Meet the Team

Mohammad Alyamani, Ph.D.

  • Mohammad, originally from Ma’an Jordan, completed his undergraduate and master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Jordan. He then worked for a CRO for 9 years, where he built his skills in developing novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods. In 2014 he decided to pursue his PhD in clinical & bioanalytical chemistry and joined Nima Sharifi lab at the Cleveland Clinic. After graduation, he led the analytical side of the Dr. Sharifi's group. During the years Mohammad investigated the metabolic changes in patients with prostate cancer. In 2023, he moved to the Desai Sethi Urological Institute at the University of Miami as a research assistant professor. Dr. Alyamani will continue his studies that focus on new strategies in the management of prostate cancer by identifying biomarkers of response or resistance through studying alterations in metabolic pathways due to treatment by utilizing metabolomics approaches.

Ziqi Zhu, Ph.D.

  • Ziqi completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Chinese Academy of Science in 2012 where he discovered several histone demethylases and began investigating their role in prostate cancer. Post-graduation, he joined Dr. Sharifi’s team as a postdoctoral researcher investigating the synthesis and inactivation of androgens. In 2023, Ziqi moved with the team to the Desai Sethi Urological Institute at the University of Miami as a Research Assistant Professor. His primary interest lies in studying the regulatory mechanisms of the androgen synthesis system.

Xiuxiu Li, Ph.D.

  • Xiuxiu Li, originally from China, completed her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She has experience in kinase-regulated phosphorylation in cancer and the impact of steroid metabolism on hormone-related cancer. She is currently dedicated to investigating the role of 3βHSD1 activity in hormone therapy for prostate and breast cancer. Her research interests also extend to androgen and estrogen production and metabolism in hormone-related diseases.

Zhiqun ‘Cindy’ Zhou, Ph.D.

Yoon-Mi Chung, M.S.

  • With over two decades dedicated to advancing the field of mass spectrometry, Yoon-Mi has had the privilege of focusing on the analysis of small molecules in various diseases. She specializes in developing and validating LC/MS/MS methods tailored for the detection of various small molecules in diverse clinical research endeavors. Since joining the Sharifi Group in 2015, Yoon-Mi has been collaborating closely with her colleagues, both within the Sharifi Group and external collaborators to provide analytical support to detect various small molecules, especially steroids.

    Also, taking on the responsibility of procuring new analytical instruments, overseeing maintenance, providing training, and coordinating room setups are facets of Yoon-Mi's role that she approaches with humility and a genuine passion for contributing to the success of the team. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dedicated group.

Nikou Fotouhi, Ph.D.

  • Born and raised in Iran, Nikou started his scientific journey at the age of 19 focusing on the study of human genetic disorders. His passion for basic science led him to the (Ted) Edward Elliston Farmer lab at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) in Switzerland, where he investigated the role of Ca2+ transporters on wound-induce electrical signaling in Arabidopsis and earned his Ph.D. in 2021. Throughout his doctoral studies, he discovered the pivotal roles of two plasma membrane Ca2+ pumps on cells excitably in response to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Driven by his curiosity and passion to amalgamate basic and translational sciences, Nikou Joined the Sharifi team at Cleveland Clinic in 2022 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing steroid metabolites regulation in castrated-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In 2023, Nikou was affiliated with the Desai Sethi Urological Institute at the University of Miami (UM) as an assistant scientist. This new role provides him with a unique opportunity to concentrate on the molecular regulatory mechanisms within steroidogenesis pathways.

Ritika Tiwari, Ph.D.

  • Ritika completed her Ph.D. in molecular and cancer biology from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India. In 2020, she joined Nima Sharifi's group as a postdoctoral fellow at Cleveland Clinic. In 2023, she moved with the group to the Desai Sethi Urological Institute at the University of Miami as an assistant scientist. Her primary interest lies with understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in hormone driven cancers.

Somayeh Layeghi, Ph.D.

  • Somayeh earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) and subsequently completed a Ph.D. in pharmacology in Iran. In 2022, she joined Dr. Sharifi’s team as a postdoctoral research fellow. Her research primarily focuses on the physiological regulation of steroid hormones in the human body, with a specific interest in understanding how the disruption of these hormones contributes to hormone-dependent cancers.

