Raines Group
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Our laboratory is enriched by diversity. We foster an inclusive culture that values everyone. We believe that varied perspectives and shared commitment lead to creativity, innovation, and excellence.
Graduate Students

Forrest FitzGerald
B.A., Chemistry
Florida Atlantic University
Interests & Activities

ALLISON GLYNN
B.S., Biological Engineering
Caltech
Interests & Activities

NICOLA KNOWLES
B.S., Chemistry
Rice University
Interests & Activities
Nicola is a Ph.D. candidate in the Harvard–MIT Department of Health Sciences and Technology. As an undergraduate, she worked in the lab of Dr. Naomi Halas on the synthesis and application of plasmonic nanoparticles. Nicola is working on developing collagen-mimetic peptides to help facilitate collagen remodeling in skin, and she is particularly interested in problems of aging. Outside of lab, she loves dancing, rhythmic gymnastics, and discovering new places in Boston.

HARRISON MCCANN
M.S., Chemical Biology
McMaster University
Interests & Activities

OSCAR MOLINA
B.S., Biochemistry
University of California, Los Angeles
Interests & Activities
As a San Diego native, Oscar enjoys being active and enjoys good food and craft beer. An avid long-distance runner, Oscar is always excited to race in half and full marathons. While not training for a race, he loves playing soccer, surfing, hiking, and finding the best tacos in Boston. When not in lab, he likes to cook, root for all UCLA sports teams, and solve the New York Times daily mini crossword puzzle.

GABE SAENZ
B.S., Chemistry
Rice University
Interests & Activities

DILYARA SHARIPOVA
B.S., Chemistry
Tufts University
Interests & Activities
Born in Uzbekistan, Dilyara spent the second decade of her life growing up in NYC. There, she developed her passion for chemical biology research and nonprofit education work. Outside of the lab, Dilyara drives initiatives at the MIT Biotechnology Group and is an avid puzzler.

AXEL VERA
B.S., Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico,
Río Piedras
Interests & Activities

ERIKA Zhang
B.S., Chemistry
University of California, Berkeley
Interests & Activities
Postdoctorates

DR. VOLGA KOJASOY
Ph.D., Chemistry
University of California, Davis
Interests & Activities

DR. KEITA MORI
Ph.D., Chemistry
University of Tokyo
Interests & Activities

DR. KIRA PODOLSKY
Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences
University of California, San Diego
Interests & Activities

DR. BJARNE SILKENATH
Ph.D., Chemistry
University of Konstanz
Interests & Activities
Undergraduate Students

ALIA KASSIM
Chemistry Major
MIT (’25)

VIVIAN LONG
Biochemistry Major
Wellesley College (’27)

TYLER MATSUZAKI
Biological Engineering Major
MIT (’26)

WASIN (MAC) TIARAWUT
Chemistry–Biology Major
MIT (’26)