Marlene is a PhD student in Cell and Molecular Biology at Penn in the Gene Therapy and Vaccines subprogram. Marlene received their B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Washington in 2022. As an undergraduate and post-baccalaureate researcher they worked in the lab of Dr. Thomas Reh where they researched AAV-mediated gene therapy approaches to reprogram Müller glia into retinal neurons. As a graduate student in the Cheng lab, Marlene will investigate genetic regulation after optic nerve injury using CRISPR screens and single-cell genomics. Additionally, they are collaborating on projects to design and screen LNPs for retinal gene therapy delivery. Outside of the lab Marlene enjoys biking around Philly, grave gardening, and crafting.
