Our Team
Margarete Diaz Cuadros
Group Leader
Margarete is a Junior Fellow in the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Columbia University (2014) and was named class valedictorian. As an undergraduate, she worked in Dr. Martin Chalfie's laboratory investigating neuronal subtype differentiation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. She later completed her PhD under the supervision of Dr. Olivier Pourquie at Harvard Medical School (2022). Her graduate research focused on the development of in vitro systems for the recapitulation of the mammalian segmentation clock based on pluripotent stem cells. Through a special fellow’s program, Margarete launched her independent research group directly after completion of her PhD. The Diaz Cuadros laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular and genetic basis of species-specific developmental rates by combining in vitro stem cell work with in vivo studies in C. elegans. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Margarete enjoys cooking, baking, and looking after her vegetable garden. She was co-director of the Research Experience for Peruvian Undergraduates program for four years and currently serves on the Committee for the Advancement of Women in Science in Peru.
Jack Madden
Postbac Research Technician
Jack is a Research Technician who graduated from UMass Amherst (2022) with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Sciences and a minor in Biology. As an undergraduate, he worked in the Oxygen and Muscle Metabolism Lab of Dr. Gwenael Layec investigating the mechanisms of age, weight, and inactivity-related mitochondrial deficiencies and their effects on respiratory capacity in human and mouse muscle tissue. His research interest involves applying his background knowledge in cellular metabolism to molecular genetics and stem cell research. Born and raised in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Jack loves hiking, alpine skiing, water skiing, reading, playing chess, taking care of his bonsai, and perfecting his macarons. His goal is to one day attend medical school and also to hike all 48 of the 4,000-ft mountains in New Hampshire.
Katie Introcaso
Postbac Research Technician
Katie is a Research Technician who graduated from Northwestern University’s Class of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Global Health Studies. During that time, she participated in genetics research at the Erik C. Andersen Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics of Complex Traits using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. There she performed genetic crosses towards isolating a quantitative trait locus to evaluate resistance to drugs such as abamectin, mianserin, fluoxetine, zinc, and emodepside. Additionally, she worked on synthesizing a landing pad strain using FLP recombinase-mediated cassette exchange and CRISPR-Cas9 to insert GFP at the HSP-16.2 site. From both Neenah, WI and Northfield, IL, Katie enjoys reading YA novels, crafting, and playing with her holland lop rabbit, Corn.
Gabriel Valdebenito
Postdoctoral Fellow
Gabriel is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Molecular Biology. Gabe earned his bachelor's degree from UCSC, Chile, in 2015. He moved noth to Santiago to pursue a master’s degree in Human Physiology at the University of Chile (2017) and worked as part of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Laboratory, where he investigated the role of fatty acids in fetal muscle physiology. His academic journey took him to the United Kingdom, where he embarked on a Cell and Developmental Ph.D. program at Duchen Lab at University College London (2019-2024). Here, he became interested in the intricacies of mitochondrial primary diseases, focusing on nutrient sensing signaling, mitochondrial quality control pathways, and calcium signaling. As part of this program, Gabriel implemented a myogenic model derived from hiPSCs to gain a deeper understanding of the consequences of the m.3243A>G mutation in muscle physiology. Outside of the lab, he enjoys following tennis matches, exploring new places in Boston, and rewatching The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and Downton Abbey.
Moniya Kidd
Administrative Coordinator
Born in Boston, MA, Moniya transitioned from the clinical side of MGH, where she gained valuable insights into the healthcare industry while working in the Department of Cardiology. This experience has equipped her to explore the research side of the organization in her current role as an Administrative Coordinator in the Department of Molecular Biology. In her role, Moniya works alongside leadership on important projects and is responsible for a wide range of tasks, including overseeing department finances, planning events, managing communications, maintaining the department website, and assisting with office upkeep. She played a key role in creating the department’s newsletter and supports the onboarding of new staff. Additionally, Moniya assists Principal Investigators (PIs) with various projects, such as arranging travel, coordinating meetings, and ordering supplies. Notably, she collaborates closely with PIs involved in the Post-Baccalaureate Association at MGH and projects focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Moniya's strengths lie in creativity and community engagement. Outside of work, Moniya enjoys expressing her creativity through artistic outlets, shopping, and traveling.
Diana Atlas
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Diana is an undergraduate research assistant who is currently a sophomore at Brandeis University (2025) where she is double majoring in Biochemistry and Biology. In the Diaz Cuadros Lab, she will be applying her research interest in cell biology to molecular genetics and stem cell research. At Brandeis, Diana is currently the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Brandeis Pilates Club, and she is also the Vice President of the Brandeis Biochemistry Club. From Hollis, New Hampshire, Diana enjoys watching movies, baking cookies, and going to the theater.
Sissi Chen
Undergraduate Student
Sissi is an undergraduate research assistant who is currently a student at Wellesley College (2026), where she is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology. In the Diaz Cuadros Lab, she will be working with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In Wellesley College, she currently serves as an Unistellar astrophotographer for the Astrophysics department and is on the E-Board for Wellesley College’s Hip-Hop team Freestyle. From Beijing, China, Sissi enjoys dancing, jogging, drawing, photography/videography, reading, visiting museums, etc.
Leslie Azurdia
Undergraduate Student
Leslie is an undergraduate research assistant who is currently a student at Emmanuel College (2025), where she is majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience. In the Diaz Cuadros Lab, she works with human stem cells. At Emmanuel College, Leslie contributes as a STEM peer mentor, supporting incoming freshmen in their academic journeys, and serves as a Teaching Assistant for the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology course. From Lynn, Massachusetts, Leslie enjoys practicing yoga, exploring new cuisines, and dancing salsa and ballet.
Moshi
Fetch Specialist
Sir Cornelius Stewart Introcaso I
Chief of Hoperations
Alumni
Sandra Le (2022-2024) - Sandra was the first undergraduate student to join the lab! A double major in biochemistry and biotechnology from Tufts University, she is now a postbacc researcher at the Joslin Diabetes Center.
Sofia Uribe (2023) - As a student at Clermont Auvergne University in France, Sofia came to Boston to complete her master’s internship with us. She was supported by the prestigious Eiffel Scholarship Program. She is now a PhD student at Boston College.
Hadjar Sebaa (2024) - Hadjar joined us from the International Master’s Program in Life Sciences in Lyon, France to pursue her master’s thesis in our laboratory. She is now a PhD student at University College London.