H2H8 Community & Explorers

As a Ph.D. student in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley, I study aging with a focus on sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Despite advances in understanding muscle atrophy, no effective therapies exist to restore muscle function in aging populations. My research investigates how satellite cells, the stem cells responsible for muscle regeneration, lose their regenerative potential outside their native microenvironment. To address this, I engineer in vitro models that replicate the extracellular matrix and mechanical cues of healthy muscle tissue. By analyzing how these biophysical factors affect satellite cell activation and differentiation, I aim to identify mechanosignaling pathways that can be targeted to enhance muscle repair. This work has broad implications for restoring mobility and independence in the elderly and may also benefit those with muscle-wasting diseases like muscular dystrophy or cachexia.

Hello, My name is Dora Ogbonna and I am a 4th year MD-PhD student studying BioEngineering in the Joint UCSF/UC Berkeley BioEngineering PhD program. I am originally from Enugu Nigeria but moved to Roseville, California. I went to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for my undergraduate studies where I majored in Chemical Engineering. My current research is focused on the use of CRISPR Base Editors to engineer antibody resistance onto regulatory T cells (Tregs) for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. I am passionate about the intersection of use of engineering in immunology to create therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the affordability of the resulting treatments. Outside of the lab, I am interested in running, teaching, reading non-fiction, and watching TV shows.

I’m currently a PhD candidate at UC Berkeley in the Molecular and Cell Biology program. In the Ingolia lab, I develop new tools for functional genomics using next generation sequencing and CRISPR interference to study mRNA regulation. I am also actively involved with the biotech ecosystem as a Consultant with Biotech Connection Bay Area, and previously as a Venture Capital Fellow with Insight Partners and as a Research Associate with Atoll Financial Group. Outside of work, I enjoy playing board games, trying new restaurants in the Bay Area, and staying active.

I am fully focused on both AI and biology and building tools that make biological engineering safer and more predictable. I currently work in Ian Holmes’s lab on generative models for DNA transposons also known as “jumping genes” and will be exploring their applications in genome engineering. Outside the lab, I enjoy mentoring peers and meeting people who like to build at the biology–computing interface.

I am a senior undergraduate at UC Berkeley majoring in Anthropology, with a minor in Egyptology. Under the guidance of my H2H8 mentor, I explore innovative ways to use mass spectrometry on both ancient and modern materials, reconstructing human history one molecule at a time. My research centers on archaeochemistry, with a particular focus on ancient Egyptian medicinal plants such as the Sacred Blue Lotus. I aim to investigate their pharmacological properties and potential relevance to the modern world. Positioned at the intersection of ancient magic and cutting-edge science, my work draws upon humanity’s past to inspire a brighter future.”

Qiming Zhang was born and raised in Zhejiang, China. He began his graduate studies in the joint UC Berkeley–UCSF Bioengineering Program in 2022. He earned a BS in Bioengineering from UC San Diego and spent two years working at a surgical robotics company. His research focuses on developing closed-loop neural recording and stimulation systems. Outside the lab, Qiming enjoys sports and spending time outdoors.

I am a junior at UC Berkeley studying Neuroscience and Public Health. I am currently researching the risk and progression of Alzheimer’s disease using 2D and 3D cell culture models. Specifically, I work with astrocyte and neuron co-cultures, as well as human brain organoids, to investigate how factors such as stress and blood-brain barrier dysfunction contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of research, I love baking, reading, painting, and traveling with my friends and family.

My name is Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna and I am a 4th year MD-PhD Student in Bioengineering at UCSF and UC Berkeley. I am originally from Long Island, NY, and studied Bioengineering at Harvard. I am passionate about building diagnostics and health monitoring tools to promote the health and well-being of individuals in America and abroad. I am proudly Nigerian-American, and I enjoy listening to and dancing to Afrobeats, traveling to learn about and experience new cultures, and trying new cuisines in my free time.

