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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Bai Lab

Lab Members

PI

photo of Xiaofei Bai smiling directly at the camera. He is wearing black glasses, a gray blazer over a plaid shirt, and a blue cap with the Florida Gators logo on it. He is standing in front of a bookshelf that contains books and folders.

Xiaofei Bai Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Email: baixiaofei@ufl.edu
Phone: 352-294-8447
Office: Cancer & Genetics Research Complex, Room 438

Google Scholar Profile

 

Ph.D. – Department of Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2013-2018)

Postdoctoral fellow – NIDDK/NIH, Bethesda, MD (2018-2023)
Mentor: Dr. Andy Golden

Assistant Professor – University of Florida  (2023-Current)

 

Graduate Students

Milagros (Mila) Rincon Paz

Born and raised in Venezuela; I received my B.S. in Biology from the University of Central Florida. As an undergrad, I examined disease dynamics between fungal and viral pathogens in amphibian hosts using gene amplification and genomic data analysis. Joining  the Bai Lab in 2024, I will investigate the impacts of specific pathogenic mutations on signaling and metabolic pathways, in order to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease-associated genes.

 

 

Cameron Vanhorn 

I graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of South Florida in 2024. During that time, I studied rattlesnake venom evolution using proteomic and transcriptomic techniques. In the Bai lab, I plan to make use of transcriptomic and gene editing techniques to further understand the molecular mechanisms behind genetic diseases.

Undergraduate

Yooseong Wang

Yooseong is a sophomore at University of Florida, and majoring in Biochemistry. His research interests are cancer therapy and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Yooseong works on identifying genetic suppressors of the pathogenic variants in the fatty acid synthase gene fasn-1.

 

 

 

Honors and Awards:

2024 Recipient of UF University Scholars Program

2024 Recipient of UF GIAR Grant

2024 Recipient of UF Emerging Scholarship

 

Anushka Patil

Anushka is a sophomore at the University of Florida majoring in Health Sciences on the pre-med track. Her research interests include investigating CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for rare genetic disorders.

 

 

 

 

Ricardo Roure

I am a senior UF student pursuing my major in Microbiology and Cell Science major and a minor in Bioinformatics. I plan on obtaining my PhD in the field after finishing my bachelor’s and running my own lab. My research interests include anything related to microbes along with gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9.

 

 

Honors and Awards:

2024 Recipient of McNair Scholars Program

2024 Recipient of NSF REU

 

Carly Serlenga

I am a junior majoring in biology with minors in nutritional sciences and anthropology on the pre-medicine track. I am originally from New Jersey, and my research interests include cancer therapy and understanding the molecular causes of genetic disorders.

 

 

 

 

Sophia Monsalve

Sophia is a sophomore at the University of Florida studying biomedical engineering. With a background in biomedical sciences, she wants to incorporate her knowledge of biotechnology and genome editing into learning new ways to treat genetic diseases and techniques to better understand diseases at the cellular level.

 

 

 

Crystal Shao

I am a junior at the University of Florida majoring in Biotechnology. My primary research interests revolve around investigating the applications of CRISPR/Cas9, particularly in advancing genetic therapies and understanding gene function. Through my studies, I aim to contribute to innovative solutions in the biotechnology field.

 

 

 

Kate Campbell
Kate is a sophomore at the University of Florida, majoring in Biotechnology with a minor in Bioinformatics. She is passionate about research, particularly in genetic engineering and CRISPR technology, with a strong commitment to advancing the field and contributing to cures for genetic diseases.

Christy Shao
Christy is a sophomore at the University of Florida, pursuing a major in Microbiology & Cell Science and a minor in Computer Science. With aspirations of attending medical school after completing her bachelor’s degree, she is passionate about research that enhances patient care and drives innovation in healthcare.

Alumni

Jason Sadiqi, UF Undergraduate (2023).

Kavin L. Kovachik, UF Undergraduate (2023-2024).

Isabela Tagala, UF Undergraduate (2023-2024).

Lucy Lopate, UF Undergraduate (2024).