CHRISTINA K. KIM, PH.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Assistant Professor | Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurology
Affiliate Faculty | Genome Center, Center for Neuroengineering & Medicine
CV (2024) | Twitter | Google Scholar

Background. Tina received her AB in Molecular Biology from Princeton University in 2011, and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Stanford University in 2017 with Karl Deisseroth. She completed her postdoctoral training with Alice Ting at Stanford in 2021.

Research interests. Functional and molecular profiling, protein engineering, technology development, systems neuroscience, motivated behaviors and decision making, in vivo imaging and manipulation of neural activity.

Hobbies. Climbing, surfing, spending time with my Shibas, Hato and Luna.

KULDEEP GIRI, PH.D.

Background: Kuldeep completed his PhD from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR), India. His research focus lies in mass spectrometry-based proteomics to understand disease progression and biomarker discovery for early disease diagnosis. To this end, his work was also focused on targeting and validating potential non-invasive markers indicative of the most aggressive form of (triple negative) breast cancer.

Interests: Mass Spectrometry, targeting and validation of potential markers, molecular and signaling mechanism

Hobbies: Cricket, strength training, listening to music and catching up on current affairs

SOPHIA LIN

JR. SPECIALIST AND LAB MANAGER

Background: Sophia got her B.S. degree in June 2021 from UC Davis as an international student from Taiwan majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. As an undergraduate researcher, she worked with Dr. Gomes and Dr. Neris at Muscle Physiology and Proteomics Lab (Gomes lab) for 2 years investigating if NSAIDs can cause an effect on proteasome activity in cardiac cells. She is passionate about patient care and medicine and aspires to become a doctor.

Interests: Neural circuits involved in the action of psychedelics and neurodegenerative disorders.

Hobbies: Experimenting with cooking, watching medical tv shows and true crime documentaries, volunteering, collecting plushies, and inline figure skating. 

MARIBEL ANGUIANO

NEUROSCIENCE PH.D. PROGRAM
2021 National Science Foundation GRFP Scholar

Background: Maribel received her B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior from UC Davis. As an undergrad, she worked with Dr. Fioravante exploring the role of the cerebellum in emotional learning. As a PREP scholar, she worked with Dr. Joanna Chiu investigating the role the circadian clock plays in regulating an organism’s ability to react to environmental cues and properly adapt to seasonal changes.

Interests: Neural circuits underlying neuropsychiatric disorders

Hobbies: Camping, biking, drinking coffee and watching documentaries

RUN ZHANG, M.S.

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PH.D. PROGRAM
2022 National Science Foundation NeuralStorm Research Traineeship

Background: Run received his M.S. from UC Irvine in Biomedical Engineering in September 2018. After graduation, he moved to San Francisco and worked as Staff Research Associate at UCSF. His previous works focused on quantifying, optimizing, and standardizing the use of live-cell imaging and real-time functional analysis of human neurodegenerative diseases, endocrine-related diseases, and cellular derivatives.

Interests: Designing protein markers for detecting neurodegenerative diseases, Live-cell and tissue imaging

Hobbies: Cooking, skiing, playing with my dog, and playing tennis.

JOSHUA CHANDRA

NEUROSCIENCE PH.D. PROGRAM
2022 NIH T32 Trainee in Learning Memory and Plasticity

Background: Josh is a graduate student in the Neuroscience PhD program. He received his B.S. in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego. As an undergrad, he joined the Malinow Lab. Upon graduation, he picked up dual responsibilities in the Malinow Lab becoming both lab manager and research associate. He has experience working in rodents exploring decision making (Intolerance to Delay Task) as well as the mechanisms underlying ketamine and its effect on depression.

Interests: Behavioral and systems approach to neuroscience topics such as psychiatric disorders. Microscopy and Imaging.

Hobbies: Eating his way through a city, board games, sports, cooking, hiking, karaoke, sleeping, wasting time on YouTube, traveling.

ISAK AARRESTAD

NEUROSCIENCE PH.D. PROGRAM (Co-advised by Dr. David Olson, Ph.D.)

Background: Isak is a graduate student in the Neuroscience PhD program. He received his B.S. in Psychology from St. Olaf College, Minnesota. As an undergrad, he worked with Dr. Muir on the network dynamics of head direction cells, and later with Dr. Lee understanding the influence of ethanol on fly behavior.

Interests: Neural circuits and cellular mechanisms involved in the action of psychoactive drugs.

Hobbies: Cooking and baking, getting outside to see the sun once in a while, and random arts and crafts projects that I never end up finishing.

CONNOR DOUGHERTY

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PH.D. PROGRAM

Background: Connor is a graduate student in the BME PhD program. He received his B.S. in Bioengineering from UC Davis.

Interests: Protein engineering, proteomics.

Hobbies: Reading history books and playing the saxophone.

ELINOR LEWIS

NEUROSCIENCE PH.D. PROGRAM (Co-advised by Dr. Jennifer Whistler, Ph.D.)
2023 NIH T32 Trainee in Learning Memory and Plasticity

Background: Elly received her BSc in Biology from McGill University. She then worked as the lab manager in Jennifer Whistler’s lab at UC Davis, initially focusing on biochemical assays designed to test whether common human point mutations in the GASP protein affect degradation rates of dopamine receptors.

Interests: Using fiber photometry and mouse behavior to understand the role of the D3 dopamine receptor in aversion and tolerance to second generation antipsychotics.

Hobbies: Skiing, hiking, and being obsessed with her dog.

HANNAH DANIELS

Background: Hannah is an undergraduate student at UC Davis studying Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. She hopes to acquire critical research skills and is excited to learn more about neuroscience.

Interests: Neuroscience, cellular and molecular biology, and behavioral science.

Hobbies: Trying out new boba shops, cooking, traveling, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

MELANIE ROBLES

2022 ADNR Scholar; 2023 ADNR Honors Scholar

Background: Melanie is an undergraduate student at UC Davis studying Cell Biology with a minor in Philosophy. She is currently a member of the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP) on campus, as well as its associated program, Advancing Diversity in Neuroscience Research (ADNR).

Interests: Cell biology, neuroscience, philosophy.

Hobbies: Songwriting, singing, playing guitar, reading.

JOANN MA

2022 ADNR Scholar

Background: Joann is a second-year undergraduate student at UC Davis studying Human Biology. She enjoys learning new skills and discovering new ideas in the laboratory. 

Interests: Detailed brain mapping concerning behavioral actions and effects of altering brain chemistry on performed behaviors. 

Hobbies: Reading, creating very specifically curated playlists, trying new coffee shops, and binging TV shows. 

RANIA ALNAMROUTI

2022 ADNR Scholar

Background: Rania is a 3rd year undergraduate student at UC Davis majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with a minor in Political Science.

Interests: Neurological disorders, behavior, and learning new skills in the lab.

Hobbies: Enjoying the beauty of nature, reading books, hanging out with friends, cooking and baking!