I am a senior studying Bioengineering at UC Berkeley, where I am an undergraduate researcher in the Clark Lab under Dr. Iain Clark and graduate mentor Kevin Joslin. My work focuses on genetically engineering natural killer cells, a specialized type of immune cell, using CRISPR-based tools to better understand the molecular pathways that govern immune cell interactions and cytotoxicity. By improving how we study and manipulate NK cells, this research aims to support the development of more effective, targeted cancer immunotherapies. I’m passionate about advancing health equity by connecting scientific research, patient care, and access to innovative treatments. Originally, I’m from Los Angeles, and outside of research, I enjoy playing volleyball, baking, and volunteering at a local animal shelter.

I am a second-year PhD student from Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) advised by Dr. Allon Wagner. I grew up in Chengdu, a city in southwest China and studied chemistry and statistics for my undergrad at Carleton College. My current research focuses on understanding the effects of chronic stress on different regions and cell types of the brain using single cell omics data to computationally identify new therapeutic targets for depression treatment. Outside research, I enjoy climbing, hiking with my dog Jojo and traveling.

I’m a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Science & Technology, specializing in Molecular Cell Biomechanics and Computational Biophysics. I earned my undergraduate degree in Bioengineering from UC Berkeley in 2021, after transferring from Santa Rosa Junior College. My research focuses on how cells sense and transmit mechanical forces through the LINC complex, and how membrane remodeling is regulated by curvature-sensing proteins such as those in the BAR domain family. Combining molecular simulations with experimental insights, I investigate how nanoscale structural dynamics influence cellular architecture and function. Originally from Togo, I bring a multidisciplinary and global perspective to my work. I am passionate about translating fundamental scientific discoveries into advances in health and biotechnology, and I am eager to contribute to solutions that connect molecular mechanisms with real-world impact.

April received her double bachelor’s degrees in Bioengineering and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She is currently a Bioengineering PhD student in the Joint Graduate Program at UC Berkeley/UCSF, and works on MR spectroscopy in neurological disorders and hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI in patients with brain tumors.

I am a 3rd year PhD student in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Program in Bioengineering and an NIH T32 Predoctoral Fellow deeply interested in uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases and cancers of the central nervous system. In Dr. Iain Clark’s lab at UC Berkeley, I develop and utilize high-throughput single-cell genomic and transcriptomic technologies to investigate cellular heterogeneity, gene regulation, and cell-cell interactions in the brain. I was born and raised in Honolulu, HI and earned my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Tufts University in 2023. Outside of research, I spend the majority of my free time playing competitive ultimate frisbee.

With a background in molecular and cell biology, particularly in biophysics, I am passionate about advancing our understanding of breast cancer development and the nature of cells in breast tissue. Working in a mechanical engineering lab allows me to leverage interdisciplinary tools to further this exploration, and I am excited about the opportunity to deepen my knowledge this semester. My ultimate goal in this program is to contribute to the collective progress in medical research.

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at Berkeley studying Bioengineering. My research has focused on DNA cell patterning, which involves creating precise DNA arrangements on surfaces to direct the placement and growth of cells, including cancer cells. By using photopatterning and chemical conjugation techniques, I can control cell placement at a microscale. This technique allows for the study of cell behaviors, interactions, and responses in environments that mimic tumor microenvironments. In my research, I use DNA cell patterning to observe how breast cancer cells interact with their surroundings, which is crucial for understanding cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment responses. By analyzing these interactions, I aim to uncover insights into cancer dynamics that could inform future therapies.

I am a PhD candidate in bioengineering and computational biology, working at the intersection of multimodal epigenetic measurement technologies and neural network models to predict gene expression. Eukaryotic gene regulation is driven by the DNA sequence of the genome in interaction with multiple layers of complex epigenetic state. I am building computational tools to help measure, model, and understand this regulatory grammar, ranging from long read sequencing data processing to CNN and transformer models trained with new epigenetic data. A better understanding of the driving forces of gene expression and its dysregulation can be used for applications ranging from disease screening to target identification for new therapeutic modalities.

