student in Oncological Sciences
Lisa is a third-year student in the Department of Oncological Sciences at the U. She grew up in Zambia and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Western Kentucky University. Her passion and curiosity for science led her to pursue her master’s degree focused on understanding the genetics of breast cancer in Zambia and promoting the use of genetic information in disease screening. She is currently in the Pavlova lab investigating what signaling and metabolic prerequisites allow cells to become independent of external glutamine supply leading to it's de novo synthesis. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling to exciting new places and exploring new restaurants and activities! An interesting fact about her is that she is artistic and is currently learning how to draw professionally.
Libby Brooks
Master's Student in Biomedical Engineering
Libby is from Boston, MA. She is currently working towards her M.S. in biomedical engineering. Libby joined the Pavlova lab in January 2023. Previously she worked in Dr Brenda Mann's lab researching the use of hydrogels for long term drug delivery. Outside the lab Libby enjoys running, swimming, and reading.
Derek Lewis
Undergraduate Thesis Student
Derek Lewis is pursuing a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah. Alongside his major, he is earning a certificate in Regulatory Affairs and a minor in music. Derek joined Dr. Pavlova's Lab in November of 2023. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Derek is passionate about jazz music and plays the tenor saxophone. He enjoys the outdoors, traveling and exploring new cultures.
Holbrook (Brooks) Hawkes
Research Technician
Holbrook (Brooks) was raised in Sammamish, Washington. He completed his Bachelors degree in Biology at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a research assistant at the Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster, where he conducted research on the fungi of Great Salt Lake micobrobialites. He joined Dr. Natasha Pavlova’s lab as a Lab Technician in August of 2024. Holbrook enjoys baking, hiking, skiing, and reading.
Former Lab Members
Kana Yoshigi
Research Technician
Kana grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Utah in 2022. During her time there, she studied cell adhesion and migration of fibroblast cells through surveying Integrin associated proteins and their responses to growth factor stimulation. She joined the Pavlova Lab as a technician in October of 2022. Outside of the lab, Kana enjoys spending time outdoors, volunteering, and exploring the growing food scene in the Salt Lake area.
Pavlova Lab
Department of Oncological Sciences
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
2000 Circle of Hope Dr - Research South
Salt Lake City, UT
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