Team
Justin Blau (PI)
Justin grew up in London and was an undergraduate at Cambridge University, where his time in Mike Bate’s lab sparked his appreciation for Drosophila. Justin worked with David Bentley at ICRF in London for his PhD, studying how transcription factors stimulate RNA polymerase II to activate gene expression. He then joined Mike Young’s laboratory in 1996 at The Rockefeller University in New York to study circadian rhythms in Drosophila, where his research contributed to Mike Young winning the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology & Medicine. Justin joined NYU in 2000, where he has run a research lab ever since. He organizes M(N)SG – the NYU Molecular Neurobiology SuperGroup – and the NY Area Clock Club. Outside of work, Justin meditates and spends too much time watching his beloved Arsenal.
Current Members
Tristan Yuan (PhD student) Personal website
Anabelle Bunis (Research Associate)
Esha Gulzar (Research Associate)
Tristan is a second-year PhD student. He grew up by the beautiful West Lake in Hangzhou, and moved to the US in 2021. He was a Master’s student at NYU and worked in the Rojas Lab where he studied Bacillus subtilis cell wall homeostasis. His strong interest in the mechanisms of the molecular clock eventually brought him to the Blau lab, making a shift from growing bacteria cultures to dissecting flies. Outside the lab, Tristan loves techno music and is learning to DJ. He calls it Night Science.
Anabelle is a recent graduate of NYU with a B.S. in Global Public Health & Biology, earning high honors in Biology. She was a Presidential Honors Scholar and Women in Science Scholar, and completed an award-winning thesis that identified a previously unrecognized role of glia in the plasticity of adult neurons. Outside the lab, Anabelle serves as a Crew Chief and Training Lieutenant at her local EMS corps, where she leads emergency responses and trains new EMTs. She is preparing to apply to medical school and, beyond science and medicine, enjoys singing and playing piano.
Esha is a recent graduate of NYU with a B.A. in Biology, earning high honors in Biology. She was a Presidential Honors Scholar, and completed her thesis focused on isolating the presynaptic transcriptome of Drosophila larval LNvs. In the future, she plans to attend medical school. Outside the lab, Esha enjoys going on long walks and is making a return to her love for reading.
Priyam Narain (Postdoctoral researcher, based at NYU Abu Dhabi and co-mentored by Dipesh Chaudhury)
Undergraduate researchers – Biology majors:
Austin Lin
Cici Niu
Hillary Yoseph
Austin was born in Taipei and grew up in Shanghai, developing an ever-growing passion for biology along the way. He is pursuing a B.A. in Biology at New York University, where he has been part of the inaugural cohort of the Peer Facilitator Program in the Department of Biology. Since joining, he has led Principles of Biology tutorial sections each semester, fostering collaborative learning among fellow students.In Spring 2023, Austin joined the Blau Lab, where he works on uncovering the molecular pathways underlying the retraction of s-LNv neuronal projections. As a pre-dental student, he is currently applying to dental school. Outside of academics, Austin is an active rock climber and a dedicated sports fan—he watches every game of the Golden State Warriors, FC Barcelona and INTER Miami CF.
Cici is originally from Shanghai and later lived in Toronto before coming to NYU, where she is pursuing a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Psychology. She developed an interest in molecular biology through MCB1, which led her to join the Blau research lab in February 2025. Her interests in both biology and psychology have fostered a curiosity about the molecular mechanisms underlying brain function and behavior, and she hopes to continue developing her research skills in the lab. Outside of academics, Cici enjoys spending time with her dog, Ginger, as well as baking and photography.
Hillary is originally from Dallas and is a recent graduate of NYU with a B.S in Global Public Health & Biology, earning honors in Biology. She completed her thesis focused on identifying target genes of a transcription factor involved in s-LNv projection expansion, Hormone Receptor-like in 38. Currently, Hillary is preparing to apply to medical school. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading books, baking, and is an avid matcha enthusiast.
Matthias Leitner
Matthias is originally from New Jersey and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Biology at NYU, while minoring in Physics and Studio Art. He joined the Blau research lab in December of 2024 out of an interest in molecular biology and complex neural systems. Alongside his studies at NYU, Matthias is a College Leader for the CAS Cohort Program and a Learning Assistant at the University Learning Center. He plans to attend medical school in the near future to further develop his interest in neurology. Outside of school, Matthias enjoys yoga and playing tennis.
Rafay Niazi
Rafay was born and raised in New Jersey, and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Biology and a minor in English and American Literature at NYU. Rafay is investigating the differences between toy and eyeless in their effects on s-LNV retraction, as well as the effect of HIPK on toy transcription. Outside of the Blau Lab, Rafay is a Resident Assistant and CAS Presidential Honors Scholar, and is also preparing to apply to dental school in the future. In his free time, Rafay enjoys reading and trying new restaurants around the city.
Rebecca Simen
Rebecca is originally from Boston and is currently studying Biology at NYU, with a minor in Studio Art. She joined the Blau lab in January of 2024, where she studies the role of the Rho-GEF Puratrophin-1-like in regulating the axonal retraction of s-LNvs. Outside of the lab, Rebecca is a Presidential Honors Scholar and DURF Research Ambassador, where she helps other students apply for grants and secure research positions at NYU. In the future, she plans to attend medical school and explore her interest in neurodegenerative diseases. In her free time, she loves to draw, make animations, and search for the best Italian food in Manhattan.