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

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

Rowan Matney, BA, Proteomics Life Sciences Research Professional 

Rowan Matney joined Stanford University Mass Spectrometry (SUMS) in 2018 as a LSRP. She is a recent graduate of Carleton College (Northfield, MN) with a degree in Chemistry. Her senior thesis project focused on ion channels and transporters in proteins. Before joining SUMS, Rowan worked in several research and administrative roles, including at the University of Geneva, University of Akron, and Allegheny College. At SUMS, Rowan works with the proteomics team performing sample preparation and data generation. She can often be found in the company of a good book, a craft project, or her dogs.

Email: rmatney@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

Kratika Singhal, MS, Proteomics

Kratika joined SUMS in 2017 as a LSRP. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, India and her Masters in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Illinois Chicago. Before joining SUMS, she worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Proteomics Research Scientist in their Mass spectrometry R&D group. At SUMS, she is responsible for consultation, sample preparation, data generation and data analysis. When not at work, she can be seen with a book in her hand and she loves to watch movies.

Email: ksingh29@stanford.edu  Phone: 650.725.9769

Zijie (Beryl) Xia, PhD, Quantitative MS

Zijie Xia, who goes by Beryl, joined SUMS in Fall 2019. Beryl received her B.A. in chemistry and mathematics from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) in 2014. She continued her study at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2019. Her Ph.D. work focused on method development and fundamental studies of native mass spectrometry. At SUMS, she works with the small molecule team to provide quantitative analysis of metabolites, peptides, and other analytes of interest. When not at work, Beryl enjoys playing with her dog, reading, and solving puzzles.

Email: xiaz@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.