Explorer Categories: Bioengineering; Biology

Yvonne was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Chemical-Biological Engineering and Biology. While at MIT, Yvonne explored several research areas ranging from lipid nanoparticle delivery to CAR-T and CAR-NK cell engineering. Now, Yvonne is a PhD candidate in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering. As a member of Dr. David Nguyen’s lab, Yvonne researches the genetic mutations that cause X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) through high-throughput CRISPR gene editing in primary human cells. She is also an NIH T32 Predoctoral Fellow and Bioengineering Department Scholar. Outside the lab, Yvonne enjoys pilates, film photography, and escaping reality through films/books.

Rohan’s research endeavors are deeply rooted in plant synthetic biology, specifically focusing on the reprogramming of plant development to enhance crop resilience and efficiency. Currently pursuing his studies in Bioengineering and Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, he is making strides in his project at the Joint BioEnergy Institute. Rohan is researching the use of engineered Type-B Response Regulators to precisely control lateral root growth in the Shih laboratory. This work seeks to tackle the challenges seen in designing synthetic plant genetic programs while avoiding cross-talk among plant developmental processes. By optimizing the root system’s access to vital nutrients and water, his research holds the promise of significantly advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. When he is not in the lab, you will be able to find Rohan either playing basketball, watching sci-fi movies, or enjoying the Bay Area food scene.

Zaina holds a B.S. in Biological Engineering from MIT and is currently pursuing an MD-PhD at UCSF and UC Berkeley as a member of the Fletcher Lab. Her research focuses on developing low-cost, accessible diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases. Specifically, she is working on creating assays compatible with the NTDScope, the lab’s portable microscope, for diseases such as Loa Loa, Schistosomiasis, and Soil Transmitted Helminths. Outside of the lab, Zaina enjoys crocheting, working out, and exploring the Bay Area’s food scene. She is also a proud plant mom!

I was born and raised in Canada and received my BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Currently, I am a PhD student in the UC Berkeley and UCSF joint bioengineering program. At Ritchie Chen’s lab at UCSF, I am interested in developing molecular tools for neurological disorders. Outside of the lab, I like playing badminton, cooking, and am trying to learn how to windsurf!

Hailing from India, I completed my undergraduate studies at IISER Tirupati and am currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry under Prof. Evan Williams. My research interests are centered around exploring the use of a promising new technique called Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry (CDMS) that is capable of weighing Mega Dalton-sized molecules like viruses, nanoparticles, large polymer assemblies, and biomolecular aggregates – a category of analytes inaccessible to conventional mass spectrometry. I am currently involved in elucidating structural properties of DNA origami assemblies using our home-built CDMS instrument. Collaboration being the heart of our research practice (we are welcome to more!), I am also engaged with other projects involving characterization of nanoplastic waste, and polymers used in pesticides. In my leisure time, I can be seen playing racquet sports and dancing to Bollywood songs. I love socializing and making new friends – so next time you meet someone who knows “Veena” – they are probably referring to me 🙂

I’m a junior at UC Berkeley studying Computer Science and Molecular and Cellular Biology. My project is developing a simultaneous pipeline to perform both calcium and voltage imaging operations, to improve brain imaging quality. By combining the two pipelines, we can utilize the combined results to improve both tests individually, in hopes of optimizing both imaging techniques. I enjoy the ability to combine both my fields of study, and participate in research dedicated to making beneficial technologies more widely available and easier to use. In my free time, I love playing, and watching sports, spend a lot of time listening to music, and enjoy reading to wind down.

I am a Sophomore studying Bioengineering and Data Science at UC Berkeley. I grew up on the East Coast in Richmond, Virginia. Currently, I am in the Abate Lab at UCSF. I am researching the optimization and characterization of cell culture in microfluidic droplets with my mentor Caleb T. In the future, I hope to learn more about machine learning’s applications to bioengineering. Outside of school, I love to go outdoors fishing, golfing, and hiking. I also enjoy cooking and working out.

Caleb was born and raised in Southern Vietnam. He obtained his Chemical and Biomedical Engineering undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary (Alberta, Canada). After graduation, Caleb joined BlueRock Therapeutics/Bayer as a Research Associate in the Process Development team. His work contributes to developing clinical stem cell therapy that can treat intractable disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

Fascinated by the use of Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence to understand biology, Caleb pursued a PhD in the UC Berkeley – UCSF Joint PhD Program in Bioengineering. In Adam Abate’s lab at UCSF, Caleb is developing new microfluidic single-cell sequencing tools that enable information linkage across the central dogma. He hopes to apply the technology to studying aging-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running and kayaking in the sunny Mission Bay neighborhood.

As a PhD candidate in the UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint PhD Program in Bioengineering, my thesis work focuses on modeling the evolution of proteins, both naturally occurring and artificially designed (i.e. directed evolution). I’m especially interested in combining modern deep learning architectures (transformer, Mamba) with classic mathematical models of sequence evolution. Before coming to Berkeley, I got my bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and spent one year as a Fullbright Scholar in Sweden. Outside of lab, I enjoy weightlifting, hiking around the bay, and dungeons and dragons podcasts. I also spend plenty of time with my work-from-home colleague, Crumbs the hamster.

Caleb is originally from Billings, MT and attended Montana State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. While at Montana State, Caleb discovered his interest in the intersection of biology and mechanics. He researched how osteocytes change the nanomechanical properties of local bone tissue in the Heveran Biomechanics and Bio-inspired Materials Lab.

Now, Caleb is a PhD candidate in Sophie Dumont’s lab, broadly interested in understanding the mechanics underlying mammalian cell division. More specifically, Caleb is focused on using micron-scale biophysical assays to better understand how the mammalian spindle senses, responds to, and repairs force-induced damage to its structure at the molecular scale. Knowledge uncovered from this work, will hopefully lead to a more complete picture of how the spindle maintains its dynamic structure while subject to internal and external forces throughout cell division.

Outside of the lab, Caleb enjoys cheering on Bay Area sports teams, golfing, cooking, and checking out local breweries.