Kevin H. Gardner

Director, Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center / Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, City College of New York / Faculty, Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry, The Graduate Center – CUNY

Through his training and into his own lab, Kevin integrates a mix of structural biology, biochemistry, and other approaches to investigate how protein-based switches work in cell signaling. More broadly, he’s a big proponent of interdisciplinary research, science communication – particularly in advocating for the importance of fundamental research – and bridging the academic and entrepreneurial communities. When not in the lab, Kevin is usually found on a hiking trail somewhere, underwater SCUBA diving, or exploring a new food in one of NYC’s great restaurants or his own kitchen.
KHGardner_CV-20250704

kgardner@gc.cuny.edu

Joseph (Joey) Closson

Graduate Student – Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry

Joey received his B.S. in biochemistry from Siena College where he researched the structural effects of lead poisoning on neurotransmitter protein synaptotagmin I. He is interested in drug design and the determination of drug targets through structural methods. In his free time, Joey enjoys playing games, exercising and cooking.
 

Leah Epstein

Graduate Student – Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry

Leah received her B.A. in Biochemistry and German from Lafayette College in Easton, PA before spending two years in Austria conducting research and working as an English language teaching assistant in both Salzburg and Vienna through the Austria Fulbright program.  She is interested in the work the Gardner Lab does related to understanding protein dynamics specifically structure and function.  In her free time she likes to read, bake, and travel.
 

Malvin Forson

Graduate Student – Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry

Malvin is a Ghanaian native who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Ghana. His research focus is centered around protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions and their significant potential for manipulation towards therapeutic and biotech applications. Outside the lab, Malvin enjoys working out, playing video games, watching soccer matches and discovering new cultures.

mforson@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Fatima Rizwan

Graduate Student – Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry

Fatima grew up in Saudi Arabia and moved to Pakistan for college. There she received her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Chemical Engineering from National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Afterwards, she returned to Saudi Arabia to teach English language in an elementary school before moving to the US to get her Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. There she researched biofilms and optimization of cell-free protein synthesis. At the KG Lab, she is interested in discovering ligand-protein interactions with hopes of improving therapeutics down the road. In her free time, Fatima enjoys admiring different art forms – including Broadway shows and museums. She also helps rescue cats from the brutal NYC streets.

 

Cullen Roeder

Graduate Student – Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry

Cullen received his Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in 2014. While in Boston, Cullen worked for an antibody discovery lab at Harvard Medical Center, then the vaccine discovery department of Affinivax turned GSK. As a scientist, Cullen’s primary focus is on protein design, purification, characterization and, critically, structure. Outside of the lab Cullen enjoys sports, film, music and going down the Jersey Shore.
 

Tarsisius Tiyani

Graduate Student – Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry

Tarsisius was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He moved to South Africa where he obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry and Chemistry (University of Fort Hare), an Honours degree in Biochemistry and an M.S in Biochemistry (University of The Free State). During his M.S, he investigated the effect of active site mutations in CYP153A71 on the oxyfunctionalization of short-chain alkanes and aliphatic alcohols. His research interests in the Gardner lab revolve around structure-guided understanding of molecular mechanisms used by bacterial photosensors to regulate their response to environmental cues. Away from the lab, Tarsisius likes to participate in sporting activities, enjoys traveling and exploring new cities as well as hiking.
 

Dong (Dan) Lee

Research Associate

Dan has been working in structural biology for the majority of his scientific career. He earned a B.S. in Genetics at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. He worked in the Northeast Structural Genomics (NESG) group in Guy Monteleone’s lab at Rutgers as an undergraduate and after graduation, performing high throughput molecular biology. He continues to purify proteins at the Kevin Gardner lab while also acting as the senior lab manager.
 

Erika Espinal Velasquez

CCNY Chemistry & Biochemistry Honors Undergraduate

Erika is a current undergraduate studying B.S. in Biochemistry and joined the KG Lab at the start of 2026. She is focusing on protein preparation and investigating their interactions with other proteins and ligands. She hopes to pursue a path towards a Ph.D. in the field of biochemistry to conduct further research. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her two cats and playing video games.