Adrian M. Piliponsky, PhD

Principal Investigator
adrian.piliponsky@seattlechildrens.org

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Global Health
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pathology
University of Washington School of Medicine
Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Specialties
Immunology, Mast cell and Basophil Biology, Allergic Inflammation, Innate Immunity

Hometowns
Buenos Aires, Argentina; Jerusalem, Israel; San Francisco, CA

Education
PhD in Cell Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. BS. in Pharmacy, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

R01AR076353-NIH/NIAMS (Gross, PI): Bone Marrow Inflammation and Bone Resorption
Role: Co-Investigator

R01HL153979-NIH/NIAD (Hallstrand, PI): Origin and function of intra-epithelial mast cells in asthma
Role: Co-Investigator

R01AI152268-NIH/NIAID (Piliponsky/Rajagopal, MPI): FXIIIA production by mast cells for innate immunity

R01AI140626-NIH/NIAID (James/Piliponsky, MPI): Role of Dock8 in Mucosal Immunity

R01HL141094 -NIH/NHLBI (Piliponsky, PI): Critical role of basophils in the enhancement of the innate immune response during sepsis

R01AI133976-NIH/NIAID (Rajagopal, PI): Role of the hyaluronidase in GBS Virulence
Role: Co-investigator

Nyssa Becker Samanas, PhD

Research Scientist III
nyssa.samanas@seattlechildrens.org

Research Interests
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Gene Editing, Method Development, Proteomics

Education
PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington; BS in Biology/Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Hometown
Milwaukee, WI

Interests Outside Lab
Raising two tiny humans, baking, knitting

Albert J. Seo

Research Technician II
albert.seo@seattlechildrens.org

Research Interests
Applied Biophysics in Immunology, Nanoparticles, Synthetic Biology, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering.

Hometown
Auburn, WA

Education
BSc. in Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle.

Interests Outside Lab
Working Out, Cooking, Video Games, Golfing, Guitar, Coffee.

Fun Fact
I lost in Pac-Man and Foosball at the Institute’s 15th year anniversary ☹

Josie Sachen

Undergraduate Volunteer

Research Interests
Immunology and Molecular Ecology.

Hometown
Orange County, CA

Education
BSc. Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Minor in Environmental Science and Resource Management 2023, University of Washington

Interests Outside Lab
Bird watching, backpacking, painting, and cooking!

Fun Fact
My favorite dinosaur is a Spinosaurus!

Irina Miralda Molina, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow 
Irina.miraldamolina@seattlechildrens.org

Research Interests
Innate Immunity, Cell Biology, Infectious Diseases, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Bacterial Pathogenesis.

Hometown
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Education
PhD in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville; MS in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville; BS in Biology, University of Louisville

Interests Outside Lab
My Australian Shepherd dog Tula (named after Francisella tularensis), Cooking & Baking, Coffee, Plants, Art, Hiking.

Jake S. Foronda

Research Technician I
jake.foronda@seattlechildrens.org

Research Interests
Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biostatistics, Epidemiology

Hometown
Federal Way, WA

Education
BS in Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology, University of Washington Seattle

Interests Outside of Lab
Working Out, Soundtracks, Gourmet Hot Sauces, Video Games, Horror Movies, Anime.

Fun Fact
I am one of the valiant few who battled Nyssa in what turned into the one of the greatest losses suffered during the Research Division 15th Anniversary Arcade Party. The experience of such a devastating defeat at the hands of Nyssa in both Pac-Man and Foosball stays with me to this day.