Alessandro Vindigni, PhD

Alessandro Vindigni, PhD

Principal Investigator, Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Immunology

Director, Center for Genome Integrity
Siteman Cancer Center

I completed my graduate training in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics in Italy at the University of Padua and my postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis. In 2002, I was appointed Group Leader in Genome Stability at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), which is an intergovernmental organization aligned with the United Nations system and based in Trieste, Italy. In 2011, I relocated to Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where I worked as Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Since 2015, I have been serving as Co-Leader of the DNA Metabolism and Repair (DMR) program of the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine. In 2019, I accepted my current position as Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine with the goal of fostering interactions and new collaborations between laboratories working in the closely related areas of DNA damage response, DNA replication and repair, telomere biology, and gene regulation. I have always been fascinated by the mechanisms that bridge DNA and people together! Outside the lab, I enjoy running, going to art exhibits and spending time with my family!

Sumedha Agashe, PhD

Sumedha Agashe, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate

I am a post-doctoral research associate in the lab. I am originally from India, I did Masters in India and then moved to Italy to join as a PhD student in IFOM-Milan. During PhD I worked on mechanisms to regulate natural replication fork pausing and fragile regions of the genome. In the Vindigni lab, my project focuses on the role of proteins that regulate DNA methylation and subsequent oxidation in replication fork dynamics. We are particularly interested in understanding how this regulation changes in hematopoietic malignancies. Along with research, I am interested in paper quilling and outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.

Vlad Sviderskiy, MD, PhD

Vlad Sviderskiy, MD, PhD

Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP) trainee

I am currently a resident in the department of radiation oncology in the physician scientist program. I received my MD/PhD from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and will be spending my research time in the Vindigni lab. My project will focus on overcoming resistance to PARP inhibitors. When not in the clinic or lab, I enjoy watching soccer, reading, and spending time with my family.

Celia Rouault, PhD

Celia Rouault, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate

I completed my PhD in Oncology at the Aix-Mareille University, where I worked in the Ginestier, Charafe-Jauffret group, on the regulation of STAT3/Fanconi anemia axis and synthetic lethality in the context of tumor heterogeneity. I started my postdoctoral studies in the Vindigni’s lab focusing on the mechanisms of fork breakage and repair after PARP inhibitor exposure in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutant context.

Mithila Tennakoon, PhD

Mithila Tennakoon, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate

I am originally from Sri Lanka. After completing my undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, I moved to Ohio, USA to join the PhD program at the University of Toledo. During my PhD, I focused on understanding the molecular regulation of G protein localization and its pharmacological implications. My interest in pursuing a research career in developing targeted therapy for cancer to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance led me to join the Vindigni lab in 2023 as a post-doctoral associate. Currently, my project focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which PRIMPOL-dependent single-stranded DNA gaps are repaired. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, watching movies and TV series on Netflix, baking, and traveling.

Isabelle Seppa

Isabelle Seppa

PhD Student

I’m a PhD Cancer Biology candidate originally from Massachusetts and grew up hiking and kayaking. I did my undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology at Fairfield University in Connecticut and am interested in ways we can use the DNA damage repair pathways to understand chemoresistance. My current project in the Vindigni lab seeks to elucidate the mechanism by which MRE11 resects single-stranded DNA gaps. I enjoy being in book clubs with other graduate students and currently play in a pinball league. Since moving to STL, I have been to many indie concerts and like watching hockey games even though I’ve never quite gotten the hang of skating. In lab I would most likely be voted “the lab jukebox and resident dancer”.

Sierra Wallace

Sierra Wallace

PhD Student

I am a graduate student in the Molecular Genetics and Genomics (MGG) PhD program. I grew up in New Jersey and attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where I received my BS in Biological Sciences. Currently, I am testing the mechanisms by which BRCA1, UBC13 and RAD18 play a role in fork recovery using breast cancer cells as a model. One of my interests is studying the mechanistic differences in fork protection and recovery in BRCA1 and BRCA2 deficient cells. I have the tendency to binge watch several seasons of a show and never finish it (I keep telling myself I’ll finish it eventually). Sometimes you’ll find me attempting to remake my mom’s recipes with some success. I’m always in the mood to check out blown glass artwork. In lab I would be voted most likely to take random breaks to get chai lattes.

Mahsa Rastegar

Mahsa Rastegar

Visiting Researcher

I am a PhD student in Molecular Medicine at the University of Udine, Italy interested in investigating unconventional pathways that lead to tumorigenicity in individuals carrying BRCA1 gene mutations, with a specific focus on transcription and alternative splicing. Currently, I am working the Vindigni’s lab as a visiting researcher studying the role of BRCA1 in genome stability and replication fork protection. Outside the lab, I am thrilled with traveling and facing new challenges and experiences.

Jessica Jackson

Jessica Jackson

Lab Manager

My name is Jessica Jackson and I am the Lab Manager for the Vindigni Lab. I have over 20 years of experience working in a lab setting and have been with the Vindigni Lab for over 7 years now. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri including acquiring both my degrees in Missouri with an undergrad from the University of Missouri – Columbia (MIZZOU) and a graduate degree from Saint Louis University. I enjoy crafting in my spare time including sewing, quilting, woodworking and home decor projects. I also love spending time with my sweet, adorable children, Emily and Connor and spoiling my gorgeous cat, Cricket.

Mangsi Limbu

Mangsi Limbu

Lab Technician

Mangsi graduated with a BS in Biology from Truman State University. She joined our lab in 2021 as a Research Technician II and is currently working on a project to identify the factor(s) that helps sustain DNA replication when both fork reversal and repriming are abrogated. Outside the lab, you’ll find Mangsi in her kitchen trying new recipes or in her living room playing guitar. In the lab, she would be voted the “lab (self-timer) photographer.”

Nidhi Athreya

Nidhi Athreya

Undergraduate Student

I am a second-year undergraduate student at WashU majoring in microbiology and global health. I am very passionate about medicine and medical research. In the Vindigni lab, I am working on a project to better understand how TET2 mutations cause increased sensitivity to specific cancer therapies, especially in the context of hematopoietic malignancies. Outside of research, I enjoy reading, running, and yoga. In lab I would be voted coolest undergraduate!

Yixuan Liu

Yixuan Liu

Undergraduate Student

I am an undergraduate student at WashU majoring in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration. After graduation, I plan to go to medical school and pursue my goal of becoming a health professional. In the Vindigni Lab, I am interested to study the mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells with the assistance and guidance of my mentors. During the summer of 2024, I investigated the mechanisms of PARPi resistance in breast/ovarian cancer cells in the lab. Outside of research, I enjoy learning how to play the piano, listening to music, calling my family, or baking in the kitchen.