Andres is a PhD student in the joint Bioengineering program at UC Berkeley – UCSF in the lab of Dr. Daniel Fletcher. His research focuses on developing new low-cost diagnostics that can be implemented at the Point-of-Care. Specifically, he is working on using CRISPR-Cas enzymes to detect a wide range of biomarkers in a multiplexed manner for infectious diseases. Before coming to Berkeley, Andres attended Purdue University where he received a BS in Biological Engineering. At Purdue he conducted research in developing paper-based molecular diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 and Bovine respiratory disease in Dr. Mohit Verma’s lab. Outside of the lab, Andres enjoys playing soccer, cooking and reading.

My name is Emilie Petit, and I am a third-year Bioengineering undergraduate at UC Berkeley and a Southern California native. At the Sohn Research Lab, my research focuses on the mechanical properties of cells. I have gained hands-on experience using the Node Pore Sensing microfluidic platform to analyze cell viscoelasticity. This semester, I will be working on a project that involves applying this technology to the study of endometriosis, aiming to deepen our understanding of the disease and improve diagnostic methods. I am passionate about contributing to women’s health research and am enthusiastic about the opportunity to further my academic and research goals. With the support of H2H8, I look forward to gaining research skills to apply to my future graduate studies and making a meaningful impact in the field.

Nicole is a third-year undergraduate studying Molecular & Cellular Biology (Immunology & Molecular Therapeutics) and Data Science at UC Berkeley. She is an undergraduate researcher in the Clark Lab, working on developing new workflows for nucleic acid cytometry to purify cells based on DNA or RNA signatures prior to sequencing analysis. With graduate mentor Sakshi Shah, she is extending an existing nucleic acid cytometry technique to improve detection of ultra-rare cells and eliminate a specialized microfluidics step in the workflow. Nucleic acid cytometry can help uncover biological mechanisms underlying viral diseases like HIV, illuminate gene expression patterns from host-pathogen interactions, or be applied to other challenging diseases with “hidden” cell populations indistinguishable by surface markers. In Nicole’s free time, she plays the cello, enjoys video games with friends, and explores the Bay Area.

Jared is a PhD student in the biophysics program at UC Berkeley in the laboratories of Dr. Daniel Fletcher and Dr. Grigory Tikhomirov. His research focuses on developing nucleic acid nanotechnology-based tools to probe and manipulate cells for biophysical research and diagnostics, as well as developing nanomedicines to improve human health. This manifests as projects involving developing drug delivery vehicles, low-cost point-of-care diagnostics, and imaging probes for cell-surface studies. Prior to Berkeley, Jared received a BS in biophysics and a BS in data science from Temple University. At Temple, he performed research in computational genomics studying cancer evolution in the laboratory of Dr. Sudhir Kumar. Outside of the lab, Jared enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring the beautiful nature in the bay area!

I am a senior studying Molecular and Cell Biology and Data Science at UC Berkeley, where I study aging and rejuvenation in Dr. Irina Conboy’s lab. I am currently working on a project tracking in-vivo rejuvenation of aged mice through pharmacological approaches, and another that focuses on rejuvenation of female fertility. I hope that our research will help with reducing chronic illnesses that come with age and increase the healthspan of humanity as a whole. Outside of the lab, I run a student-to-student peer support hotline called Lean On Me. You can also find me on the badminton court or hiking around the Bay Area.

Outside of the lab, Rachna is an active volunteer with the ASUC Student Legal Clinic and Professor David Levine’s Hygiene Heroes. She enjoys reading, crocheting, and exploring local cafes.

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.

I am a Molecular and Cellular Biology and Mathematics major with a minor in Data Science. I am from a small suburb of Kansas City. My hobbies include dancing, reading mystery novels, cooking new foods, and driving!

I’m Xiaopei Chen, a junior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and minoring in Gender and Women’s Studies. I am currently a participant in the Clark Lab within the Bioengineering Department. Working with postdoc mentor Seung Won Shin, my focus centers on the optimization of single-cell sequencing workflows. Our current endeavor aims to develop single-cell reaction compartments that allows for more complex PCR processes, such as Overlap Extension PCR and Near Full-Length PCR. We hope to provide researchers with accessible molecular toolkits, empowering them to unravel intricate biological queries. Aside from academics, I enjoy doing urban and portrait photography.

