Principal Investigator

 

Sarah Stanley, PhD

Sarah received her BS in Chemistry from Trinity University and her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UCSF where she was a graduate student in Jeff Cox's lab. Sarah was a Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT in Deborah Hung's laboratory

sastanley [at] berkeley [dot] edu

 
 

Current Lab Members

Douglas Fox, Assistant Specialist, Tuberculosis Vaccine P01 Core (TBVx)

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

B.A., Duke University

Ph.D. Chemistry, UC Berkeley

Douglas is taking on project management for a P01 grant shared between the Stanley, Portnoy, Vance and Cox labs at UC Berkeley.

douglas [underscore] fox [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Sam Berry,

Postdoctoral Fellow

Hometown: Orangeburg, New York

B.S. ACS-Certified Chemistry, Tufts University

Ph.D. Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Washington

Sam graduated from Tufts University with an ACS-certified Chemistry degree, and completed his PhD at the University of Washington in Applied Bioanalytical Chemistry, where he developed microscale platforms to study cell-signaling in human pulmonary disease. Sam is interested in understanding mechanisms underlying protection against TB infection.

Helia Samani, Staff Research Associate

Hometown: Saman, Iran | Atwater, California

B.S. Microbial Biology, UC Berkeley

I recently graduated from Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources with a degree in Microbial Biology, with an emphasis on host-pathogen interactions. I was previously a member of Dr. Daniel Portnoy’s lab where I studied the facilitatory role of AP180/CALM by individual gene knockout in conditionally immortalized macrophages, under the mentorship of Dr. Ying Feng. In my spare time I enjoy going to the Berkeley Farmers’ Markets, listening to music, and spending time in the sun with my loved ones.

heliasamani [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Carolina Agudelo, Graduate Student of Infectious Diseases & Immunity

Hometown: Miami, Florida

B.S., University of Florida

I'm Carolina and I received my Bachelor's in Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. I'm currently a second year grad student and a joint student between the Stanley and Wolf labs. I'm interested in the role the gut microbiome plays in the host's susceptibility to bacterial infections.

carolinaagudelo [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Daniel Fines, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland

B.A. Biological Sciences & Mathematics, Cornell University

I study the mechanism of intracellular lipid inclusion (ILI) formation in Mycobacteria and the impact of ILIs in pathogenesis. Outside of lab I use a multidisciplinary approach to seek out trendy restaurants, an interdisciplinary approach to cook new dishes, and an intradisciplinary approach to playing tennis. I also play video games til my brain turns to mush.

Photo Credit: Sarah Stanley

Ronald Rodriguez, Graduate Student of Plant & Microbial Biology, NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, CUNY John Jay College

I am currently a PhD Candidate in Microbiology in the Stanley Lab. My research focuses on identifying and dissecting genetic mechanisms of anti-mycobacterial drug resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus, an emerging, non-tuberculosis mycobacterial pathogen responsible for various human infections that are difficult to treat with standard antibiotic therapy. I hope that my research findings can be used to help implement drug-repurposing strategies with the ultimate goal of designing the next generation of antibiotic regimens targeting M. abscessus. Outside of lab, I like sports (basketball, football, soccer), playing video games, drinking coffee, bougie restaurants, going on long walks, reading memoirs and novels, baking, and television (documentaries, drama shows, and reality TV).

ronald [dot] rodriguez [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Kayla Dinshaw, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan

I study how mycobacteria protect themselves from stressors produced by the host during infection. I'm also interested in developing new techniques for genetic screens in mycobacteria. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors playing tennis, running, and hiking.

Alex Zilinskas, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Lyons, Illinois

B.S. Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago

I research the adaptive immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. I also am working on a screen for unknown virulence factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. When I'm not in the lab, I like to paint, read a good book, or just travel around the Bay Area.

Nick Campbell-Kruger, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

B.S. Biology with an emphasis on Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stanford University

Nick graduated from Stanford University. He is a passionate microbiologist with a particular interest in mycobacterial cell wall structure and function. 

