She/Her/Hers
Nicole’s research focuses on engineering light-responsive protein systems that direct de novo DNA synthesis within living cells, combining generative design with optogenetic control to develop programmable nanopore variants that overcome the scale, complexity and environmental limitations of current technologies. During her master’s (Rondelez lab, ESPCI-PSL), she combined in silico structural engineering of DNA polymerases with high-throughput sequencing and machine-learning optimization for improved DNA data storage solutions. Her earlier training includes developing CRISPR-based tools, telomere biology, onco-immunology, and organoid research, as well as engineering microalgae for PET bioconversion for the 2024 iGEM competition. Beyond the lab, she founded NivoCell, for in vivo nanopore DNA synthesis, and co-founded Raphelion, for generative mRNA design for next-generation cancer vaccines. Nicole earned a B.S. in Life Sciences and an M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Sorbonne University. She received a University of Washington College of Engineering Dean’s Fellowship.