Robert Alan Burgess, M.S.

  • Originally from North Carolina, Alan started his academic career at Catawba College completing his B.S. in Chemistry in 2012. During that time he also worked with Filtech USA to develop HPLC methods for QC of topical cosmetics such as ChapSticks. He moved on to Utah State University to pursue graduate work in the lab of Dr. Nick Dickenson. He focused on a combination of analytical and biochemical methods, creating novel instrumentation to study host-pathogen interactions at membrane interfaces. He completed his M.S. in analytical chemistry in 2017. In 2018, he moved to Miami where his wife is pursuing medical school. While at the University of Miami, he as worked for Drs. Joyce Slingerland and Emmanuel Thomas, focusing on everything from breast cancer and mouse models to innate immunity and developmental biology. In 2023, he joined Dr. Nima Sharifi’s group at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, part of the University of Miami, to investigate prostate cancer and expand his technical expertise to include mass spectrometry.

Robert Alexander Diaz, M.S.

  • Robert, a Miami, FL. native, received his Master of Science degree from the University of Florida in Microbiology and Cell Science with a focus in medical microbiology and biochemistry. In his time at the University of Miami's Cancer Modeling Shared Resource, he developed his skills in generating in-vivo models of cancer to investigate novel treatment therapies in a pre-clinical setting. In addition to generating these models, he developed his skills in histopathology to offer a variety of services to members of the university. In 2023, he joined Dr. Sharifi's lab at the Desai Sethi Urological Institute within the University of Miami as a Senior Research Associate to investigate the mechanisms associated with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Eric Cordeiro Spinetti, Ph.D.

  • Eric, originally from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), completed his B.Sc. in Biotechnology and M.S. in Tissue Biology back in his hometown before moving to the Van Andel Institute where he completed his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular and Cellular Biology. In 2023, he joined Dr. Sharifi’s lab where he is investigating how prostate cancer cells rewire their metabolism to survive front line treatments. His research aims to understand the crosstalk between metabolites and cancer growth. This knowledge will propel the development of new therapies that disrupt this adaptation, potentially reducing the recurrence of tumors and their spread to other parts of the body.

Lucia Pannunzio, B.S.

  • Lucia, originally from Buenos Aires (Argentina), completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Development with a minor in Global Health from Cornell University in 2023. During her college career, she has been involved in multiple research and community development projects. In 2022, she spent the summer in Moshi, Tanzania, where she conducted research to support local medical school’s efforts to address increased morbidity and health disparities of underserved populations. Soon after graduation, she joined Dr. Sharifi’s team as a project coordinator to support the expansion of the department’s scientific program and take the lead in organizing and facilitating meetings for the group, and other members of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. In her free time, Lucia enjoys playing beach volleyball with friends.

pannunziolucia@miami.edu

Alireza Abdshah, M.D., M.S.

  • Alireza, originally from Iran, completed his medical training at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and received his biostatistics degree from University of Miami. Alireza has experience in clinical studies and data analysis. Currently, he works as a biostatistician in the lab. He is interested in cancer studies, prevention of aging, and use of machine learning in clinical studies to aid in diagnosis and prognosis.

Francielle Mosele, Ph.D.

  • Francielle, originally from São Paulo (Brazil), a biologist, completed her M.S. in Science (Cell, Tissue, and Developmental Biology) in 2018. During her Ph.D. in General and Applied Biology, she focused on understanding the adiponectin effects on prostate cancer. Francielle joined Sharifi's lab in December of 2023 and will be contributing to the research as a new postdoc!

fxm701@med.miami.edu

Masoud Bitaraf, M.D.

  • Seyyed Masoud Bitaraf (Masoud Bitaraf in published articles), originally from Iran, completed his medical doctorate degree at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. He has experience in basic and clinical research in urology and regenerative medicine. Currently, he is a post-doctoral associate at Sharifi lab. Masoud is interested in genitourinary cancers, less-invasive diagnostic methods, water activities, paragliding, and TV series. 

bitaraf@miami.edu

Sunita Sinha, Ph.D.

  • Sunita, originally from Jharkhand, India, completed her Ph.D. in Deciphering The Role Of P32 In Melanoma Tumor Progression And Metastasis. Sunita has extensive experience in Cancer Biology. Sunita joined Sharifi’s Lab in January of 2024 as a new Postdoctoral Associate. Sunita is a nature lover who likes travelling, listening to music, and gardening.

