Ovaun Joins the Reilly Lab

After an amazing first rotation, and then never straying *too* far from the lab, Ovaun has officially joined the Reilly & Brennand Labs!

We can’t wait for to see all the amazing science this all-star is bound to accomplish. From his extensive experience to coaxing all sorts of glial, neuronal and astrocyte cells to grow in the lab, to a burgeoning love of technology development, we’re excited to have him join the team!

Read more about Ovaun, check out his bio and some photos around the lab below, and check out the teams page.

Ovaun is a Ph.D. student in the Genetics Department who joined the lab in March 2023. He is co-mentored with Kristen Brennand. He is interested in understanding the genetic architecture of neurodegenerative diseases.

Ovaun completed a bachelor's in sociology from Stony Brook University, and then a master’s in biology from NYU in 2020. At NYU, he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Hernando-Monge, where he developed a novel piggyBac genome editing system to introduce point mutations in melanoma in vitro models. He then worked as a Research Associate in the laboratories of Panos Roussos and Kristen Brennand at Mount Sinai, where he utilized pooled CRISPR screens and hiPSC-derived stem cells to study gene regulation in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Outside of the lab, he enjoys board games and prides himself on being able to play any sport that has a ball.