MEET OUR TEAM
We bring together diverse expertise in cell and molecular biology to drive discovery

Joe Nassour, PhD
Principal Investigator
Pasteur Institute - France
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, CA, US
Telomere functions in aging and cancer
Hiking, camping, exploring new breweries

Abigail Gillespie, PhD
NIA T32 Postdoctoral Fellow
University of California San Diego, CA, US
Regulation of DNA damage repair pathways at telomeres
Science outreach, running, reading, and going to the farmers' market

Rachid Boutoual, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, CA, US
Regulation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)
Soccer, hiking, and exploring new places

Remington Hoerr, PhD
NCI T32 Postdoctoral Fellow
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN, US
TERRA signaling and functions in aging and cancer
Big Brother, embroidery, podcasts, and coffee shops

Alexander Beacom
NCI T32 PhD Student
University of Notre Dame, IN, US
STING trafficking in innate immune signaling
Hiking, snowboarding, and cooking/baking

Tessa Holmstoen
PharMM T32 PhD Candidate
University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
Characterizing mechanisms of DNA double-strand break repair at dysfunctional telomeres
Music, baking, cooking, crochet, and hiking
Lab Fun
Here's a glimpse into our lab culture and the fun we have along the way.

Hockey game — Go Avalanche!

Topgolf for a top lab — Abby's crushing it!

Holiday gift exchange

Abby and Rachid's birthday celebration
Our Values
Innovation & Creativity
We encourage creative thinking and innovative approaches to complex biological questions. Our team is empowered to take calculated risks, explore new methodologies, and push the boundaries of cancer cell biology research.
Mentorship & Growth
We are committed to the professional and personal development of every lab member. Through dedicated mentorship, we help each individual reach their full potential and prepare for successful careers in science.
Inclusive & Diverse
We embrace diversity in all its forms and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Different perspectives and backgrounds strengthen our research and enrich our lab community.
Our Philosophy
Expectations of Postdocs
At our lab, we prioritize a supportive and collaborative environment. We seek individuals with inquisitive minds and strong critical thinking skills, who are fearless in addressing complex questions and humble enough to celebrate the success of others. We look for postdocs who are eager to learn new scientific skills, and willing to share their expertise with the lab. While each postdoc will have their own projects, they are expected to support one another in research, attend conferences, give presentations, and openly seek guidance when needed.
Expectations of Graduate Students
We seek graduate students passionate about exploring new scientific areas with an open mind. We value eagerness to learn from both successful and unsuccessful experiments, believing failures can be as informative as successes. Graduate students will lead their own research projects with support from myself and postdoctoral colleagues. We encourage attending scientific conferences, developing presentation skills, and openly communicating concerns and seeking guidance, as this is key to success in our lab.
Expectations of PI
As your supervisor, I am dedicated to supporting your career growth and development from the moment you consider joining our lab, throughout your tenure, and beyond. I value open communication and welcome feedback to improve my role as a PI. My door is always open to provide guidance and support, but I also expect you to reach out when you need my input. I prioritize the well-being of all lab members and am committed to your personal and professional growth. Know that I am invested in your success and will work with you to achieve your goals.
