People

Dr. Moding is a physician scientist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University. He received his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Colorado College in 2008 where he performed population genetics and analytical chemistry research. He completed the Medical Scientist Training Program at Duke University School of Medicine in 2015. For his PhD, Dr. Moding worked in the laboratory of Dr. David Kirsch studying the mechanisms regulating tumor response to radiation therapy. He performed his postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Dr. Maximilian Diehn at Stanford University as part of the Holman Research Pathway using circulating tumor DNA to monitor the response of patients with lung cancer to radiation therapy.

Neda received her undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Tehran, Iran and subsequently undertook a master’s degree in Molecular Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at San Jose State University. She is using NGS technologies to study the response of soft tissue sarcomas and other cancers to treatment. When outside the lab she enjoys swimming, cooking, and watching old classic movies.

TJ is a recent graduate from UC Santa Barbara, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He is fascinated by the intersection of computer science and biology and often finds himself developing strategies to analyze all kinds of “omics” data. TJ is currently using circulating tumor DNA and other NGS-based approaches to assess and predict cancer patient response to radiation therapy. When TJ isn’t working on RNA-seq pipelines or A.I. cell classification systems, he enjoys running, weightlifting, and losing at board games with friends.

Ziwei received her BE in biopharmaceutics at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. She obtained her PhD in Nutritional Biology at UC Davis, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Patricia Oteiza investigating the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of (-)-epicatechin on high-fat-induced intestinal permeability and endotoxemia. She currently works as a postdoctoral fellow, establishing a platform to rapidly validate the functional impact of genetic alterations in tumor cells and potential therapeutic targets in the stromal cells of primary tumors. She is as passionate about working in the lab as she is about enjoying nature by doing outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, travelling, and trying out new foods.

Dr. Blomain is a physician scientist training as a Holman Pathway Research Resident in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University. He received his bachelor's degree as a double major in Biology and Classic Civilizations from Cornell University in 2009 where he performed genetics research. He completed the MD/PhD Program at Thomas Jefferson University in 2018. For his PhD, Dr. Blomain worked in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Waldman studying the early molecular mechanisms regulating tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer. Currently his research interests include precision radiation oncology using molecular markers that predict treatment response and toxicity, as well as development of novel radiotherapy delivery techniques.

Max grew up in Hickman, NE. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the spring of 2020. He is working as an assistant clinical research coordinator in the Department of Radiation Oncology, and he is currently applying to medical school.