ICHIKAWA LAB
Saki Ichikawa, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Saki Ichikawa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Cornell University. She obtained a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Tokyo, where she conducted undergraduate research in the laboratory of Professor Eiichi Nakamura. Following her undergraduate study, Saki pursued her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the guidance of Professor Stephen L. Buchwald. While at MIT, she focused on the development of copper-catalyzed asymmetric hydroamination reactions. After graduation, she joined the laboratory of Professor Christina M. Woo at Harvard University as a postdoctoral fellow, where she investigated natural substrate recognition mechanisms of the E3 ligase adapter cereblon. Saki then transitioned to her role at Cornell University, where she began her independent career. By integrating chemical biology, organic chemistry, and chemical proteomics, Saki's independent research aims to address significant questions in the chemistry and biology of protein modifications. Outside of the lab, she enjoys birdwatching and learning all about birds. Email: saki.ichikawa (at) cornell.edu
Trisha Bhattacharya
Postdoctoral Associate
Trisha obtained her PhD from IIT Bombay, India under the guidance of Prof. Debabrata Maiti where her research was focused on regio- and stereo-selective C-H activation reactions. After graduation, She joined the lab of Prof. Tomislav Rovis at Columbia University for a year as a postdoctoral fellow, where she utilized the biotin-streptavidin strategy to develop new genres of ruthenium-based photoredox catalysts. In 2024 she joined the Ichikawa Group as a postdoctoral researcher to explore targeted protein degradation and E3 ligase biology. Outside lab, she likes to read books, watch movies, and cook! Email: tb622 (at) cornell.edu
Minyi He
Graduate Student
Minyi is a first-year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. Born and raised in Dongguan, China, she moved to the U.S. to pursue her undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley, where she majored in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry while also double majoring in Data Science. Minyi conducted undergraduate research in Prof. Evan Miller’s lab on the design and synthesis of voltage-sensitive fluorophores for imaging potential changes across biological membranes. In the Fall of 2024, Minyi joined the Ichikawa lab to explore novel PTMs and E3 ligase interactions. Outside the lab, she enjoys recreating the songs she listens to on her keyboard at home and optimizing her dishwasher usage. Email: mh2596 (at) cornell.edu
Wayne Shih
Undergraduate student
Wayne is a Physics major in the class of 2027 and plans to attend medical school after graduation. He is from Long Island and joined the Ichikawa Lab in spring of 2024. He is interested in the intersection of his research and medicine towards enhancing patient outcomes in the future. Outside of the lab, he enjoys training badminton, playing games, and solving cryptograms. Email: ws475 (at) cornell.edu
