People

Allis Chien, PhD, SUMS Director 

Allis Chien graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry.  She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University in 2000, then stayed on to establish and grow the mass spectrometry core.  Along with the professional mass spectrometrists who staff the laboratory, Dr. Chien is knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced in the practical application of modern mass spectrometric techniques to answering key research questions.  This expertise is instrumental in harnessing the power of mass spectrometry to make significant contributions to the cutting edge research progress of Stanford investigators.  Allis is a member of ASMS and ACS, and an active volunteer in the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF).  Outside work, she spends time with her boys (husband, son, dog), and occasionally makes time for reading, knitting, martial arts, piano, and singing.

Email: allis@stanford.edu     Phone: 650-723-0710

Ryan Leib, PhD, Director of Proteomics

Ryan Leib is Director of Proteomics for the Stanford University Mass Spectrometry Laboratory. Ryan received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Tulsa (Tulsa, OK), with a focus on LC/MS methods development for natural products discovery. In 2010, he received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley investigating ionic cluster formation and energetics in Professor Evan Williams’ mass spectrometry laboratory. Prior to joining SUMS in 2014, Ryan developed mass spectrometric analyses for complex mixtures as a Project Leader at SRI International, a non-profit contract R&D firm based in Silicon Valley. Ryan and his wife reside in Burlingame, CA, where they enjoy eclectic activities like glass blowing, hosting weekly boardgame gatherings, photography field trips, and making prize-winning chilis.

Email: rdleib@stanford.edu     Phone: 650.725.9769

Ludmila Alexandrova, PhD, Qualitative & Quantitative MS, PK, Metabolite ID, Metabolomics

Ludmila Alexandrova started her scientific career in the United States with Syntex which later became Roche. During her career with Roche, Ludmila became proficient in bioanalysis, metabolism and pharmacokinetics (PK) of small molecules. She developed and validated numerous LC/MS methods for quantification of small molecules as well as metabolites to support PK, toxicology and clinical studies. She became proficient in metabolite identification (ID). In addition, Ludmila became a core member of several inter-disciplinary project teams leading product development. In recent years at Stanford, Ludmila focus has been on providing expertise and top-quality mass spectrometry support for scientific research by educating and collaborating with researchers, carrying out data analysis, and developing new mass spectrometry based analytical methodology. 

Email: ludmilaa@stanford.edu     Phone: 650.725.9769

Norah Brown, MS, Proteomics Life Sciences Research Professional

Norah Brown joined SUMS in 2021 as a LSRP. She received her MS in Chemistry from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Her graduate research focused on chromophore characterization and organic synthesis of light-responsive peptide conjugates for use as molecular probes and switches. Before joining SUMS, she worked as a Proteomics Research Associate with the Mass Spectrometry Core Facility group at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. At SUMS, Norah is a member of the proteomics team and is responsible for consultation, sample preparation, data generation, and data analysis. When not at work she enjoys gardening, crafting projects, and being outdoors.

Email: norahbr@stanford.edu     Phone: 650-725-9769

Karolina Krasinska, MS, Quantitative MS 

Karolina Krasinska has been a Staff Scientist at SUMS since 2004. She is responsible for custom projects related to quantitative analysis of small molecules and peptides in various biological matrixes. She received her Master of Science degree in analytical and inorganic chemistry from Warsaw University, Poland. After graduating she worked at Mass Spectrometry Lab at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, Poland where her work focused on mass spectrometric analysis of small molecules. After moving to US in 2002 she joined Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and was responsible for isolation, purification and analysis of vascular endothelial membrane proteins from rat tissues as well as 1D gel and HPLC‑tandem mass spectrometry analysis. In her time away from the lab she is a busy mom of two boys and shares her passion for cooking with her husband, Antoni.

Email: krasin@stanford.edu     Phone: 650.725.9769

William Lee, BS, Accounting Associate 

William Lee is the Accounting Associate for SUMS.  William received his Bachelors in Business Administration from the California State University at Chico.  He started his finance career at Stanford in the School of Engineering, followed by postings in the Math Department and the School of Medicine - Department of Pathology as a Research Administrator.  Prior to Stanford, William worked at various technology companies as a business analyst and project manager integrating Oracle Financial Systems.  When not at work, William is busy helping with his two children's activities.

Email: wlee2@stanford.edu     Phone: 650-725-9769

Fang Liu, PhD, Proteomics Staff Scientist 

Fang Liu joined SUMS in 2018 as a staff scientist.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, China) in 2013.  Later, she earned her Master of Science degree in Computer Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Analytical Chemistry from Duke University (Durham, NC) in 2018.  Her Ph.D. research was focused on the large-scale analysis of protein folding and stability changes associated with breast cancer.  At SUMS, Fang works with the proteomics team and is mainly responsible for consultation and data analysis.  When not at work, she enjoys hiking, reading and cooking.

Email: fliu7@stanford.edu     Phone: 650-725-9769

Garvey McKenzie, PhD, Proteomics Staff Scientist

Garvey joined SUMS as a proteomics staff scientist in October 2021. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from UMass Boston in 2012, and his PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from Tufts University in 2018, focusing on the development of artificial metalloenzymes for potential environmental and energy applications. Prior to joining SUMS, he worked as an applications scientist and government consultant. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, exploring the Bay Area, and playing the piano.

Email: gmcken1@stanford.edu     Phone: 650-725-9769

Theresa McLaughlin, MS, Lab Manager, HRMS, Custom Projects, Open Access Lab

Theresa McLaughlin is Lab Manager at SUMS. She is responsible for open access LC-MS analysis (equipment maintenance and troubleshooting), HRAM analysis, and custom projects. Theresa received her MS in Chemistry from Seton Hall University in East Orange, NJ.  She has worked at FMC Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Merck & Co. Inc.  Her experience includes metabolite identification using LC/MS and GC/MS, process impurity characterization, quantitative analysis of peptides and small molecules, and software validation for data analysis.  Theresa has lived most of her life in New Jersey, and believes the most true to life of all the New Jersey based reality television shows is “Kitchen Cousins” on HGTV.

Email: tmcl@stanford.edu     Phone: 650.725.9769

Odin, SUMS Mascot 

Odin is a native of Northern California and avid outdoor adventurer.  He may look like a white German Shepherd, but his personality is the best combination of Great Pyrenees and Husky.  He enjoys long walks (on the beach and elsewhere), playing, sniffing, chewing, eating, and sleeping.  Odin works hard at SUMS -- greeting guests, offering toys and demonstrating tricks, in addition to providing therapy dog services and doing his best imitation of a fur rug.