Lab Leadership
Viviana Simon, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor | Simon Lab
Director | Personalized Virology Initiative
Dr. Viviana Simon’s research focuses on understanding viral-host interactions in the context of human and viral diversity. She is interested in the mode of action of known (APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases, SAMHD1) and novel retroviral restriction factors as well as the corresponding HIV, SIV and HTLV antagonists. In addition, she studies the mechanisms driving HIV-1 drug resistance, the role of copy number variation within immune system genes and develop tools to study HIV latency and anti-sense transcription at the single cell level. Her research has been continuously funded by NIH/NIAID since 2003. In addition to conducting basic research, she serves the community by mentoring and teaching. Not only is she a member of the M.D./Ph.D. Admissions committee, but she is also Director of the Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute Seminar Series and since 2016, the Director of the Personalized Virology Initiative.
Lubbertus Mulder, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Mulder Lab
Dr. Lubbertus Mulder is a research assistant professor in the Microbiology Department at ISMMS and joined the Simon lab in 2006. Prior to that he received his formal education and initial training in Italy, (University of Milan, European Joint Research Center Ispra, and the Institute for Immunobiological Research Siena now GSK). He did his post-doctoral work at the Skirball Intitute at NYU Medical Center, and at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center where he trained in molecular virology. His research interest include the interaction of host factors with HIV-1, the impact of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) on HIV-1 life cycle, the use of ERVs as molecular markers of different pathological states.
Giulio Kleiner, Ph.D.
Laboratory Operations Manager
Dr. Kleiner is the lab manager for the Simon lab since joining in 2019. Prior to joining Mount Sinai Dr. Kleiner achieved a Masters in Medical Biotechnologies and his Ph.D. in Neuroscience – Neurobiology at the University of Trieste in Trieste, Italy. Dr. Kleiner worked in different fields of the neurosciences. His PhD thesis was centered on an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease, his first postdoc was focused on the rare genetic disease “Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency” and, finally, Dr. Kleiner’s research at Columbia University investigated the role of sulfide oxidation impairment in the pathogenesis of primary CoQ deficiency.
Outside of the lab Dr. Kleiner enjoys scuba diving and playing rugby!
Komal Srivastava, M.S.
Director, Strategy & Operations
Ms. Srivastava joined the Simon Lab in 2020 as the clinical research manager focusing on operations and managament for the Personalized Virology Initiative. Prior to joining the lab, Komal worked at Mount Sinai for the Program for the Protection of Human Subjects and then for the Leni & Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics. Komal earned her bachelors in Economics and Sociocultural Anthropology from University of California, Davis and then achieved her Masters in Health Care Delivery & Leadership from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Outside of the lab Komal enjoys dance, travelling (especially where beaches are involved) and party planning!
Charles Gleason, B.S.
Senior Data Analyst
Charles joined the lab in 2020. He achieved his B.S. from Brown University and completed post graduate training in data science. He leads the Simon Lab data team, and his research interests span synthetic biology and data structures!
Outside of the lab Charles is passionate for biophysics, mountains, and pie! (Especially ones he has made)
Daniel Caughey, M.H.A.
Administrative Coordinator
Dan joined the Simon Lab in 2021. He accomplished his B.S. in Health Policy and Management from Providence College, including a program in Copenhagen, Denmark studying Healthcare Delivery and Prioritization. Prior to his time in the Simon Lab, Daniel worked as a Medical Team Associate in the Boston Children’s Hospital NICU. He recently completed his Master of Health Administration program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Outside of the lab, Dan enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with his Dachshund, Penny!
Post Doctoral Fellows
Giacomo Butta, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Butta joined the Simon lab as a post-doc in 2024, after earning his Ph.D. in Virology at the University of Milan, Italy. Giacomo’s Ph.D. project focused on the latent reservoir HIV establishes in the early phases of the infection in different CD4+ T cell subsets. His other research field was focused on the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine response in People Living with HIV. In the Simon lab, his research interests include reporter HIV viruses, T-cell responses to infections and expanding his knowledge on other infectious diseases.
During his free time, Giacomo enjoys getting lost in the city, basketball and travelling.
Hoi Tong Wong, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Wong joined the Simon laboratory in 2024. She received her B.S. in Biology from Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, then went to Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY to receive her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Her research interests mainly lie in host pathogen interactions, with a focus in viral pathogenesis. In the Simon laboratory at the ISMMS, she hopes to continue doing impactful research that can be applied clinically to help others.
Outside of the lab, Dr. Wong enjoys traveling, reading, and trying new cuisines.
Noah Peña, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Peña joined the Simon lab as a post-doc in 2024, after earning his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago. Noah’s research interests involve using RNA sequencing to dissect the heterogenicity of RNA virus populations in acute and chronic infection settings as well as studying HIV proviruses and transcriptomes of productive and nonproductive infected cells. His other research interests include tRNA, RNA modifications, and RNA epigenetic regulation. In the future, Dr. Peña plans to expand his clinical research experience and to acquire a position in industry and/or academia as an expert in RNA viruses.
