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

Ryan Leib, PhD, Director of Research

Ryan Leib is Director of Research 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

Ludmila Alexandrova, PhD, Qualitative & Quantitative MS, PK

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's 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

Xiaowei Vivian Lu, PhD, Staff Scientist, Chemical Imaging

Vivian joined SUMS as an Imaging Staff Scientist in 2023. She is responsible for projects related to mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Vivian received her B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Peking University in 2004, and her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Michigan State University in 2012, focusing on carbohydrate synthesis in Professor Xuefei Huang's laboratory. She then worked for Dr. Paul Kovac on carbohydrate vaccines in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for five years. In 2017, Vivian joined Dr. Richard Drake's group as a staff scientist at the Medical University of South Carolina, investigating chemical derivatization of sialic acid for MALDI imaging, IHC, and proteomic sample enrichments. Prior to joining SUMS, she spent two years with Professor Mike Angelo's group at Stanford, building up and maintaining MALDI imaging platforms. Outside of the lab, Vivian is busy with her family (a son and husband) and always trying to make time for dancing, socializing, and reading.

Email: xlu50020@stanford.edu 

Megan Danielewicz, Ph. D., Small Molecule and Metabolomics LCMS Scientist

Megan Danielewicz is a small molecule scientist with a focus on metabolomic and lipidomic workflows in the life sciences.  She got her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from UC Davis and then worked for several pharma companies and as an Applications Scientist before coming to SUMS. She enjoys camping in the desert and traveling to different places in her off time.

Email: m3g4n@stanford.edu 

 Karolina Krasinska, MS, Quantitative MS 

Karolina Krasinska has been a Staff Scientist at SUMS since 2004. She received her Master of Science degree in analytical and inorganic chemistry from Warsaw University, Poland. She developed passion for mass spectrometric analysis of small molecules while working at Mass Spectrometry Lab at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, Poland. After moving to the U.S. in 2002 she joined Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and engaged in a two-year-long affair with proteomics, specifically characterization of vascular endothelial membrane proteins from rat tissues as well as 1D gel and HPLC‑tandem mass spectrometry analysis. At SUMS, she is responsible for custom projects related to quantitative analysis of small molecules and peptides in various biological matrices. In her time away from the lab you can find her skiing in Central Oregon, agility training with her Border Collie named Secret or in the kitchen with her foodie family - two teenage sons and husband - mastering together yet another recipe for pizza, bread, or Philly steak sliders.  

Email: krasin@stanford.edu

 William Lee, BS, Finance

William Lee is the Finance contact for SUMS.  William received his Bachelors of Science degree 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.  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

Fang Liu, PhD, Director of Proteomics 

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 leads 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

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

Juan Pablo Galindo Lazo, MS, Proteomics Staff Specialist

Juan Pablo, also known as JP, joined SUMS in April 2024 as a Staff Scientist for the Proteomics team, focusing on sample preparation. Juan Pablo graduated with his B.S. in Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering from Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico in 2021. He received his Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario in Canada in 2023, where he focused on optimizing Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a MALDI matrix for detecting and imaging small molecules and neurotransmitters on rat brain tissue. Juan Pablo enjoys watching soccer, playing video games, and exercising in his off time. 

Email: jpgalind@stanford.edu 

Casey Powers, PhD, Staff Scientist for Education & Proteomics 

Casey Powers joined SUMS as a Staff Scientist for Education and Proteomics in 2023. In her capacity she works with the proteomics team processing and analyzing samples as well as leads the education initiatives that SUMS supports for courses at Stanford. Casey graduated with her B.S in Marine Sciences with minors in Pre-Med and Chemistry from the University of Maine in 2017. She Received her PhD in Medical and Molecular Sciences from James Cook University in Australia in 2022. Her PhD focused on the discovery and characterization of peptides from corals on the Great Barrier Reef. Prior to joining SUMS, she worked as a Proteomics Scientist at Denali Therapeutics in South San Francisco where she supported the ongoing research in the development of neurodegenerative disease therapeutics by working on both untargeted and targeted proteomic analysis platforms.  When not at work, Casey enjoys hiking, gaming, all things movies/TV and spending time with her family, husband, and kitty. 

Email: capowers@stanford.edu 

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, Intact Protein Molecular Weight analysis, and custom projects. Theresa received her MS in Chemistry from Seton Hall University in East Orange, NJ.  Before joining SUMS Theresa 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.

Email: tmcl@stanford.edu

Elisa Caffrey, BS, Metabolomics Research Associate

Elisa Caffrey is a PhD student in the Sonnenburg Lab, working with Megan Danielewicz. She received her B.A. in Biology and Film & Electronic Arts from Bard College in 2015 and her M.A. in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University in 2020. Her graduate work focuses on identifying microbial-derived metabolites in fermented foods that impact host health and the gut microbiome through untargeted workflows. At SUMS, she continues her metabolomics work and is learning targeted workflows. In her spare time, Elisa enjoys fermenting foods, hiking, and watching movies. 

Email: ecaffrey@stanford.edu

Yahaira Chavez Gallegos, Metabolomics Research Intern

Yahaira is a research intern who is part of the Stanford Community College Outreach Program. She is currently an undergraduate student pursuing her B.S. in Forensic Science: Biology Concentration at San Jose State University. Her research work focuses on a comparison of derivatization methods for short-chain fatty acids and applying it to a comparison of metabolites in different fermented foods. In her free time, she likes to bake, binge-watch TV shows, and go to the gym. 

Email: yahairachavezgallegos@gmail.com 

Arianne Caudal, PhD, Proteomics Research Associate

Arianne graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Washington in 2021. Her primary research interest was understanding metabolic protein interactions influencing cardiac health and disease. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, she uses LC-MS techniques to understand metabolic interactomes using stem cell-derived cardiac models. Outside of work, she enjoys being asleep.  

Email: acaudal@stanford.edu

Fernanda Gonzalez, BS, Proteomics Research Associate

Fernanda Gonzalez graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She’s currently completing her PhD in Cancer Biology at Stanford University. She’s very interested in discovering cancer-specific molecular mechanisms and using classic and modern genomic and proteomics technologies to do so. She enjoys meeting fellow scientists through outreach events and has participated in FAST, Advance and SIMR Stanford outreach programs. Outside of work, she loves to play tennis and to pick up a good book. 

Email: ferngonz@stanford.edu 

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. Odin also moonlights as mascot of the San Francisco International Pen Show.