Lab Members
Current Lab Members
Gustavo H.B. Maegawa, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Maegawa is a physician-scientist conducting research in lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), including developing therapies based on the discovery of novel targets relevant to driving pathogenesis of the progressive neurodegenerative manifestations. The Maegawa lab uses diverse methodologies and innovative to develop cell-based high-throughput screening assays to identify small molecules that can target critical targets in neurological LSDs. Dr. Maegawa, with an outstanding clinical team, is also establishing a dedicated LSD clinical program to offer specialized care and clinical trials opportunities for patients and families. Dr. Maegawa also holds a clinical faculty appointment, and he participates in providing care for patients with inherited metabolic and other genetic disorders.
Salma Begum, Ph.D
Associate Research Scientist
Dr. Begum is highly motivated biological scientist with extensive and outstanding research expertise in different fields of biological and biochemical research including establishing and characterizing immortalized cell lines and murine surgical and therapeutic experiments. Dr. Begum obtained her Ph.D. degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan, and post-doctoral training at University of Toronto, Canada, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and Columbia University, New York, NY. She joined Maegawa lab last spring and her research goals are focused on characterizing small molecules and extracelllular vesicles as potential therapies for globoid-cell leukodystrophy and other related disorders. Dr. Begum also serves as the lab manager for Maegawa lab.
David Larr, B.Sc.
Laboratory Technologist
Mr. Larr graduated from Fordham University, Bronx, NY, major biology, minor biology ethics. Previously, David worked at Pandemic Response Lab, Queens, NY as a laboratory technician. He joined the Maegawa Lab in the spring of 2022, and is interested in establishing neurologically relevant disease-cell models and their applications to the treatment of lysosomal diseases. David future goals is to pursue graduate studies in biological sciences .
We are hiring!!
We are seeking a highly-motivated postdoctoral researchers, students and laboratory technicians with a biomedical science background to work on projects focused on lysosomal storage diseases and therapeutic development. The projects involve applying cellular and in vivo experiments in combination with innovative tandem mass spectrometry, electrophysiological and imaging methods.
Our lab believes in and recognizes diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives, which are crucial for advancements in our area as in any high complex field of sciences. Therefore, all candidates, including those from underrepresented communities, are encouraged to apply to join the Maegawa lab, where a culture of communal cooperation, rigor, intellect, and respect are highly valued.
Please contact the principal investigator directly by emailing: gm3025@cumc.columbia.edu
Most Recent Lab Alumni
Anatalia Labilloy, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
Early Faculty Mentee
Maegawa Lab 2018-2021
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL
John Santelices, BSc.
Graduate Student
Maegawa Lab 2018-2022
University of Florida, IFAS, Dept. of Microbiology and Cell Science
Rachel Kalicharam, BSc.
Master student at UF/IFAS – Cell Science and Microbiology
Maegawa Lab 2019-2020
Adi Cohen
Premedical student UF/Biology (major)
Maegawa Lab, 2019-2020
Prachi Bhavsar
UF Biomedical Engineering
Maegawa Lab, 2019-2020
Jairo Hernandez, BSc.
Premed Research Student
Maegawa Lab, 2018-2020
Currently, attending Medical Student at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Isabella Fabian, BSc.
Premed Research Student
Maegawa Lab, 2017-2020
Current, attending Lousiana State University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Seif Hanbali, BSc.
Premed Research Student
Maegawa Lab, 2018-2020
Current, lab technician at Brusko Lab, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Rebecca Zelmanovich, BSc.
Premed Research Student
Maegawa Lab, 2017-2018
Current, attending University of Central Florida, College of Medicine, Orlando, FL
Vivian Godoy, MSc.
Lab Technician
Maegawa Lab, 2017-2019
Master Student, School of Public Health (MPH), Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
Priya Shil, Bsc.
Lab Technician
Maegawa Lab, 2017-2019
Student, Herbert Wertheir College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Dae Song Jang, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Maegawa Lab, 2015-2017
Postdoctoral fellow, NIH, NIDDK, Bethesda, MD
Natalia Gutierrez, BSc.
Lab Technician
Maegawa Lab, 2016-2017
Chemistry Ph.D. candidate, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Shin-ichi Kano, M.D., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Maegawa Lab, 2013-2015
Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Neurobiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Melani Solomon, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Maegawa Lab, 2013-2015
Assistant Professor, Inst. for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
