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

Beth completed her PhD at The University of Leeds, UK studying the mechanically-sensitive ion channel Piezo1 within the cardiovascular system. This interest in Piezo1 caused Beth to move across the pond to UCI to work in the Pathak lab. Here she hopes to learn about imaging and brain organoid technologies. Beth enjoys being out in the (still novel) sunshine, exploring local breweries and running.

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elevans at uci.edu

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 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

CHERIE LEPE

INP GRADUATE ROTATION

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clepe1 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

LAB MANAGER

Vivian graduated from UC Irvine with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She is working towards her lifelong dream of becoming a family physician. She has dedicated most of her time to volunteering and giving back to her community. She also 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 4th 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 3rd 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 3rd 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