Alper Laboratory

Frank Lee, PhD

Faculty Scientist
leef@njheatlh.org

Education

2016, PhD, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

Background

I earned my PhD in Taiwan in 2016. My PhD work focused on the alternative pre-mRNA splicing of fish Toll-like Receptor 9. I joined the Alper lab in late 2016 and have been working here since then. My research focus is to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating MyD88 alternative splicing. In my free time, I enjoy skiing and playing video games.  

Johnathon Schafer, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate
303.398.1269
schaferj@njhealth.org

Education

2014, BA Biochemistry and MCDB (Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology), U. of Colorado Boulder
2023, PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Background

I am interested in the function of the immune system at the molecular level. I earned my PhD in Molecular Biology while researching the cellular pathways affected by the cytoplasmic tail of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. After defending my thesis I joined the Alper Lab in 2023. I am now working to better understand how common mutations found in mRNA splicing factors from patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) lead to defective immune responses to bacterial infections.

Matthew Lapinig, BS

Laboratory Researcher
lapinigm@njhealth.org

Education

2021, BS in Biology, Northeastern University

Background

I have been a lab researcher in the Alper lab for over a year.  My research focuses on the effect of inflammatory stimuli on alternative pre-mRNA splicing in inflammatory signaling pathways.  In the future I hope to go to medical school! Outside of work I like to ski, snowboard, and play basketball.

Julia Hollaway, BA

Laboratory Researcher
hollawayj@njhealth.org

Education

2017, BA in Biology, University of Missouri

Background

I started working in the Alper Lab in March of 2023, and I love coming into work knowing I am making a difference in science and research. Before this job, I was working in Saint Louis, Missouri in a stem cell biology lab at Washington University, where I first found my passion for research. I moved to Denver last year, and so far I have enjoyed going on hikes with my dog and tending to my house plants.