In his free time, Noah enjoys playing Dungeon and Dragons and trying to find the best panaderia in NYC, recommendations welcomed!
Lab Members
Ashley Aracena, B.S.
Clinical Research Assistant
Ashley joined the Simon Lab in 2024. She completed her B.S. in Health Science from CUNY York College. Ashley’s research interests include Microbiology, Virology and Pathology. Currently she is pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Trial Management!
Outside of the lab, Ashley enjoys music, ballet, fitness and traveling!
Yuexing Chen, M.S.
Data Analyst
Yuexing joined the Simon Lab in 2023. She accomplished her M.S. from Baruch College. Her research interests include Antibody Libraries and Sequence Databases.
In her free time, Yuexing enjoys exploring mountains, archery, and astrology!
Hyun Min Kang, B.A.
Associate Researcher
Hyun Min joined the Simon Lab in 2022. He accomplished his B.A. from CUNY Hunter College with a major in biochemistry. His research interests include Microbiology and Immunology. In the future, he plans on attending medical school and becoming a physician.
Hyun Min’s hobbies include the following: astrophotography, playing the piano, amateur radio, attending opera!
Elizabeth "Betsy" Levendosky, B.S.
Associate Researcher
Betsy joined the Simon Lab in 2023. She holds a B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology with a minor in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ. Her research interests include neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school!
Outside of the lab you can spot Betsy cooking, baking, or doing anything outside (Hiking, Biking, Camping)!
Neko Lyttle, M.S.
Senior Clinical Research Coordinator
Neko joined the lab in 2021. He achieved his B.A. in Biology and recently achieved his M.S. in Clinical Trial Management! His research interests are virology, health/research equity and inclusion, and clinical research.
In Neko’s free time he enjoys playing basketball and volleyball, reading and hiking.
Anna Miller, M.S.
Associate Researcher
Anna joined the Simon Lab in 2023. She accomplished her M.S. in Conservation Medicine from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Her research interests span virology, immunology, microbiology, and public health/disease surveillance. In the future, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in virology, immunology, or microbiology!
Her other interests include bird watching, hiking, and reading.
Jacob Mischka, B.S.
Associate Researcher
Jacob joined the Simon Lab in 2023. He accomplished his B.S. in Biology from the University of New Hampshire. His research interests include both virology and immunology. In the future, he plans to gain more experience and attend graduate school.
In his free time, Jacob likes to hike, play basketball and spend time with friends.
Jessica Nardulli, B.S.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Jessica joined the Simon Lab in 2022. Prior to joining the Simon Lab, Jessica received her B.S. in Biology and Society with a minor in Psychology from Cornell University in 2021. Her research interests include epidemiology, healthcare policy, public attitudes toward vaccination, as well as Alzheimer’s research.
Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing trumpet, guitar, and piano! She also enjoys cooking and donating blood.
Lisa Neureuter, B.S.
Associate Researcher
Lisa joined the Simon Lab in 2024. She completed her B.S. at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna, Austria. Her research interests include restriction factors and their influence on different viruses, especially HIV. Lisa’s future plans are to finish her master’s degree in molecular biotechnology and eventually pursue a Ph.D. in virology or infectious diseases.
Outside of the lab you can spot Lisa reading, enjoying sports and spending time with friends!
Reima Ramsamooj, M.S.
Associate Researcher
Reima joined the Simon Lab in 2023. She accomplished her M.S. in Biology from CUNY City College. Her research interests include both microbiology/bacteria and virology. In the future, she plans to gain more experience and expertise in her field and hopefully conduct publishable research.
In her free time, Reima enjoys nature walks, hiking, reading fantasy/horror, and watching movies.
Morgan van Kesteren, B.A.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Morgan joined the Simon Lab in 2022. She accomplished her B.A. in Classical Studies from Colgate University. Her research interests include viral pathogenesis, vaccines, bone pathology, and effectiveness of surgical techniques. Morgan’s future plans include attending medical school and pursuing a career in pediatric orthopedic surgery.
Outside of the lab, Morgan enjoys sailing, hiking, playing soccer, singing, and baking with friends!
PhD Students
Hala Alshammary, M.S.
Ph.D. Student
Hala joined the Simon Lab in 2019. She is an accomplished scientist who completed her master’s from New York University. Hala specializes in coordinating lab experiments and working with the Pathogen Surveillance Program.
Charlotte "Lotte" Kearns, B.A.
Ph.D. Student
Lotte joined the Simon Lab in 2024. She completed her B.A. in Biology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. She is very interested in the interplay between the human immune response to viruses like HIV, and how they have coevolved. Currently, she is studying HIV latency establishment and the role of HIV accessory proteins and innate restriction factors in CD4 T cells. After graduation, Lotte would like to pursue a career in academia and teach and train the next generation of scientists.
Outside of the lab you can spot Lotte enjoying the outdoors, dancing, and making and eating good food!
Susanna Scaglioni, M.S.
Ph.D. Student
Susanna joined the Simon Lab in 2024. She completed her bachelor and master’s degrees in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. Her research interests primarily concern HIV, immunity, biotech drugs.
Outside of the lab, Susanna enjoys sports, dance, and music!