I am a PhD candidate in the UC Berkeley – UCSF Joint Bioengineering Program. My lab and I develop personalized bioelectronic therapies for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients who are implanted with neurostimulators. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is such a rich and exciting field. Briefly, it involves supplying a specific part of the brain with current in a controlled manner to resolve underlying symptoms, such as tremor or dyskinesia in PD. I develop machine learning models that predict PD symptom severity using data recorded with wearables and implantable microelectrode arrays. These models are then used to administer customized treatments to each PD patient. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, playing the piano, hiking and playing racket games, such as badminton and pickleball.

Pooja is a fourth year PhD student in Computational Biology advised by Dr. Nilah Ioannidis and Dr. Jimmie Ye (UCSF). Before coming to Berkeley, Pooja worked at Datavant, where she led a software engineering team building products to connect healthcare data. Pooja completed her undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Columbia University. Pooja’s research involves developing and applying machine learning methods to predict the effect of genetic variants on molecular phenotypes and disease.

Ilina grew up in Sunnyvale, CA in the Bay Area and pursued an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Cognitive Science at UC Berkeley. She is currently a graduate student in the joint UCSF-UC Berkeley Bioengineering program in Dr. Edward Chang’s Laboratory, broadly interested in understanding the complex neural dynamics that allow humans to perceive speech and language. She has worked on two primary research projects, one describing the neural representation of vowels in the auditory cortex, and the other focused on understanding the effects of long-term language experience on the neural representation of phoneme and phoneme sequence structure. Outside of the lab, Ilina enjoys experimenting with new recipes, backpacking, and drawing. 

Siddharth, a Bay Area native, is a senior majoring in Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS). He is currently conducting clinical neuroscience/neurology research in Dr. Jon Kleen’s Lab at UCSF studying epilepsy and semantic memory. Previously, he was a research assistant in Dr. Michael Rosenblum’s Lab investigating the role of regulatory T-cells in tumor microenvironments. In the past, he has also worked on biomechanics research in the UC Berkeley Biomechanics Lab studying strain and load dynamics on annulus fibrosus cells in the spine. In the future, he hopes to work on developing new therapies leveraging computational and genomic approaches. In his free time, Siddharth loves watching and playing sports, trying new foods, and hiking.

Jessica’s research interests broadly lie in the field of tissue engineering and mechanotransduction of stem cells. Now as a Ph.D. student and NIH T32 Predoctoral Fellow in the Bioengineering Joint Program of UC Berkeley and UCSF, she studies the immunoregulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the Sohn laboratory. Her research is specifically focused on exploring the intricate interplay between biophysical cues and immunomodulatory effects of MSCs. By unraveling these complex mechanisms, Jessica hopes to provide insight into the development of potential therapeutic interventions or treatments for immune-related diseases under the supervision of Dr. Lydia Sohn.

Carlos is from Panama City, Panama and he is a currently a PhD candidate in the UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint PhD Program in Bioengineering. Carlos received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he worked at developing microfluidic systems for the isolation of circulating tumor cells and characterizing bubble removal systems. Following graduation, Carlos worked at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University where he developed a scalable fabrication method for microfluidic organ-on-chips and contributed identifying mechanisms to chemically induce a state of biostasis.
In the Fletcher Lab at Berkeley, Carlos current research involves developing CRISPR-based diagnostics platforms for infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV and lymphatic filariasis. In his free time, Carlos enjoys riding his road bike through the Berkeley hills, playing soccer, and going out for salsa dancing.

Stephanie Brener is a Bioengineering PhD student with an MSc in Computational Neuroscience from the Weizmann Institute and a BSc in Bioengineering from Rice University. In her MSc, she used machine learning and deep learning to leverage electronic olfaction for human biometric identification from ear odor. In her PhD, she is investigating mechanisms of apathy in the brain of Parkinsonian patients and identifying adaptive deep brain stimulation protocols that could help ameliorate those behavioral symptoms. Outside of the lab, Stephanie pursues artistic and musical endeavors through fiber arts and crochet, painting, dancing, playing violin in a symphony orchestra, and arranging musical compositions for a cappella. She loves growing her rock collection, taking care of her plants, and expressing herself through music.

