Lab Members

Stephanie T. Chung, M.B.B.S., is a board certified pediatric endocrinologist and internist, Lasker Tenure-Track Investigator, Co-Director of Metabolic Research Program at NIDDK and Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at George Washington University. Dr. Chung has over 12 years of experience conducting clinical studies in children and adults with diabetes and obesity. She currently leads a clinical metabolic research program that focuses on improving population-specific risk stratification and management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease with the goal of reducing health disparities especially in youth and young adults. Her passions include running as well as baking delicious treats for her family and lab.

Lilian Mabundo, RN, MSN, is a research nurse in the Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch with a master’s degree in Nursing Education. She is lead associate investigator for clinical studies with expertise in conducting metabolic phenotyping using isotope tracers. She assists with the clinical management and education of patients, study implementation and data collection and organization. Outside of lab, she loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, exercising, decluttering, and is an avid “foodie.”

Dr. Noemi Malandrino is a Staff Clinician in Dr. Chung’s lab. She obtained her M.D., Ph.D., and Board in Internal Medicine at the Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. She also worked as a Visiting Research Associate with Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Hank Wu at the Hallett Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology and the VA Medical Center, Brown University, Providence, RI. In recent years, Noemi has lived in the Baltimore - Washington DC area. First, she was a post-doctoral fellow in the NIDDK intramural research program, working with Drs. Rebecca Brown and Phillip Gorden. Then, she was a resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, after which she joined the Johns Hopkins University Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism as an ABIM Research Pathway clinical research fellow. She obtained the ABIM Board Certifications in Internal Medicine in 2021 and Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism in 2023. Noemi plans to develop her career as a physician-scientist providing patient care and conducting clinical experimental research. Her research interests focus on understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes and the related complications across the lifespan. In her free time, Noemi enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.

Geethika Thota is a second-year fellow in the Inter-Institute Endocrinology Fellowship at NIH. She completed medical school in India and her Internal medicine residency at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Jersey, USA, in 2023. Currently, in Dr. Chung's group, she is working on a pilot study focused on Time-Restricted Eating, Ketone Metabolism, and CD4+ T cell Immunomodulation. Outside of her work, Geethika enjoys exploring new cuisines, cooking, and participating in community health initiatives.

Sophia Glaros is a second-year post-baccalaureate fellow with Dr. Stephanie Chung. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Biological Sciences: Physiology and Neurobiology and a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation. Sophia took an interest in the role of a plant-based diet and Type 2 Diabetes in high school. As an undergraduate, Sophia was interested in combating health disparities in her community through volunteering experiences and interactive coursework. Sophia is devoted to combining these experiences to mitigate health disparities among those with Type 2 Diabetes. She hopes to become a Pediatric Endocrinologist upon completing her fellowship. Sophia spends her free time outside NIH hiking, reading, traveling, and trying new exercise classes.

Samson Cantor is a first-year IRTA fellow in the Chung Lab through the NIDDK Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Anthropology: Global Health and Environment. As an undergraduate, Samson conducted basic science research in Immunology and completed his honors thesis on cDC1 antigen-cross presentation. He is seeking to expand his understanding of health as a clinical research coordinator. Samson is dedicated to improving the health of disadvantaged communities and was extensively involved with harm reduction, substance use disorder, and bullet-related injury clinics throughout his time as an undergraduate. Samson is excited to merge his interest in pathophysiology and commitment to serving vulnerable populations by working with youth affected by Type 2 Diabetes. He looks forward to pursuing a career as a physician upon completing his fellowship. In his free time, Samson enjoys playing pickleball, passionately watching Boston sports, and cooking.

Ila is a first-year post-baccalaureate fellow with Dr. Stephanie Chung. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a B.A. in Philosophy and with minors in Chemistry and Biology. After developing a passion for biochemistry, Ila became interested in the pathophysiology and clinical research side of type two diabetes. Specifically, after learning about how the condition disproportionally affects certain minority populations, she became interested in reducing the health disparities in the field. Building upon her volunteering work during undergrad, she also hopes to act as a patient advocate in helping to educate and inform young patients on their diabetes diagnoses. Upon completion of her fellowship, Ila hopes to attend medical school and continue to do research to advance the field of her choice. Outside of the NIH, Ila enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, and trying new restaurants!

Natalie is a first-year post-baccalaureate IRTA fellow in the Chung Lab. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Natalie’s interest in research began her freshman year as she helped to develop a metabolic adaptation study. Her passion for clinical research grew as she engaged with patients across multiple weight loss studies in subsequent years of school. In her senior year, Natalie completed her honors thesis involving chronic kidney disease patients which motivated her to pursue a position in Dr. Chung’s lab at the NIDDK. Natalie is looking forward to helping serve the underrepresented population by applying her knowledge and experiences to the Type 2 Diabetes research at the Chung Group. She hopes to continue to a PhD program upon completing her fellowship. Natalie spends her free time outside of NIH running, going to the gym, traveling, and cooking.