Current Lab Members

Margherita Perillo, PhD

Research Scientist, PI

I earned a B.S.  in Biomedical Biotechnology and a M.S.  in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the Università di Napoli Federico II (Italy) and a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from the Open University of London and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in the Arnone lab. I moved to a first postdoc at Boston College in the Folker lab and a second postdoc at Brown University in the Wessel lab.

In 2023 I started my lab at the MBL where I explore several aspects of organogenesis.

I am also an Associate Scientist at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn

Rianna Massoni

Research Assistant II

B.S. in Computational Biology, B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society

M.S. in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Allison Rodger

Research Assistant I

B.S. from the University of Vermont.

Aly joined the lab in November 2025.

Brian Walters, PhD

Postdoc

I earned my B.S. in Marine Science and Biology from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami in 2018. I stayed in Miami to pursue my Ph.D. under the guidance of Dr. Athula Wikramanayake, which I successfully defended in 2026. My research interests broadly focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying animal development and the comparative evolution of protein structure and function. Now in the Perillo Lab at MBL, I am excited to work on projects involving morphogenesis and Wnt components in sea star embryos!

You! We are always happy to hear from trainees who are curious about our science.

For summer undergraduate internship opportunity you can apply through our MBL program.

We have postdoc opportunities available! If you are interested in our projects please contact Margherita.