Jade Tarango

  • Jade, originally from Grand Rapids, MI, is completing her B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Miami. Jade previously interned at Van Andel Insitute where she studied microbiome-mediated insulin signaling. Currently, Jade is interning under Dr. Eric Cordeiro-Spinetti to research the interaction of metabolites and prostate cancer. In her spare time, Jade enjoys going on runs and exploring Miami.

jlt187@miami.edu

Celia Frank

  • Celia Frank is originally from Westfield, New Jersey. Celia is studying biochemistry and nutrition at the University of Miami on the pre-med track. Currently, Celia is an intern at the Sharifi lab. Some of Celia's other hobbies are knitting, crocheting and volunteering.

  • Olivia completed her Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology with a Chemistry minor at the University of Miami, receiving the Magna Cum Laude distinction. She is currently developing a research project for her PhD thesis in Cancer Biology. She is interested in the underlying biochemistry dictating aberrant steroidogenesis in cancer cells, drug development, and the many interactions that occur in the tumor microenvironment. She hopes that her work will have a translational impact for patients.

Olivia Tonini, B.S.

Katerina Lomis, B.S.

  • Katerina Lomis, originally from Maryland, completed his/her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and nutrition. Katerina has experience in fluorescent protein purification. Currently, Katerina is a Research Associate assisting in various metabolism and gene expression experiments centered around androgens and glucocorticoids. Katerina is interested in genetics, genomics, epigenetics, the microbiome, singing, music production, and dance.

  • Thomas Fekete, originally from Jupiter, Florida, completed his B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Miami in 2022. He completed his M.S. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Miami in 2023. After this, he worked with Dr. Sanjoy Bhattacharya and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute on investigating novel therapeutic metabolite treatments for glaucoma. Thomas joined Dr. Sharifi’s lab in July 2024 and will be bridging both the wet lab and clinical worlds as a Clinical Research Coordinator. In his free time, he enjoys working out, cooking, exploring new places and reading.

Thomas Fekete, M.S.

Emad Gad, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Emad Gad, originally from Egypt, is a University of Miami Scientist. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in organic chemistry from Egypt's Suez Canal University, Faculty of Science. He worked as an Assistant Professor of organic chemistry at Egypt's Suez Canal University's Faculty of Science. He obtained a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Zurich University, Switzerland, as part of a joint scholarship under the supervision of Prof. John Robinson. Dr. Gad's research interests are in the synthesis and evaluation of novel organic compounds with applications in medicine and materials science.

emadgad@miami.edu

Felipe Cassaro Vechin, Ph.D.


  • Felipe, originally from São Paulo, Brazil, completed his bachelor's in Physical Education with a focus on exercise training. He has experience in physical exercise training for performance and health outcomes across diverse populations. Felipe earned his M.S. in Science by investigating different exercise training models in the elderly. During his Ph.D., he studied how physical exercise impacts skeletal muscle and blood hormone levels, including steroids and growth factors, in well-strength-trained men.

    Currently, Felipe is conducting postdoctoral research on the effects of physical exercise on fitness and health outcomes in breast cancer patients. His work also explores the role of exercise in steroid metabolism within the blood, tumor microenvironment, and the tumor itself. Felipe is enthusiastic about researching how physical exercise can aid in cancer treatments. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and footvolley, spending time at home with family, and engaging in outdoor activities.

fcv19@miami.edu

Jinyuan ‘Kristina’ Shi, M.S

  • Kristina, originally from Shanghai, China, completed her Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University in 2024. Kristina has experience in mass spectrometry testing and analysis on small molecules and biomolecules. Currently, Kristina does metabolomics on patient samples with prostate cancer. She devotes to develop novel LC-MS methods and expand her mass spec expertise. Kristina is interested in playing the piano, tennis, and skiing. 

kristinashi@miami.edu

Khyaati Magon

  • Khyaati Magon is originally from New Delhi, India. Khyaati is currently completing her B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on the Pre- Medical Track at the University of Miami. She is interning in the Sharifi Lab under Dr. Ritika Tiwari. 

kxm1552@miami.edu