Here you can find all of the past Trainees of the IBSC’s Training Programs, beginning with those who departed or completed their training in 2023. Considering applying to one of the IBSC’s programs? Consider reaching out to a program alumni to learn more!
IBSC Alumni
Sadaf Abed
CIRM Predoc: Graduated 2023 (Ph.D.)
Mentor: David Feldheim
Project: Determination of the effect of loss of Isl2 on RGC development.
Sadaf studies the development of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the output neurons of the retina. Specifically, Sadaf is exploring the role of the transcription factor Isl2 in RGC subtype specification.
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Mays Mohammed Salih
CIRM Predoc: Graduated 2023 (Ph.D.)
Mentor: Susan Carpenter
Project: Determining the role for HNRNPA2B1 in inflammatory regulation and arthritis pathogenesis.
Researching innate immune response regulation; Mays studies an RNA processing protein that they found to regulate immune response genes.
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Talieh Zomorrodinia
CIRM Predoc: Graduated 2023 (M.S.)
Mentor: Lindsay Hinck
Project:Novel methods to restrict NOTCH activation in endocrine resistant CSCs through regulation of the SLIT/ROBO signaling pathway.
Studying the development of the mammary gland and breast cancer, Talieh is focused on understanding the role of CPPED1 in triple-negative breast cancer.
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Rut Molinuevo-Llaria
CIRM Postdoc
Mentor: Lindsay Hinck
Project: Elucidating Wee1 function during proliferation and differentiation of mammary alveolar progenitors.
Rut researches the mechanisms regulating mammary alveolar endoreplication and milk production during lactation.
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Chuan Yu
CIRM Postdoc
Mentor: Zhu Wang
Project: Investigate how basal- and luminal-originated bladder tumors differ histologically and molecularly.
Chuan’s research focuses on studying the cell of origin for bladder cancer and determining how different cells of origin influence bladder cancer outcomes.
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Ben Topacio
IRACDA Postdoc
Mentor: Ali Shariati
Project: Elucidating the dynamics and regulation of MAPK signaling during differentiation of pluripotent cells
Ben studies how protein kinases regulate the cell cycle and cell fate decisions of stem cells.
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Bryce Manso
IRACDA Postdoc
Mentor: Camilla Forsberg
Project: Determining how inflammation controls age-specific platelet production by hematopoietic stem cells
Under the overarching study of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoiesis throughout life, Bryce is studying the role of aging in blood cell production in mice and humans.
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Jess Sevetson
IRACDA Postdoc
Mentor: Sofie Salama
Project Title: Advancing stem cell based organoid models of brain development
Utilizing cerebral organoids, Jess studies how inputs into a neural system affect the activity within that system.
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Kelsie Rodriguez
IRACDA Postdoc
Mentor: Seth Rubin
Project Title: Function and regulation of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 2 (CDK2) in differentiating human embryonic stem cells
Kelsie is currently working on research focused on understanding the mechanism of CDK2/cyclin assembly inhibitors.
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Alka Gupta
CIRM Postdoc
Mentor: Upasna Sharma
Project: Soma germline crosstalk for small RNA mediated transgenerational inheritance of paternal environmental conditions.
Alka works to decipher the mechanism of soma-germline communication via the small RNA, potentially carried by the extra cellular vesicles of epididymis known as epididymosomes. Alka also works to understand the effect of external/environmental stress on modulating sperm small RNA payload.
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Ryan Hoffman
CIRM Predoc (Ph.D. Student)
Mentor: Sofie Salama
Project: The patterning role of the choroid plexus in human cerebral cortex development.
Ryan is developing an organoid model for understanding the composition of embryonic cerebrospinal fluid and the role the choroid plexus (the structure of the brain that generates cerebrospinal fluid) may have on the developmental patterning of the cerebral cortex. In particular, how the serotonin receptor HTR2C contributes to the function of the choroid plexus.
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Yohei Rosen
CIRM Postdoc
Mentor: David Haussler
Project: New cell culture and observation methods for complex models of normal and ischemic tissue.
Yohei is working on technologies to more accurately model the physical-chemical microenvironment of stem cell based organoid models, in particular aiming at improving cancer and ischemia models.
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Julien Menendez
T32 Postdoc
Mentor: Lindsay Hinck
Project: Investigating the role of Notch1 in the DNA damage response and endoreplication of mammary alveolar progenitors
Julien is investigating the role of the transmembrane receptor ROBO2 in regulating mammary alveolar progenitor cell differentiation during pregnancy and lactation.
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Saran Chattopadhyaya
T32 Postdoc
Mentor: Camilla Forsberg
Project: Cause and Consequence of Increased Expansion Capacity of Age-Specific Megakaryocyte Progenitors (MkPs.
Saran’s current study is investigating the cause and consequences of expansion capacity of age specific megakaryocyte progenitors by using a murine model.
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Brian Mullen
T32 Postdoc
Mentor: David Feldheim
Project: Determination of brainstem and cortical input contribution to the functional properties of auditory neurons in the mouse SC.
Brian is investigating circuit dynamics involved in auditory processing, utilizing the mouse superior colliculus as a model of how sensory information is processed and integrated.
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