MEDHA PATHAK, PhD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Medha is a biophysicist interested in how mechanical forces shape neural processes. She enjoys developing multi-disciplinary and novel approaches for studying complex biological processes. She also enjoys reading, hiking, yoga, cooking and exploring the local beaches.

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 Bio | CV 

medhap at uci.edu

MITRADAS PANICKER, PhD

ASSOCIATE ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

Das Panicker (A.K.A. Panic in a previous avatar) is interested in the role of Piezo1 in neural stem cell differentiation. He likes ‘out of this world’ ideas in neurosciences, serotonin, and stem cells, but is still looking for the time to pursue all of them.

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mmpanick at uci.edu

JAMI NOURSE, PhD

ASSISTANT PROJECT SCIENTIST

Jami is a cell biologist who enjoys developing and applying novel technologies to understand how cells interpret their environment to shape cell fate and function.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband and four daughters. Also on the list of passions is: improving in Crossfit, walking the dog, visiting the beach, visiting Pubs with her husband and friends, reading novels, and keeping up with the politics and policies that affect the health of the local and global environment and the strength of democracy in the U.S. and Europe.

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jnourse at uci.edu

BETH EVANS

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

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evansbeth231 at gmail.com

JESSE HOLT

GRADUATE STUDENT

Jesse graduated from UCSD in Cognitive Neuroscience. He then worked at UCSF before coming to UCI to get his PhD. Jesse is interested in using various imaging techniques to study the behavior of ion channel activity. In his free time, Jesse enjoys participating in ridiculously strenuous activities such as triathlons, rock climbing and hiking.

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holtj at uci.edu

ALAN LY

GRADUATE STUDENT

Alan graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. Before coming to UCI, Alan worked in a structural biology lab at UCLA. Alan’s research interests lay in the crosstalk between cells and their environment and how it directs cell fate. When he’s not thinking about science, you can usually find Alan at a concert, exploring new restaurants, or walking (and picking up) his friends’ pets.

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atly1 at uci.edu

GABRIELLA BERTACCINI

GRADUATE ROTATION STUDENT

Gabby graduated from UC Davis in 2019 with a B.S. in Cell Biology and a Minor in Technology Management. Prior to coming to UCI she worked as a Manufacturing Sciences Cell Culture Laboratory Intern at Genentech. If she is not in the lab, she enjoys grabbing a cup of coffee with friends or going out to eat. You can also catch her daydreaming of going to Disneyland on the weekends.

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gbertacc at uci.edu

MULATWA HAILE

GRADUATE ROTATION STUDENT

Mulatwa earned her BS in Biological Sciences- Systems Physiology and minors in Chemistry and African American History from San Jose State University. She is interested in developmental and molecular neuroscience. In her spare time she enjoys making science parodies as part of a duo known as PhDivaz!

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mthaile at uci.edu

HAMID ABUWARDA

JUNIOR SPECIALIST

Hamid graduated as a biology major at UCI in the Campuswide Honors Program. His friends would describe him as a “pretentious hipster” but he prefers the term “coffee connoisseur”. Hamid excels in complex lab  techniques, latte art, and arabic calligraphy. If he’s not studying, you can often find Hamid daydreaming of Khaleesi ruling the world.

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habuward at uci.edu

NGUYEN MINH TRUONG

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

Nguyen is a 4th year bio student who is quite proud that he has a last name for a first name. He loves anything relating to the human body, especially the brain. If he is not in lab doing dissections, he is at home sleeping, sleeping, or sleeping. Nguyen hopes to become a doctor and travel the world to provide healthcare for underdeveloped communities.

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nmtruon1 at uci.edu

ESMERALDA IZQUIERDO

JUNIOR RESEARCHER

Esmeralda graduated as a psychology major at UCSD with an emphasis on neuroscience. She hopes to  obtain a greater understanding of psychological disorders and their effects. Her kryptonite is pastries. All pastries…. all the time. Use this information wisely.

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eizquier at uci.edu

HARSH BHAVSAR

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

Harsh is a 4th year Biological Sciences student who aspires to become a neurosurgeon one day. He loves learning new things as there is never enough knowledge one can know. He wants to go skydiving before he graduates from UCI.

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hbhavsar at uci.edu

ABHISHEK KULKARNI

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

Abhishek is a 2nd year Biomedical Engineering: Premed major who is yet to figure out what he wants to be in the future. He loves to watch NBA games whenever he can, and has a goal of visiting at least one new country every year.

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abhishsk at uci.edu

SAMI SMITH

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

Sami is a 4th year Neurobiology major for not just a passion on neuro, but a passion in Pokemon as well. She's loved Pokemon since she was young and now she gets to share that with her residents this year as the RA of Elrond.

