Mariana Acuna Aravena, PhD - Instructor in Medicine

Mariana is from Chile. She studied Biochemistry and completed her PhD in Medical Science at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago in 2015. She has been involved in various research areas in Gastroenterology including genetic mutations that cause hereditary colorectal cancer, hepatic cholesterol metabolism, lithiasis and liver damage. She joined the Cohen lab in September of 2016 where she will be studying the role of Acot12 in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. 

Logan Carr - Research Assistant

Sepideh Mikaeeli, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow

Sepideh joined the Cohen Lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2024. Her research focuses on understanding the interaction between acyl-CoA thioesterase 11 (ACOT11) and lipid droplets, as well as exploring the role of acyl-CoA thioesterase 13 (ACOT13) in muscle and its function in lipid metabolism. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Experimental Medicine from McGill University in 2024 and 2018, respectively, where she studied metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, with a particular focus on the regulation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Sepideh is a cat lover and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, especially in autumn.

Michele Niepel, PhD - Laboratory Manager

Michele received her PhD in Biochemistry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2004.
She has worked with Dr. Cohen since 1996 as a research assistant (1996-1999) and graduate student (1999-2004).
Since 2004, Michele has served as the Cohen Lab Manager. Michele enjoys spending her weekends relaxing with her husband, Mario and children, Max and Emma.

Huilian Shi, MD, PhD - Visiting Scientist

Huilian Shi is an accomplished hepatologist from China specializing in the pathogenesis and therapeutic innovation of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). With a career dedicated to bridging traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern hepatology, her research systematically investigates MAFLD mechanisms while pioneering TCM-derived prevention protocols and treatment modalities. Currently, Dr. Shi is a visiting scholar in the Cohen Laboratory.

Shi Su, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow

akiko sugiyama, phd - postdoctoral FELLOW

Akiko is from Japan. She majored in Pharmaceutical Sciences and obtained her pharmacist license in 2012. She completed her doctorate in Medical Science at Hiroshima University in 2016. After completing her PhD in Medical Science from Hiroshima University in May 2016 she continued research in gastroenterology including cholangiocarcinoma and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease at Hiroshima University Hospital, while also working as a pharmacist. Having joined the Cohen Laboratory in July of 2018, she is investigating the biological functions of Acyl-CoA Thioesterase 12 in intestine to reveal a part of the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in states of over-nutrition.