Bobby Habig, PhD, Research Associate
Bobby is an Assistant Professor at Mercy College and a research collaborator at the American Museum of Natural History and the Research Foundation of the City University of New York (Hunter College). His integrative research program encompasses evolutionary biology, urban ecology, biological anthropology, and science education. As a research associate at Hunter College, Dr. Habig is collaborating with Mandë Holford on an Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) grant from the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Shaadi Mehr, Creative Technologist
Dr. Shaadi Mehr is a seasoned professional with a rich background in academia and industry, offering a unique blend of expertise in project management, bioinformatics, and cancer genomics. With a PhD in Genomics from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and the City University of New York, she has successfully navigated the worlds of research, teaching, and large-scale scientific initiatives. Her academic experience includes her role as an Assistant Professor at SUNY, complemented by notable industry positions at Genentech, Velsera, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
During her tenure at SUNY, Dr. Mehr spearheaded the development of computational biology research pipelines and established global collaborations to train students in advanced statistical methods. At AMNH, she implemented innovative computational techniques that reduced research time by 50%, significantly advancing genomic data analysis.
In the industry, Dr. Mehr has applied her technical expertise to lead high-impact projects that integrate healthcare, clinical trial data, and bioinformatics. At Genentech, she managed multiple projects, driving measurable productivity improvements and fostering critical strategic partnerships. At the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, she was pivotal in scaling data management processes for clinical trials, expanding the program from a single member to a 20-person team, and generating over $500K in revenue.
With a comprehensive skill set spanning data analytics, risk mitigation, and stakeholder management, Dr. Mehr is dedicated to advancing scientific discovery while ensuring operational excellence. She excels in building and leading cross-functional teams, driving collaborations to deliver on critical research needs in oncology, drug design, and biomarker discovery. Her leadership extends to pioneering pilot studies that explore operational efficiencies and data quality control, making her an asset in any scientific and research-oriented endeavor.
Kim Kirchhoff, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Kim studied Marine Sciences for three years at the University of Vigo (Spain) before earning her B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Kiel and her Master's in animal physiology and zoology from Justus Liebig University of Giessen (JLU, Germany). She completed her Ph.D. in 2020 through a collaborative project between JLU and Fraunhofer IME, focusing on stingray venom from evolutionary, biochemical, and pharmacological perspectives. She then gained experience at a mariculture company and a chemistry research consulting start-up center at Ruhr University Bochum (Germany). Kim joined the Holford Lab in the
summer of 2024 to study the histological architecture of the posterior salivary gland in cephalopods, which produces venom. This research will be integrated with biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic data to
develop a model venom system for cephalopods and enable comparisons to other marine venom systems, such as the vertebrate counterpart found in fishes.
Saurabh Attarde, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Saurabh is a dedicated Postdoctoral Researcher who earned his doctoral degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University, India (2014-2019). His research journey began with a focus on assessing the anticancer potential of toxins derived from Indian spectacled cobra venom. Driven by a fascination for venomics, he continued to pursue his passion at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where he served as a Postdoctoral fellow (2019-2022). During this tenure, his efforts were dedicated to mitigating snakebite-induced morbidity and mortality in both India and Sub-Saharan Africa. His pioneering work involved the development of advanced snakebite therapies that were not only effective and safe but also accessible and affordable. Dr. Attarde's research interests seamlessly merge with his broader curiosity in venom therapeutics, signifying his relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation in the realms of toxinology and medical science.