Benjamin K. Chen, MD, PhD
Professor
E-mail: benjamin.chen@mssm.edu
Ben is a Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, affiliated with the Immunology, Microbiology, and Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics graduate training areas. For over 30 years, he and his lab been studying the virological and immunological mechanisms that enable the virus to evade immune responses and persist within immune cells. When not in the lab, he enjoys running and biking in central park, and appreciates the museums, shows and music in the city.
Dania Figueroa, PhD
Post Doctoral Fellow
E-mail: dania.figueroa@mssm.edu
Dania earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on molecular biology and virology. Her research explores how cellular processes, like endocytosis and trafficking, shape the conformation and cleavage state of the HIV Env protein. By uncovering how these cell-driven changes influence antibody recognition and viral transmission, her work highlights new angles for vaccine and therapeutic design. Outside the lab, Dania can usually be found with a good book, working on a new cross-stitch project, or biking her way through Central Park.
Svenja Weiss, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
E-mail: svenja.weiss@mssm.edu
Svenja is an Assistant Professor working in Dr. Chen’s lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research background spans HIV-1 virology, antibody biology, and host–virus interactions, with a strong focus on how HIV-1 envelope conformations influence immune recognition. Currently, she is investigating novel strategies to target cell-surface HIV-1 Env, including the use of small-molecule Env inhibitors and multi-epitope antibody platforms, with the goal of enhancing immune clearance of infected cells and the viral reservoir. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring nature, and cooking.
Felipe Lopes de Assis, PhD
Senior Scientist
E-mail: felipe.lopesdeassiss@mssm.edu
Felipe earned his PhD in Microbiology, with a focus on virology and bioinformatics. He completed postdoctoral training at FDA/CBER (translational virology) and at the NIH (B-cell immunology in vaccination and viral infection). In the Chen Lab, Felipe investigates HIV latency and reservoirs, integrating humanized mouse models with single-cell multi-omics to map T-cell responses and evaluate latency-reversal strategies. His goal is to advance curative approaches for HIV by defining and eliminating latent reservoirs. Outside the lab, Felipe enjoys playing soccer and jamming with friends.
Tia Robinson
Research Associate
E-mail: tia.robinson@mssm.edu
Tia is a Research Associate in the Chen Lab. She studies HIV infection and latency using an infectious model system known as Enhanced HIV-Induced Lineage Tracing (EHILT), which has been developed to identify cells with a history of HIV infection using an irreversible genetic marking system. She is currently using PCR-based approaches to measure total HIV DNA, integrated provirus, and HIV RNA to distinguish latent from actively transcribing infections. Outside of the lab, Tia enjoys reading paranormal non-fiction books, which helps her disconnect and step away from science for a while.
Kenenni Wiegand
MBBS Student
E-mail: kenenni.wiegand@icahn.mssm.edu
Kenenni is from Bozeman, Montana. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University where she majored in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Genetics, Genomic and Development. In the Chen-Swartz Lab, Kenenni is working on targeted reactivation of latent HIV reservoirs using lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNAs. During her free time, Kenenni enjoys exploring New York City and hiking/running in the Hudson Valley.
Sara Khaleeq, PhD
Post Doctoral Fellow
E-mail: sara.khaleeq@mssm.edu
Sara joined Ben’s lab as a postdoc in June 2025. Her research explores how HIV spreads via virological synapses, where multiple copies of the virus are passed from an infected donor cell to a target cell. She is trying to understand how this multicopy transmission shapes viral diversity and helps HIV escape antibody responses. Outside of science, Sara enjoys hanging out with friends and family and exploring the city.
Yixuan Cai
MBBS Student
E-mail: yixuan.cai@icahn.mssm.edu
Yixuan is a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) student with a passion for science, music, and making spicy Chinese food. She is originally from Beijing, China and received her B.S. in Biological Sciences at University of Pittsburgh. She joined the Chen Lab in December 2025, where her research focuses on investigating how fostemsavir—a drug that targets the HIV envelope glycoprotein—modulates the Fc-mediated effector functions of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs).
Qingying Feng
PhD Student
E-mail: qingying.feng@icahn.mssm.edu
Qingying is a PhD student in the lab. Her research mainly focuses on reactivating HIV latent reservoirs using various in vitro and in vivo models. Outside of lab, she enjoys HipHop dance freestyle and exploring pop-up markets in the city.
Marissa Goff
Post Doctoral Fellow
E-mail: marissa.goff@mssm.edu
Marisa obtained her B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in 2018 and her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in 2025. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Chen lab, Marisa works on developing assays to characterize the HIV latent reservoir and identify bNAb resistance for use in HIV cure clinical trials. Outside of lab, she enjoys playing DnD, cross-stitching, and hanging out with her cross-eyed cat.
Foramben Patel
Post Doctoral Fellow
E-mail: foramben.patel@mssm.edu
Foramben is a dedicated Postdoctoral Researcher with over 10 years of experience in virology, immunology, and epigenetics, driven by a passion for unraveling the complexities of HIV infection and latency. Her work merges experimental systems—including in vitro and in vivo latency models such as humanized mouse models—with computational analysis to explore how DNA methylation and chromatin architecture influence viral persistence. She is deeply committed to decoding the mechanisms of viral reactivation and host responses through single-molecule epigenomics and transcriptomics. As a motivated and passionate scientist, she thrives on blending laboratory experiments with computational approaches to tackle some of the most challenging biological questions. Outside the lab, she finds inspiration in creative pursuits like video editing and exploring innovative ways to communicate scientific ideas. Her curiosity fuels my continuous pursuit of new tools and techniques, especially in data analysis. When she is not immersed in research, she enjoys photography and videography, always eager to see the world through a creative lens.
Cindy (Myungshin Han)
Lab Manager
E-mail: myungshin.han@mssm.edu
Cindy joined the Chen/Swartz Lab in late September 2025 as the Lab Manager. She oversees daily laboratory operations, including BSL2/BSL2+ safety compliance, equipment procurement and maintenance, freezer inventory organization, and coordination with vendors and institutional support teams. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, she spent many years working in academic research settings as an in vitro and in vivo imaging specialist, with extensive experience in small animal models, optical and molecular imaging systems, and fluorescence-guided surgery workflows. In addition to managing lab operations, she supports ongoing experiments and is involved in onboarding and training new lab members, introducing core laboratory techniques, and establishing safe and efficient workflows across the group. Outside of science, she enjoys serving in children’s ministry at my church, and also loves making small handmade crochet items, which helps her relax and unwind.
Former Lab Members:
Wolfgang Huebner, PhD, Faculty, University of Bielefeld, Department of Physics
Yuxin Liu, MD, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology
Christina Costantino, PhD, Group Director, Global Medical Science, Roche
Natasha Durham, PhD, Instructor, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems
Anthony Esposito, PhD, Assistant Professor, New Jersey City University
Kenneth Law, PhD, Associate Director, Rocket Pharmaceuticals
Namita Satija, PhD, Associate Medical Director, Cadent Medical Communications
Lili Wang, PhD, Scientist, PTC Therapeutics