Graduate and Undergraduate Students interested in participating in the mentorship program are encouraged to fill out the corresponding interest forms linked below. Undergraduate mentors are expected to have completed at least two quarters of research experience prior to signing up.
Meet Our Mentors
Damia Gonzalez Akimori
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Gloria Bartolo
Dr. Elisa Hallem's Lab Gloria Bartolo is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) home area. In the lab of Dr. Elissa Hallem, she studies the effects of widely used insect repellents on the chemosensory behavior and skin penetrating ability of Strongyloides spp.
To keep herself happy, Gloria makes time for thrift-shopping, outdoor activities, spoiling her cats, and admiring her handsome aquatic turtle. |
Znala Williams
Dr. Sivash Kurdistani's Lab Znala Williams is a second year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program (MBIDP). Now in Dr. Kurdistani's lab, she is investigating how histone H3 enzyme activity is integrated with cellular copper homeostasis. In her free time, she loves hanging with her dog, trying new restaurants, and cyphering.
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Nikki Cheung
Dr. Robert Clubb's Lab Nikki Chung is a second-year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology (BBSB) home area. Her current project is investigating the mechanisms of virulence in Gram-positive microbial pathogens. She works in Dr. Clubb's lab where they focus on Structural & Computational Biology. Outside of the lab, you can find her trying new foods, drawing animal cartoons, and exploring farmers markets
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Grasiela Torres
Dr. Anthony Covarrubia's Lab Graciela Torres second-year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP). She is currently working with Dr. Covarrubias studying how inflammation drives aging and its related pathologies. Outside of the lab, she really enjoy reading self help books, lifting weights at KREC, trying new foods/exploring LA and most importantly - discovering new music!
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Kevin Shih
Dr. Pearl Quijada's Lab Kevin Shih received his masters of Science in Physiological Sciences at UCLA. With his extensive 4 years of research experience, he is currently applying to PhD programs. He is now UCLA staff currently working under Dr. Pearl Quijada and characterizing pericytes after MI. In his free time, he enjoys running, exercising, hiking, and photography.
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Chris Luthers
Dr. Donald Kohn's Lab Chris Luthers is a third-year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) home area. His current project in Dr. Kohn's Lab revolves around genome engineering and gene therapy strategies for the treatment of monogenic blood disorders. Outside of the lab, you can find him hanging out with friends at music festivals, playing soccer or basketball, and reading historical fiction books.
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Josh Dolinsky
Dr. David Eisenberg's Lab Josh Dolinsky is a second-year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology (BBSB) home area. His current project in the Eisenberg Lab revolves around structure-based design of disaggregators and inhibitors of tau aggregation in Alzheimer's Disease. Outside of lab, you can find him in the outdoors hiking and camping, reading, or learning about Astronomy.
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Pablo Alvarez
Dr. Melody Li's Lab Pablo Alvarez is a fourth-year PhD Student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) home area. His current project in Dr. Li's lab revolves around how alphaviruses cross the blood-brain barrier and cause encephalitis in humans. Outside of lab, you can find him staying active and dancing alongside the Pacifico Dance Company.
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Matthew Moser
Dr. Elissa Hallem's Lab Matthew Moser is a second-year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Immunity, Microbes, and Pathogenesis (IMMP) home area. His current project in Dr. Hallem's lab revolves around investigating the role of metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of Strongyloidiasis. Outside of the lab, you can find him reading mystery books, catching up on the latest TV Shows and movies, and taking mental health walks.
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Clover Stubbert
Dr. Pavak Shah's Lab Clover Stubbert is a second-year PhD student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP) Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) home area. Her current project in Dr. Shah's lab revolves around the centrosomal dynamics of C. elegans during neuronal development. Outside of the lab, you can find her hiking, going to the beach, reading, sailing and trying new restaurants.
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Victoria Ji Gong
Dr. Aaron Meyer's Lab Victoria Ji Gong is a second-year undergraduate in the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Major. Her current project in the Meyer lab revolves around cell communication and immunology, specifically profiling cell immune responses to experimental products. Outside of lab, you can find her practicing archery, powerlifting, and dancing.
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Rose Chan
Dr. Robert Clubb's Lab Rose Chan is a fourth-year undergraduate in the Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major. Her current project revolves around pilus assembly in gram-positive bacteria. Outside of lab, you can find her going to concerts, thrifting, and building medal models. Additionally, she enjoys staying active and absolutely destroying Candy Crush.
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Sakina Rashid
Dr. Stephanie Correa's Lab Sakina Rashid is a fourth-year undergraduate in the Neuroscience major with a minor in Global Health. Her current project focuses on the physiological changes orchestrated by estrogen in the hypothalamus during pregnancy in the mice. Outside of lab, you can find her cooking, hanging out with friends, and creating artwork.
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Wilson Zheng
Dr. William Lowry and Dr. Peter Nonac's Lab Wilson Zheng is a third-year undergraduate in the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major with a minor in Biomedical Research. His current projects revolve around the metabolic flexibility of squamous cell carcinomas and the neurobiological foraging patterns of Argentine ants. Outside of lab, you can find him admiring the flora and fauna around UCLA, visiting new restaurants, working out, and soaking up the sun after a long day's work in the mouse-house.
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Allie Yoon
Dr. David Nathanson's Lab Allie Yoon is a third-year undergraduate in the Biochemistry major. Her current project focuses on discovering and developing small-molecule drugs to target glioblastoma. In her free time you can find her rooting for her favorite volleyball and tennis teams, enjoying food, or reading fantasy books.
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Anton Guo
Dr. Jeffery Donlea's Lab and Dr. Margaret Distler's Lab Anton Guo is a third-year undergraduate in the Physiological Sciences major. His current projects focus on sleep-dependent synaptic reorganization in response to injury and low-intensity ultrasound pulsation in Generalized Anxiety Disorder patients. In his free time, you can find him playing sports such as basketball and batminton, adventuring with friends, plane-spotting, and listening to music.
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