Dan Wahl Laboratory | Radiation Oncology | Michigan Medicine

Dan Wahl Laboratory

Clockwise from left: Yangyang Yao, Navyateja Korimerla, Daniel Wahl, Hanshi Sun, Andrew Scott, Ayesha Kothari, Kari Romans, Christian Werner and Weihua Zhou

The overarching focus of the Wahl laboratory is to improve treatments for patients with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor. The group is especially interested in how abnormal metabolism confers radiation resistance in glioblastoma and using drug-radiation combinations to overcome this resistance.

Laboratory Lead

Daniel Wahl, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

734-936-4300

Lab Members

Weihua Zhou, PhD

Research Investigator

734-763-0921

Hanshi Sun, PhD

Research Lab Specialist

Navya Korimerla, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Navya is a post-doctoral research fellow in the Wahl lab. Navya obtained masters and bachelor's in India, after which she earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Stony Brook University, NY. Her doctoral research was on understanding how kinase substrate specificity of EGFR and PDGFR diversifies IL6 signaling and pro-metastatic phenotypes. In the Wahl lab, her research focuses on targeting the metabolic vulnerabilities to radiosensitize MTAP-deleted GBMs. She also works on metabolic strategies to radiosensitize IDH1 wild-type GBMs. Outside of the lab she enjoys painting, learning music, movies, and traveling.

Drew Scott, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Drew is a cancer biologist interested in identifying and targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in tumors. He joined the team after completing his doctoral research studying how mitochondria regulate cell death and survival in cancer cells. In the Wahl and Lyssiotis labs, he is using in vivo models to determine how metabolic activity governs radiation resistance in brain tumors and targeting these pathways in patients. Outside of the lab Drew enjoys life on the lake, reading, and running.

Joe Dresser

Ayesha Kothari

Ayesha is an undergraduate student entering her senior year at the University of Michigan where she studies Neuroscience and the Thai language. Ayesha hopes to attend medical school after graduating. Outside of the lab she enjoys volunteering at the Delonis Center, rollerblading, and painting.

Uchechi Nna

Uche is from Framingham, MA. She is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Gender and Health. She hopes to apply to MD programs next year and has an early interest in Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Gynecological Oncology. She loves her work in the Wahl Lab which focuses on targeting the Androgen Receptor to treat glioblastoma. In the future, she hopes to practice medicine in a preventive, community-centered way and work to the reduce health disparities. She enjoys volunteering with SAPAC, spending time with friends, running, and eating in Ann Arbor.

Erik Peterson

Graduate student

Erik is a Graduate Student in the Cancer Biology Program at the University of Michigan from Elmwood Park, Illinois. He received a B.S. (2014) and M.S. (2017) from Northern Michigan University (NMU), where he worked in the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center studying glioblastoma tumors. After NMU, he worked for two years at the Van Andel Research Institute as a research technician studying Ewing sarcoma tumors. Currently, he is studying how metabolism affects radiation therapy resistance in H3K27M-mutant pediatric gliomas. Outside of lab he enjoys cooking, video games, hunting, fishing, and frisbee golf.

Kelly Sokol

Kelly grew up in Rockford, Michigan and is currently going into her junior year at the University of Michigan. She is studying Biochemistry with a minor in Creative Writing. In the future, she hopes to receive acceptance into a medical school and specialize in pediatric oncology. Outside of the lab, Kelly enjoys tutoring Organic Chemistry, reading, and spending time with her college roommates.

Christian Werner

Christian is from Albuquerque, NM, and she attended the University of New Mexico, where she completed her bachelor’s in Biology. After graduation, she came to the University of Michigan to participate in the NIH Postbac Research Education Program (PREP), and she will be applying to MD/PhD programs this cycle. Her research in the Wahl lab focuses on targeting increased NADPH production by wild type IDH1 to achieve radiosensitization in glioblastoma. She enjoys spending time with her friends and boyfriend, outdoor activities, and being treasurer of the U of M SACNAS chapter.