Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology

Dr. Liu was a trained Ophthalmologist and received her PhD on Molecular Ophthalmology from Peking Union Medical College in Beijing, China. Dr. Liu did her postdoctoral training at the F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Liu’s previous research was focused on improving the understanding of the genetic causes and the molecular bases of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) using a combination of genetically modified animal models and molecular biologic approaches. Her work on photoreceptor sensory cilium and retinitis pigmentosa 1 laid the groundwork for many studies to follow. Her research program is dedicated to gain a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying IRDs and related ciliopathies, and to overcome hurdles of conventional AAV-mediated gene augmentation therapy for treating dominant IRDs and recessive IRDs that are caused by mutations in large genes. Her recent studies on the development of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing strategies provide a start point for facilitating translation of therapeutic gene editing programs into IRD therapies in human.

Research Technologist

Rossano Butcher graduated from the CAS Honors Program at Suffolk University in 2015, with a Bachelors degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He worked alongside Dr. Lauren Nolf-Clemets, providing evidence of the Island Rule and microevolution in white-footed mice (Peromyscusleucopus) in the harbor islands off of Boston; and was also involved in Dr. Melanie Berkmen’s novel research on fumarase deficiency, utilizing site-directed mutagenesis to make gene mutations. Most recently, Rossano has been involved in abroad volunteer programs as a medical and laboratory assistant, in places such as Vietnam and Peru.
Rossano joined the Ocular Genomics Institute in April of 2017 as research technologist for Dr. Qin Liu.

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Postdoctoral Fellow

Raulas joined Gene Editing team in 2022. Raulas obtained his bachelor in genetics in University of Aberdeen, 2015. In 2016 Raulas obtained master’s degree in biomedical sciences: molecular genetics from University of Glasgow. Raulas completed PhD in biology in 2021 – Lithuanian Sports University and Tartu University. Prior to joining Gene editing team, for 2 years Raulas worked as a researcher in RNA Epigenetics lab in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Neuroscience Institute.

Research Technologist

Nicolle Alvarez graduated from Boston University in 2023 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology and a minor in Marine Science. She also was a student athlete for the D1 Women’s Lightweight Rowing team throughout college. She had a research opportunity with Dr. John Finnerty in the field at Turneffe Atoll, Belize and in his lab in Boston and contributed to an ongoing research project that focused on the importance of sponges as host of animal symbionts in mangrove habitats of Turneffe Atoll by analyzing the species biodiversity and confirming via DNA barcoding. In addition, she contributed in the research lab of Dr. Sarah Davies, where she investigated the heat and light tolerance of Astrangia poculata.
Nicolle joined the Liu Lab after graduation as a Research Lab Technician.