Andrea Anaya Sanchez, Graduate Student of Plant & Microbial Biology

Hometown: Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de las Americas Puebla

MSc Innovative Medicine, University of Groningen

I was born and raised in Mexico, where I did my bachelor studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences. I then went to the Netherlands to do my master studies and absolutely fell in love with pathogenic bacteria. I actually think studying bacteria is one of the coolest things one can do. I came to Uc Berkeley as part of my master studies and stayed in the Portnoy lab after that. I am now a joint PhD student in the Stanley and Portnoy labs where I study how bacteria have adapted to their host in order to succeed in infection. In particular, I am interested in the role of aldehydes in host-pathogen infection dynamics.

andrea [dot] anayasz [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Isabel D. Lamb-Echegaray, Graduate Student of Infectious Diseases and Immunity

Hometown: Zaraut, Spain

B.S Biology, James Madison University

I am interested in the identification of correlates of protection to tuberculosis infection. More specifically, I study the mechanisms and development of vaccines and diagnostics for tuberculosis. When not in the lab, I enjoy doing outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and surfing. I also enjoy volunteering in programs that involve science, healthcare, and children.

isabel [dot] lamb [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Lillian Shallow, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: San Diego, California

B.S. Microbial Biology, UC Berkeley

As an undergraduate in the Stanley lab, I studied MRSA virulence factors in the context of the skin microbiome. As a graduate student, I am interested in the host innate immune response to tuberculosis infection. I am also passionate about global scientific capacity building and increasing access to science education. Outside of lab I love to dance, climb rocks, and go on beach hikes!

lillianshallow [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Noah Baker, Master’s Student in Public Health

Hometown: Snohomish, Washington

B.S. Biochemistry, University of Washington

I graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Biochemistry and began working on COVID-19 pharmaceutical, surveillance, and epidemiological studies. Currently, I am pursing an Epidemiology and Biostatistics MPH here at Berkeley. My research focuses on bridging epidemiology and molecular biology using transnational clinical methods to better understand, prevent, and treat COVID-19 in Uganda.

 

Undergraduate Researchers

Thomas Kouyate, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Dakar, Senegal

In Progress: B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley

Thomas is an international student from Mali and a transfer from Cal Poly SLO. Majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice, Thomas is striving to better understand pathogenesis in order to help people in disadvantaged situations live a better life in the future.

Emelliah Vaught, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: San Diego, California

In Progress: B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley

I am currently a third year at UC Berkeley studying Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology and Pathogenesis. I am particularly interested in pathogens and their ability to develop drug and antibiotic resistance. Outside of the lab I enjoy listening to music, going to the gym, and spending time outdoors!

Heyuan (Michael) Ni, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Beijing, China

In Progress: B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology, Data Science; B.S. Business Administration, UC Berkeley

I am an undergrad student in the Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship program here at UC Berkeley, majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology, Data Science, and Business Administration. I find myself keen on pursuing biotech-entrepreneurship opportunities and solving regional sustainability issues - like inaccessibility to clean water and the overuse of antibiotics. I am a biochem student who fell in love with immunology; here at the lab, I work with Alex to study methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and its pathogenesis. I plan to pursue an MD-PhD program after graduating.

michael [dot] ni [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Lab Alumni

Ira Jain, Postdoctoral Fellow. Current position: Scientist, TScan Therapeutics Inc | ijain@nevada.unr.edu

Marietta Ravesloot-Chavez, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Davis

Sagar Rawal, Staff Research Associate.

Robyn Jong, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Scientist at Vir biotech

Erik Van Dis, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stetson Lab, University of Washington.

Matthew Knight, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.

Alexander Baltodano, Staff Research Associate. Current position: Medical School, UC Davis

Katie Lien, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Urdhal Lab, Seattle Children’s

Sorel V Ouonkap Yimga, Staff Research Associate. Current position: Graduate Student at Brown University.

Kimberly Sogi, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow. Current position: Manager of Research Operations, Vir Biotechnology

Jonathan Braverman, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Yilnaz Lab, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT

Danielle Pedersen, MS. Graduate Student. Current position: Physician’s Assistant Masters program, Stanford University

Laura Flores, Lab Manager. Current position: Director of High-Containment Laboratories at UC Berkeley

Gwen Davis, Lab Manager.  Current position: Internal Medicine Resident, UCLA

Former Undergraduates

Vivian Bui, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: MPH student in Epidemiology/Biostatistics at UC Berkeley | vpbui@berkeley.edu.

Xammy Nguyenla, BS, Undergraduate Researcher, Staff Research Associate. Current position: MD/PhD student at OHSU.

Kiran Magee, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Medical School, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.

Lily McCann, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Clinical Research Associate at Vitalant Research Institute

Katherine Chen, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Epidemiologist at California Department of Public Health

Robert Potter, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Clinical & Public Health Microbiology Fellow at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis