Lab Members

Jin Zhao, MD, PhD
- Associate Research Scientist
- MD, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
- PhD, Peking University Health Science Center, China
- jz120@cumc.columbia.edu(link sends e-mail)
I employ various mouse models of recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to study the mechanistic role of bisretinoid in disease pathogenesis. Non-invasive techniques including fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and electroretinography, are used to assess the effects of potential drug and dietary interventions. Prior to this, my research interests were centered on corneal wound healing, epithelial homeostasis, and neovascularization, investigated through time-lapse in vivo imaging.
Diego Montenegro, PhD
- Associate Research Scientist
- dm3360@cumc.columbia.edu(link sends e-mail)
Sihua Cheng, PhD
- Postdoctoral Research Scientist
- PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, South China Botanical Garden, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, 2019
- BS in Agriculture, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, China, 2014
- sc5436@cumc.columbia.edu(link sends e-mail)
I got my PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. My PhD work focused on the amino acid L-theanine, a unique and important component in tea plant (Camellia sinensis), conferring the special taste and relaxation effect of tea beverage. During my graduate studies, I also conducted research on plant metabolomics, mainly studying aroma compounds in petunia flower and strawberry, and pigments in banana. After graduation, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Microbiology at Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, for two years. My project investigated cell fate determination, focusing on how phase separation modulates the assembly and dynamics of scaffold proteins. Currently, in the Sparrow lab, I am researching RPE lipofuscin and its roles in retinal disorders, and exploring therapies targeting its metabolism. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, reading, watching movies and travelling.
John Peregrin, MA, ASCP HTL
- Senior Research Worker
- Certified ASCP HTL, Histotechnologist
- MA in Ecoclogy, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, 2023
- BS in Biomolecular Science, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, 2015
- jp3730@cumc.columbia.edu(link sends e-mail)
During my undergrade at NYU-Poly, now the Tandon School of Engineering, I assisted in research to determine the critical micelle concentration for various surfactants to be used for recycling old fracking wells. My master's thesis in the E3B department at Columbia University studied the efficacy of Imidacloprid and Dinotefuran in suppressing pest populations and increasing healthy physiological metrics in Tsuga canadensis. Currently I am focused on implementing and improving histological techniques across numerous model organisms for ophthalmology research. In my free time I enjoy being in nature, playing music, and taking pictures.

Sparrow Lab

Lab Members

Jin Zhao, MD, PhD

Diego Montenegro, PhD

Sihua Cheng, PhD

John Peregrin, MA, ASCP HTL

Columbia University Irving Medical Center