Team
Leadership and Staff
Michael Kissner
- Director of Operations
Michael has been involved in the flow cytometry field since 2008, working across a variety of settings that have given him a unique perspective on the field. He was first introduced to flow cytometry and cell sorting as a laboratory technician in a developmental biology lab, where he was tasked with isolating primordial germ cells and has never looked back. Since then, Michael has managed multiple core facilities and held R&D and support roles at several companies, contributing to the launches of both cell sorting and cell analysis equipment.
In 2017, Michael was recruited to Columbia University by Dr. Emmanuelle Passegué, Alumni Professor and Director of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative (CSCI), to establish the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative Flow Cytometry Core from the ground up. Under his leadership, the core has grown from a three-instrument facility into a VP&S Scientific Platform that maintains an array of flow cytometer analyzers, cell sorters, image cytometers, and genomics equipment, supporting hundreds of labs and researchers across Columbia University and beyond.
Michael is also an active member of the broader flow cytometry community, serving as Vice President of MetroFlow, the NY/NJ Flow Cytometry Users Group, and taking on leadership roles in other flow cytometry interest groups. He frequently participates as a speaker, sharing his unique perspective on supporting cutting-edge research at Columbia University.
Zachary Koenig, PhD
- Scientific and Technical Manager
Zachary is an immunologist with over five years of experience in flow cytometry and a background spanning bacterial genetics, molecular virology and translational immunology. Following a BS at SUNY Geneseo, he completed his MS at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health Center for Vaccine Research, focusing on innate immune control of Rift Valley fever virus infection. He then pursued his PhD at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine developing expertise in flow cytometry to support his work on maternal-fetal immunology.
During his PhD, Zachary conducted translational studies of lymphocytes in healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies with a focus on CD4+ T effector cell responses to fetal antigens, using a wide range of techniques from high parameter spectral immunophenotyping and computational analyses, to conventional cell sorting. Through this work, he developed a particular appreciation for flow cytometry as a powerful tool for addressing complex biological questions and advancing cutting-edge research.
Zachary is particularly interested in flow cytometry method development and the intersection of science and technology to improve study quality. He is excited to join the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative Flow Cytometry Core and bring his experience to bear supporting high impact research at Columbia University.
Juan Idiarte
- Flow Cytometry Specialist
Born and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay, Juan is a biologist with a background in molecular and cell biology and clinical research. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences in 2021 from the Universidad de la República (UdelaR) before going on to pursue a Master's degree in Molecular and Cell Biology at the same institution, further deepening his expertise in the field. Juan has been a member of the CSCI Flow Cytometry Core since 2023, where he works alongside researchers to design experiments, operate cell sorters, cell analyzers, and imaging flow cytometers, and train researchers to use the instruments independently.
Christopher Wu
- Flow Cytometry Specialist
Hailing from the great state of New Jersey, Chris joined the CSCI Flow Core in December of 2023 as a part of the core staff. Chris did his undergraduate at The College of New Jersey earning a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Biology. Chris loves all things computing and engineering, working on his car and computer during his free time. You can find some of the current side projects he is working on in his GitHub below: https://github.com/mnist-wu.
