people

members of the lab or group


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Gurkan Bebek, PhD, MS

BRB 921

2109 Adelbert Rd

Cleveland, OH 44106

Dr. Gurkan Bebek, an innovative computer scientist specializing in complex diseases such as Cancer and Alzheimer’s, holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Clinical Investigation from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Renowned for pioneering systems biology tools, he integrates diverse high-throughput -omics data seamlessly. Dr. Bebek’s impactful work, reflected in over 40 authored papers in bioinformatics, has garnered recognition and funding from NIH, Velasono, and CWRU CTSA. His research in systems biology, applied to diseases for classification and regulatory/signaling network discovery, has made significant contributions. Currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine, Dr. Bebek continues to lead innovative research at the intersection of computer science and biomedical sciences, advancing our understanding of complex diseases.


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Hyun Jo Kim

Wood Bldg WG-9

2109 Adelbert Rd

Cleveland, OH 44106

Hyun Jo Kim is a Research Assistant II in the Bebek Lab at Case Western Reserve University. After earning an M.S. in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, with a thesis focused on clinical informatics utilizing hospital and survey data on asthma, Hyun Jo continued his work with Dr. Gurkan Bebek. His research involves analyzing microarray, RNAseq, and proteomics data to uncover novel insights into neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Hyun Jo’s goal is to assist in developing innovative methods to systematically and statistically identify gene networks, with the potential to apply these approaches to other complex biological diseases. Outside of research, he enjoys playing guitar and has over a decade of experience as a sound engineer, combining his technical expertise with a passion for music.


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Spancer Zhou

Wood Bldg WG-9

2109 Adelbert Rd

Cleveland, OH 44106

Spancer Zhou is a graduate student in the lab. She is particularly interested in understanding the genetic diversity in humans and leveraging advanced tools like CRISPR-Cas9 for in vivo gene editing. This technology holds immense potential for modifying genetic pathways and developing therapeutic strategies for various diseases.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects millions of individuals worldwide and remains a significant public health challenge. My current interest focuses on exploring the critical role of microglia, the central nervous system’s resident immune cells, in mitigating AD pathology. Microglia exhibit a dual role in AD: while they are essential for clearing amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, their activation often triggers neuroinflammation, exacerbating neuronal damage. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that enable microglia to selectively clear Aβ plaques without inducing harmful activation could help for identifying new therapeutic targets and improving treatments for AD.


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Monica Gosh, PhD

Wood Bldg WG-9

2109 Adelbert Rd

Cleveland, OH 44106

Dr. Monica Gosh is an avid Cell and Molecular Biologist who marvels at how cells communicate with each other. In her pursuit of finding novel mechanisms to unravel their pathways, she was the first to report the functional presence and beneficial activity of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels in the heart and different kinds of ganglia during her doctoral research at Kent State University, Ohio.

At the same time, Monica’s passion lies in spreading this vast sphere of biosciences. Teaching gives her an incredible amount of joy and keeps her driven toward her goal of forming a scientifically sound society.


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Matthew Bradley

Wood Bldg WG-9

2109 Adelbert Rd

Cleveland, OH 44106

I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (class of 2025). I am interested in pushing methodological boundaries in bioinformatics. I am chiefly interested in finding more meaningful ways to extract information from multi-Omic experiments. I am also a large proponent of finding new ways to be reproducible and collaborative within the burgeoning community of bioinformaticians. Beyond the school I work as a bioinformatics programmer for The Emmes Company, LLC where I am responsible for supporting a variety of projects including exploratory clinical trial research. My hobbies include snowboarding, hiking, guitar, and cooking to name a few. I also am learning to enjoy many of the fabulous restaurants in the greater Cleveland area!