Our Team
Assistant Professor
My lab focuses on developing next-generation engineered T cell therapies for solid tumors. We adopt a function-first approach that combines receptor-first TCR discovery with CAR T and modular engineering strategies to enhance persistence and performance in suppressive tumor microenvironments, aiming to enable more precise and long-lasting cellular immunotherapies.
My training began in mechanistic cancer biology during my PhD at UNC–Chapel Hill, where I focused on oncogenic signaling in colorectal cancer. I then transitioned to translational immune engineering as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School/BIDMC. There, I developed engineered T cell therapies for solid tumors and gained expertise in genome-wide in vivo screens.
To deepen my expertise in scalable discovery and translation, I moved into biotechnology and led high-throughput engineering and screening efforts in primary human T cells (Intellia Therapeutics) and developed platforms for functional validation of large TCR libraries (RootPath).
Outside of work, I recharge with my husband and our dog, Calvin. We enjoy outdoor activities, including 'Calvin-sized” walks, and love sitting outside listening to music. We also cherish traveling to new places and seeking new adventures whenever possible.
Ryan Sangston, MS
I’m a biologist working in immunology and genomics, with a focus on single-cell data analysis, custom reference building, and reproducible workflows. I develop computational approaches that help connect high-dimensional datasets to testable biological hypotheses. Outside the lab, I like experimenting with new recipes, watching favorite shows, and reading.
Research Specialist
Graduate Students
Kilyna Nguyen
Graduate Student
BIMS Experimental Pathology
I am originally from Chesterfield, Virginia, and received my B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021. After graduation, I pursued a three-year intramural post-bac program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland, studying adoptive T-cell therapies against leukemia. During my time at the NCI, I discovered, engineered, and validated T-cell receptors (TCRs) against tumor-specific antigens under the mentorship of Dr. Kazusa Ishii. Currently, I continue to engage in translational research in the Loughran and Cook lab, mentored by Dr. Danielle Cook, with the mission to exploit therapeutic targets in solid and liquid cancers to improve the quality of life for patients. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends/family, cooking, fishing, kayaking, and archery.
Kobra Foroughi
I am originally from Iran and received my B.S. in Biology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. After graduation, I pursued a Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, where I investigated the epigenetic roles of methylation and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in stomach cancer. Following my degree, I gained practical experience working in medical diagnostic and molecular laboratories. I later joined the Tissue Engineering Research Group at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences' School of Medicine, where I contributed to projects involving scaffold fabrication and other tissue engineering approaches for regenerative applications. I am currently a graduate student in the Loughran and Cook lab at the University of Virginia, mentored by Dr. Danielle Cook. I am also supported by UVA through the Cancer Center Outstanding International Student Fellowships. I work on translational cancer immunotherapy, developing a unique platform to identify peptides targeted by tumor-specific TCRs, enabling safer and more effective TCR-T cell therapies. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, reading, and cooking.
Graduate Student
BIMS Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology
Undergraduate Students
Zach Smith
Zach is a 4th-year UVA student and science enthusiast. A former member of the university’s iGEM team, he has experience designing engineered solutions for international competition in Paris. In his spare time, he enjoys strategic games of chess and club dogeball.
Biology Major- 4th year
Huu Van Tu
Biology Major- 4th year
Sarah Kang
Sarah is a third-year undergraduate student from Virginia studying biomedical engineering. Her interests include research in oncology and CAR T-cell therapy, and she hopes to pursue a healthcare career, aiming to bridge healthcare equity in underprivileged communities. Outside of school, Sarah enjoys running with friends and being on the hunt for new bakeries.
Biomedical Enigeering Major- 3rd year
Ananya Balachander
Ananya is a second-year undergraduate student from Virginia studying Biology and Data Science. Interested in immunology and genetics, she hopes to continue a career in molecular biology research. In her free time, Ananya enjoys reading, hosting dinners with her friends, and advocating for human rights and sustainable practices.