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smithsl1 at uci.edu

KAITLYN MANH

CIRM BRIDGES INTERN

Kaitlyn is a 5th year Biological Science major and CIRM intern from Cal State Fullerton. She is interested in stem cell research and their potential applications in biotechnology. If you can’t find her in the lab, she can be found at her desk drawing, in the backyard with her 20+ plants, or inside playing Super Smash Bros or Animal Crossing. If you want her attention, please deliver her pasta pizza.

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manhkait at uci.edu

VIVIAN LEUNG

WORK-STUDY UNDERGRAD

Vivian is a 4th year Biological Sciences student who is working towards her lifelong dream of becoming a family physician. She has dedicated most of her life to volunteering and giving back to her community. During her free time, she loves spending time with her friends and family, hiking, and eating good food (you'll most likely run into her in Koreatown eating KBBQ). 

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vmleung at uci.edu

SHAYAN FINI

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

& WORK-STUDY STUDENT

Shayan is a 3rd year biomedical engineering pre-med major hoping to become a doctor in the near future.  He enjoys reading about the many mysteries and astonishments relating to the human body.  If Shayan isn't at the library, lab, or in class, he's most likely standing in some line to buy something to resell.

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sfini at uci.edu

DAVID LEE PHAM

WORK-STUDY UNDERGRAD

David is a 2nd year Biomedical Engineering student hoping to help others in any way he can. He has an obsession with the color blue and dolphins (although he still likes other aquatic animals like turtles or tardigrades). He enjoys doing origami, playing chess, and revisiting old Pokemon games in his free time.

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dlpham1 at uci.edu

MARIZE RIZKALLA

WORK-STUDY UNDERGRAD

Marize is a 2nd year Pharmaceutical Sciences UCI student in the Campuswide Honors Collegium. She is interested in developing and improving medications as well as understanding their effects on the human body. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching crime shows on Netflix, cooking/eating Egyptian food, hiking, and attempting to teach herself guitar and piano.

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mrrizkal at uci.edu

TIA DESARKAR

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Tia is senior at Beckman High School and has always had a keen interest in human anatomy and biology.  In her free time she loves to play volleyball, go to the beach, and discover new view points around Orange County. In the future, she would like to travel the world while also pursuing a career in the medical field.

KIANNA MARIA DOMINICK

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Kianna is a senior at Sage Hill High School with an interest in neuroscience, molecular biology and music. She can often be found playing piano and singing or taking real-life Harry Potter classes online and creating contests for her house, Gryffindor. In the future, Kianna hopes to travel the world to learn about different cultures and become a doctor.

NHU NGUYEN

Nhu is currently in medical school, studying to be a pathologist. Not only is Nhu a master at chemistry and math, she  is also  an excellent chess player. She likes reading books,  watching soccer games, and researching about traditional  herbals. After a long day, Nhu loves watching America’s Got Talent but wishes Emma Watson could be one of the judges!

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nhun1 at uci.edu

SOUMYA HUNAGUND

Soumya graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior and a minor in Human Development. She is interested in the medical field and studying neurological diseases.

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shunagun at uci.edu

BRIAN NGUYEN

Brian is a 4th year biomedical engineer aspiring to become an expert in medical devices and technology. He used to be a national badminton player representing Viet Nam, but now he also loves to game, eat, and play music.

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baodn1 at uci.edu

KLARA ZAKERY

Klara is a 4th year biological sciences major interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. She loves to meet and connect with new people. She loves to snack on cold watermelon, dance, run, and try and count the stars in the sky on rooftops at night.

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zakeryk at uci.edu

LADELYN BOONLUA

Ladelyn is a 4th year public health sciences major, working on Piezo1 in neural development. In the long term she is interested in understanding the different conditions and practices of global medical care and therapies. She loves her dog Charley and food, especially tacos and all you can eat Korean bbq!

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lboonlua at uci.edu

ZOE DU

Zoe (Huixun) is a 4th year Pharmaceutical Science major aspiring to join the pharmaceutical industry. She is interested in all kinds of sports. She wants to master one martial art, but she has not decided between Wushu or Laido.

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huixund at uci.edu

MAHAZABIN AZAD

Mahazabin, also goes by Moon, is a 3rd year Biological Sciences undergrad who hopes to be a pediatrician one day. She loves to volunteer and learn more about the medical field. Moon enjoys being crafty such as making pop-up birthday cards, designing t-shirts, and recently, bullet-journaling. She also loves to binge-watch Netflix TV shows (she has probably seen every single show you name) and eating KBBQ (but only the best ones in Koreatown).

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azadm at uci.edu

JUHI GOPAL

Juhi is a 4th year biomedical engineering major. She hopes to gain more knowledge of cell biology and microscopy in order to apply these concepts to engineering principles. Juhi is a self-proclaimed professional snacker whose favorite snacks include fruit and curly french fries. She aspires to own a French bulldog named Steve.

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gopalj at uci.edu