Lab Members
PI
Xiaofei Bai Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Email: baixiaofei@ufl.edu
Phone: 352-294-8447
Office: Cancer & Genetics Research Complex, Room 438
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. Started in the Bai Lab 2024, I have been investigating the impacts of disease specific mutations on signaling and metabolic pathways, in order to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease-associated genes.
Lab Technicians
Miranda Guse
Miranda is a recent Integrative Biology graduate from the University of Florida with a strong interest in genetic disease research and therapeutic development. She plans to pursue a PhD in Genetics and is especially enthusiastic about leveraging technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 to advance her skill set. Her time in the Bai Lab has deepened her understanding of molecular techniques and the multifaceted responsibilities of laboratory research.
Undergraduate
Kezia Abraham
Kezia is a freshman at the University of Florida, pursuing a major in Preprofessional Biology and a minor in Pathogenesis on the pre-medical track. As an aspiring physician, she is interested in using CRISPR/Cas9 to develop therapies for genetic disorders, specifically cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In the Bai Lab, she focuses on using PCR and DNA sequencing to identify genetic suppressors that can mitigate the effects of missense mutations associated with genetic diseases.
Addison Boulnois
Addie is a sophomore at the University of Florida, majoring in Health Science with a minor in Nutritional Science. She is interested in understanding the relationship between genetic factors and disease development, particularly how genome editing may be used to modify disease-associated pathways. She hopes to deepen her knowledge of laboratory safety and procedures while gaining a better understanding of how research conducted behind the scenes can ultimately contribute to improved patient care.
Stephanie Chen
I am a sophomore at the University Florida majoring in Biomedical Engineering. My research interests center on understanding the methods of genetic modification and applying these methods to learn how specific genes and proteins drive disease. I hope to pursue a career in the biotechnology industry, contributing to the development of disease therapies.
Graycen Horne
Graycen is a sophomore at the University of Florida, majoring in Health Science with minors in Chemistry and Disabilities in Society, on the pre-med track. She is particularly interested in research focused on the pezo-1 project, and understand regulatory mechanisms underlying pezo-1. She aims to deepen her knowledge of experimental research and further develop her skills in a laboratory setting, and hopes to contribute to advancements in the treatment and understanding of genetic health conditions.
Jena Itraish
Jena is a junior at the University of Florida majoring in Biology with a minor in Arabic on the pre-medical track. She is passionate about investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of rare and often overlooked diseases and applying genomic tools to understand their genetic basis. Her research interests include CRISPR, sequencing, and bioinformatic approaches for studying genetic variation. Through this work, she seeks to contribute to advancing therapies and improving patient care for individuals with understudied conditions.
Claire Kain
Claire is a junior at the University of Florida majoring in Health Science with a minor in Health Disparities on the pre-med track. She is passionate about research and genome editing, as well as understanding molecular causes for genetic disorders and developing therapies for these disorders.
Alexis Koch
I am a junior at the University of Florida majoring in biology on the pre-medicine track. I’m passionate about research focusing on the applications of CRISPR, specifically that which leads to the development of genetic therapeutics, along with understanding specific molecular causes of genetic disorders.
Sophia Morton
Sophia is a junior at the University of Florida, majoring in Biotechnology. She is deeply interested in using CRISPR/Cas9 for genetic and disease-based research. She hopes that through her work with the Bai lab she can increase knowledge and skill to further pursue research opportunities in diseases and oncology in the future, and plans to get a PhD in Genetics/Genomics.
Katharine Paleias
Kat is a sophomore at the University of Florida, majoring in Preprofessional Biology. She is passionate about understanding how research turns into real-world treatments for patients and hopes that her work in the Bai Lab will make a meaningful impact on clinical science.
Anushka Patil
Anushka is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Florida, pursuing a majoring in Health Sciences and a minor in Health Disparities. She is interested in rare disease genetics and is currently investigating genetic suppressors of the air-2(or207) allele in the context of breast cancer. Her focus is to help advance more targeted and effective treatments for individuals with rare or often overlooked conditions.
Christy Shao
Christy is a senior at the University of Florida, pursuing a major in Microbiology & Cell Science and a minor in Nutritional Sciences. With aspirations of attending medical school, she is passionate about research that enhances patient care and drives innovation in healthcare. Her current research centers around finding genetic suppressors for the temperature-sensitive sqv-8 mutant which models a rare connective tissue disease (Larsen-like Syndrome).
Honors and Awards:
2025 Recipient of UF University Scholars Program
Elva Shao
Elva is a junior at the University of Florida, majoring in Biology on a pre-med track. Her research interests lie in areas of genetic disease and reproductive health, with a strong emphasis on advanced technologies like CRISPR/Cas9. She is passionate about using these techniques to investigate rare genetic diseases and contribute to the advancement of treatments that improve health outcomes and shape the future of medicine.
Honors and Awards:
2026 Recipient of UF University Scholars Program
Kimberly Ung-Davy
Kimberly is a sophomore at the University of Florida majoring in Biology with aspirations of attending medical school. Her research interests include using CRISPR/Cas9 to study and treat genetic diseases, as well as employing DNA sequencing and utilizing bioinformatics tools to identify disease-causing mutations. She hopes to integrate these genomic technologies to help pave the way for future clinical applications.
Honors and Awards:
2026 Recipient of UF University Scholars Program
Alumni
Rotation Students
Rhea Arya, UF Graduate (2025).
Current: Graduate student in Dr. Thomas Burris’s lab.
Graduate Students
Cameron Vanhorn, UF Graduate (2024).
Current: Teaching Biology at high school.
Ellie Brill, UF Graduate (2025-2026).
Current: Moving to industry.
Undergraduate Students
Jason Sadiqi, UF Undergraduate (2023).
Kavin L. Kovachik, UF Undergraduate (2023-2024).
Isabela Tagala, UF Undergraduate (2023-2024).
Current: Medical student at UCF
Lucy Lopate, UF Undergraduate (2024).
Carly Serlenga, UF Undergraduate (2023-2024).
Kate Campbell, UF Undergraduate (2024-2025).
Ricardo Roure, UF Undergraduate (2023-2025).
Current: Graduate Student at UCLA Systems Biology program.
Crystal Shao, UF Undergraduate (2024-2025).
Current: Graduate Student at UT-MD-Anderson Cancer Center
Sophia Monsalve, UF Undergraduate (2024-2026).
Caitlyn Garcia, UF Undergraduate (2025-2026).
Emaan Ahmed, UF Undergraduate (2024-2026).
Sadie Steuterman, UF Undergraduate (2026).
Yooseong Wang, UF Undergraduate (2023-2026).