Originally from South Texas, Niroshan is a fourth-year Bioengineering PhD candidate and NSF GRFP Fellow at UC Berkeley. He conducted his undergraduate studies in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University, where he spent significant time researching how the extracellular matrix environment of tumor cells impacts cancer progression and metastasis. In the Delcassian Lab at Berkeley, Niroshan conducts research at the interface of immunoengineering and mechanobiology. His current focus lies on engineering T cells to have enhanced function and improved persistence in cancer immunotherapies. Specifically, Niroshan aims to uncover how the mechanical microenvironment of T cell activation can influence T cell expansion and phenotype through adhesion receptor interactions. In his free time, Niroshan enjoys running down the Ohlone Greenway, creating ceramic pieces at the Berkeley Art Studio, and cooking his kitchen.

Joy grew up in the midwest and received her B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently a rising 3rd year in the UC Berkeley – UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering and an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. In the Sohn Lab, her research focuses on studying breast cancer and immune cell interactions using microfabricated platforms. She is interested in deciphering the questions surrounding breast cancer progression and how immune cells can be leveraged to combat it. In her free time, she enjoys to play golf, go hiking, and take care of her plants!

My name is Taylor Thomsen, I am a bioengineering Ph.D. student in Professor Lydia Sohn’s laboratory at UC Berkeley. I was born in Ventura, CA, and attended California State University, Long Beach where I received my B.S. in biomedical engineering. I have since completed multiple internships both in industry and academia before pursuing my doctoral degree. My current research investigates the mechanical properties of different breast cancer cell lineages. I search to advance the capabilities of our microfluidic device that performs Node-Pore-Sensing (NPS), a high throughput process to screen cells. My research is extremely rewarding as I am a first-generation college student and want to revolutionize the field of women’s healthcare. In my free time, I like to sew, cook, and roller skate.

P.S.Nandini is from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and is passionate about advancing humanity’s approach to neurological and neuropsychiatric care by creating affordable and scalable neurotechnological solutions for brain disorders. While pursuing her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from SASTRA University, Tamil Nadu, India, she conducted research in Alzheimer’s disease at Cornell University’s Medical College in New York City through a semester abroad scholarship. She then received the fully-funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship from the European Union to pursue an MS in Neuroscience from Charite Universitatsmedizin-Berlin, Germany and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands. During her MS, she looked at the interaction between neurons and glial cells in the hippocampus, and used non-invasive brain stimulation for pre-surgical planning in brain tumor patients at the Charite Hospital, Berlin. For her MS thesis, she joined a clinical trial team at Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands and used brain stimulation to modulate brain plasticity in neuropsychiatric patients. As the first person in her family to pursue a PhD, she is now a part of the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Bioengineering PhD program, supported by the H2H8 Graduate Research Grant, the Quad Fellowship, J.N.Tata Endowment Scholarship and Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship. She is pursuing her PhD under the mentorship of Dr. Edward Chang and Dr. Ankit Khambhati at UCSF as part of a clinical trial developing neurostimulation therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression using surgically implanted sensing-enabled adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS). She is currently working on identifying biomarkers of dysfunctional mood circuits in the brain, and developing personalized brain stimulation protocols for each patient based on these biomarkers. Outside of academics, she is the Founder and CEO of The Keni Project, a student-run organization that has so far set up 12 libraries in underprivileged schools in 4 cities in India by collecting used books from the public. She is also a student and performer of Carnatic vocal music and Veena (an endangered Indian instrument) for the past 23 and 13 years respectively. She is also a painter and artist, for which she won the National Balshree award (second highest civilian honor for the youth of India) given by the President of India.”

Originally from Long Island, NY, Grace came to the Bay Area to study Material Science and Engineering for her bachelor’s degree and Computer Science for her master’s degree at Stanford University. She worked on printable batteries and flew record-breaking high altitude research balloons as team lead for the Stanford Student Space Initiative. She developed artificial intelligence tools to augment teaching ability for the global Code in Place programming course.

