Who We Are

Chenshu Liu, PhD, Principal Investigator

chenshu.liu [at] lehigh.edu

Chenshu received his Bachelor’s at the University of Science and Technology of China and his PhD from Columbia University. He fell in love with cell biology since he was an undergrad and learned everything C. elegans during his postdoctoral fellowship with Abby Dernburg at UC Berkeley. Chenshu opened the lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University in 2024, focusing on the mechanisms and roles of nuclear envelope dynamics in meiotic quality control. Outside of the lab, Chenshu can be found collecting butterflies, listening to audiobooks, or spending time exploring the beautiful nature at Lehigh Valley with his family and friends.

Rachel Nenstiel, PhD Candidate

ran222 [at] lehigh.edu

Rachel is a Cell and Molecular Biology PhD student interested in studying how nuclei maintain their integrity in developing oocytes. She is originally from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and earned both her BS and MS in Biology from Commonwealth University–Bloomsburg. Rachel hopes to become a professor, combining her love for research with mentoring the next generation of scientists. Outside of the lab, she enjoys painting, cooking new recipes, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Makiah Brewer, Rotation Student

mkb325 [at] lehigh.edu

Makiah is a first-year Ph.D. student in Cell and Molecular Biology, currently rotating in the Liu Lab. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College, where she conducted research on tight junctions in colon cancer. Makiah aspires to pursue a career as a professor or to work as an educational scientist with the National Park Service. Outside of the lab, she enjoys coaching field hockey, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Madison McCartney, Undergraduate Researcher

mrm226 [at] lehigh.edu

Madison is currently in her fourth year of undergraduate studies at Lehigh University. She is working to get a dual degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and Spanish while competing as a member of the varsity volleyball team. Madison has aspirations to attend medical school and study to be an OB/GYN, so she is ecstatic to be working in a lab with the goal of improving the success of meiosis and gametes. Outside of her undergraduate studies and volleyball, Madison is most likely found enjoying the outdoors and hanging out with her friends, family, and dog.

Penny Yang, Undergraduate Researcher

pey228 [at] lehigh.edu

Penny is currently a second-year undergraduate student at Lehigh University studying molecular biology and political science. She is also involved in a number of campus organizations, such as Impact Fellowship and Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. Penny aspires to pursue higher education and work in biological research and development. In her own time, Penny enjoys dance, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Brian Ducceschi, Undergraduate Researcher

brd628 [at] lehigh.edu

Brian is a fourth-year undergraduate student and Pennsylvania native majoring in Biochemistry at Lehigh University. Before coming to Lehigh, he studied nursing at Delaware County Community College and developed a deep fascination with the molecular mechanisms of life while learning about human anatomy and physiology. He currently works as an RN at a suburban Philadelphia hospital on the weekends and attends classes full-time at Lehigh during the week. He loves computers, technology, fluorescence microscopes, learning about the inner lives of cells, playing Romantic-era classical piano, and looks forward to continued exploration of the life, health, and medical sciences.

Naomi Adelola, Predoctoral Research Associate

ola324 [at] lehigh.edu

Naomi received her M.S. in Chemistry from Lehigh University and her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Medical Sciences Ondo (Nigeria). She is interested in applying chemical tools to solve cell biology problems, particularly in the area of nuclear envelop remodeling and meiotic quality control. Outside lab, she enjoys nature walks, puzzles and spending time with family and friends.

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