The Piston Lab is made up of scientists specializing in islet biology and imaging, with the goal of studying new aspects of diabetic hormone regulation, as well as imaging technique development. We also collaborate with scientists at other institutions, including many at our previous institution Vanderbilt University.


David Piston

David Piston, PhD

Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Professor and Head, Cell Biology and Physiology

Subhadra Gunawarana

Subhadra Gunawardana, DVM, PhD

Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology

Portrait of Alessandro Ustione, PhD

Alessandro Ustione, PhD

Staff Scientist

Chen Kong

Chen Kong, PhD

Staff Scientist

Portrait of Lai Kuan Dionne, PhD

Lai Kuan Dionne, PhD

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology

Portrait of Shichao Gao

Shichao Gao

Graduate Student

Portrait of Mark Ma

Mark Ma

Undergraduate Student

Portrait of Hsiang-Ting Lu

Hsiang-Ting Lu

Visiting Researcher

Portrait of Bella Melena

Bella Melena

Graduate Student

Portrait of Michael  Mohs

Michael Mohs

Undergraduate Student

Portrait of Amanda Tat

Amanda Tat

Postbaccalaureate Researcher

Portrait of Hayden Kolb

Hayden Kolb

Postbaccalaureate Researcher