Meet the Lab

Alice H. Huang, PhD

Dr. Alice Huang graduated from Barnard College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University with a BA in Asian/Middle Eastern Studies and a BS in Biomedical Engineering. She then completed her PhD in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. After completing her graduate studies, Dr. Huang conducted postdoctoral research in Developmental Biology at Shriners Hospital for Children, where she investigated mechanisms of musculoskeletal development and integration during embryogenesis. In 2014, Dr. Huang joined the faculty at Mount Sinai as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics, with a secondary appointment in Developmental and Regenerative Biology. Dr. Huang joined Columbia University in 2021 as an Associate Professor.

Dr. Huang has trained undergraduates, PhD and MD/PhD graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and Orthopaedic residents. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), New York State Stem Cells (NYSTEM), and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF). She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Mount Sinai Faculty Award and the Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

When not in the lab, Dr. Huang can be found chasing after her twins, trying new recipes, or re-reading old books.

Principal Investigator

Emily R. King, MEng

Emily King graduated from Rensselar Polytechnic Institute with a BS (2021) and MEng (2022) in Biomedical Engineering. While there, she conducted research on engineering developmentally-inspired tendon fibers under the supervision of Dr. David Corr. As part of the Huang lab, her research focuses on understanding the mechanobiological signaling pathways regulating embryonic and postnatal tendon development. Emily was a recepient of a T32 pre-doctoral training grant as part of Columbia’s Integrated Musculoskeletal Training Program (IMTP).

In her free time, Emily can be found running marathons, riding her bike, or reading on her kindle. 

PhD Student

Abi graduated with her BS in Bioengineering from University of California Berkley in 2023. While there, she worked in the Fletcher lab on using virus-like particles to deliver Cas9 and also completed summer internships at Sangamo Therapeutics and Novartis Gene Therapies on protein purification and in vitro pharmacology. In the Huang lab, Abi focuses on identifying transcription factors involved in embryonic tendon development.

In her free time, Abi can be found taking long walks, doing yoga, and listening to music!

PhD Student

Abinaya Anbuchelvan, MS

Elaine graduated with her BS in from Johns Hopkins in Materials Science and Engineering (2023). There, she did biomaterials research in the Gu Lab, engineering alginate-based hydrogel systems to study mechanobiology and vascular network formation. In the Huang Lab, her work focuses on developing controlled delivery systems and evaluating therapeutic targets for tendon-driven diseases. Elaine was a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) award.

In her leisure time, Elaine can be found dancing, cooking/baking, and dog sitting!

PhD Student

Elaine Nagahara, MS

Terry graduated with his BS in Biological Sciences from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and his MS in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins. During his master’s study, he studied cellular neuroresilience program against multiple neurological conditions using iPSC-derived neurons in the Xu/Dawson Labs. In the Huang Lab, his focus is to identify tenocyte-specific transcriptional program to understand tendon development and differentiation using high-throughput genetic screen.

In his free time, Terry enjoys EDM music (melodic dubstep/bass), traveling during vacations and playing CS2 (more to uncover). 

PhD Student

Haohui (Terry) Fang, MS

Ella graduated with her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2024. While there, she conducted research on the development of synthetic nanoparticle antibodies for immunomodulation under the supervision of Dr. Krishnendu Roy. Ella also completed summer internships at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals focused on evaluating targeted enzyme replacement therapies. In the Huang Lab, her research focuses on understanding the role of the immune response in driving adult fibrotic tendon healing and neonatal tendon regeneration.

When not in the lab, Ella can be found chasing her dog Remi around, doing yoga, or trying out new arts and crafts.

PhD Student

Ella R. McGovern, BS

Lab Alumni

  • Giulia Crosio, PhD - Medical Writer at Aroa Biosurgery Limited

  • Varun Arvind, MD, PhD - Research-Track Resident Physician at Columbia University

  • Angela Montero - PhD Student at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences

  • Deepak Kaji, MD, PhD - Instructor and Research-Track Resident Physician at Mount Sinai

  • Olivia Torre, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins; Medical Student at University of Maryland

  • Chun (Jerry) Chien, BS - PhD at University of Southern California; Biotech Scientist, Latigo Bio

  • Kristen Howell, MS - Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.