Grace is now a Bioengineering PhD student in the joint UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program and an NDSEG research Fellow. Currently, her research focuses on programming 4D-bioprinted tissues via biomaterial mechanics and cellular self-organization. By bioprinting materials that change shape over time to achieve origami-inspired tissue folding, Grace hopes to build advanced tissue models for regenerative medicine and drug discovery.

In her free time, Grace enjoys singing with the UCSF Vocal Chords, playing board games with friends, and hiking in the Bay Area’s great outdoors!

Ha Yun Anna Yoon received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in 2019. During her undergraduate career, she worked on developing flexible, multimodal fiber for optogenetics (under Prof. Anikeeva and Prof. Seongjun Park), quantifying blood flowmetry using IV-OCT (under Prof. Brett Bouma), and developing a small, cost-efficient CP-OCT (under Prof. Gary Tearney).
Anna is now a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley with a concentration in Biomechanics and a minor in ES&T, Machine Learning, and Neuroscience. Currently, she is researching in the fields of biophotonics, neuroscience, and bioengineering. More specifically, she is working in the Ji Lab to build kHz optical microscopes and use it to study the mice primary visual cortex via simultaneous calcium and voltage imaging. Previously, she has researched in various institutions and national labs around the world including NASA, KIST (Korea), KIMM (Korea), MassGeneral Hospital, and MIT. She has taught and advised students in various engineering and biology courses at MIT and UC Berkeley. Currently, she is serving as an educational counselor at MIT.

Originally from near San Jose, CA, I’m a senior undergraduate student studying Bioengineering. In past research projects, I’ve studied the impacts of the gut-brain axis on neurodegeneration in fruit flies, as well as identified cellular pathways involved in the “fusion” mechanism of the varicella zoster virus.

My current work in Iain Clark’s group at UC Berkeley focuses on developing tools to study the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), particularly its ability to evade treatment by integrating itself into a person’s DNA. The novel method I’m developing aims to rapidly find the single HIV site in an entire human genome and sequence it, bettering our understanding of how HIV persists in patients over long periods of time. I also do community service work through the student club I founded, UpInnovate at Berkeley, which builds connections between under-resourced high schools and academic labs and researchers.

After my undergraduate, I plan to pursue a PhD in the bioengineering field.

Originally from Southern California, Cameron Kato first came to UC Berkeley in 2015 as an undergraduate to study Bioengineering. During his undergraduate years, he studied aging and stem cell engineering under the mentorship of Professor Irina Conboy. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering, Cameron began study in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering to pursue his PhD. He is continuing his research in the lab of Dr. Conboy, focusing his efforts on pharmacological approaches to treat the degenerative chronic illnesses that often come with advanced age. Specifically, he is researching brain and muscle tissue, and how to restore senescent cell populations to a healthier state. He hopes that eventually his research will be used to help alleviate the immense physical and financial burden faced by many due to debilitating chronic illnesses. Outside of the lab, Cameron enjoys playing badminton and board games with his friends and taking trips around the Bay Area.

I’m a 3rd year PhD student at the UC Berkeley-UC San Francisco Joint Program in Bioengineering and an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. I develop and apply high throughput, single cell, multiomic technologies to study the central nervous system. I currently research in the lab of Iain Clark at UC Berkeley, and I previously received my BS in bioengineering from UC San Diego.

I am a Bioengineering PhD student studying computational and synthetic biology. My undergraduate research focused on developing molecular feedback systems to control synthetic programs using light and native pathways using designer proteins. Before graduate school I worked on engineering microbes to controllably colonize the gut and deliver a therapeutic payload to treat chronic disease. As a graduate student I have worked on optogenetic control of molecular systems, engineering synthetic immune cell circuits, and computational discovery of novel genome editors. I am currently working on using high-throughput molecular technologies and machine learning to decipher natural biological systems. I plan to use this knowledge towards engineering synthetic programs that are robust to complex environments.