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

Kayla Dinshaw, Postdoctoral Fellow

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.

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. 

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.

Hannah Nilsson, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Glenwood Springs, Colorado

B.A. Biology and Chemistry, St. Olaf College

I am a joint PhD student in the Stanley and Cox labs where I study the mechanism of colony morphology switching in Mycobacterium avium and the impact of this reversible switch on virulence and antibiotic resistance. Outside of lab I am actively searching for ways to feed my whimsy from exploring the great outdoors in any and all forms to dancing the night away to good music. I am also a proud cat mother to my three year old rescue, Calypso.

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

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

Sydnee Gould, Graduate Student of Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Lawrenceville, New Jersey

B.S., Rowan University

I was born, raised, and received my undergraduate education in New Jersey. Prior to graduate school, I spent two years at the NIH where I solidified my love for high containment research working on SARS-CoV-2. I moved to Berkeley to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) alongside other talented students and faculty. My project aims to better understand Mtb dissemination to extrapulmonary sites with a special interest in the brain. During my free time, I love trying new restaurants in the area, thrifting, and watching TV with my cats.

Amir Balakhmet, Staff Research Associate

Hometown: Almaty, Kazakhstan\

B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology IMM
B.A. Statistics

I recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a double major in MCB Immunology and Statistics. Previously I worked in the Harris Lab studying the B cell response to dengue virus infection in a longitudinal pediatric cohort in Managua, Nicaragua. I’m currently working on a similar project profiling the T cell response to tuberculosis infection in a pediatric cohort in Uganda. In my spare time I love to cook, bake, and hike!

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

I study wound healing and lung damage in the context of M. tuberculosis infection and treatment. I am also passionate about global scientific capacity building and increasing access to science education. Outside of lab, I enjoy country line dancing, dodgeball, and backpacking.

lillianshallow [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Undergraduate Researchers

Vicky Wu

Hometown: San Francisco California

In Progress: B.A. Public Health, UC Berkeley

I am currently a fourth year student at UC Berkeley studying public health. I'm interested in better understanding pathogenesis and immunology. Outside of lab, I love going to concerts, thrifting, hiking, and crocheting.

Cielo Celeste Kwon

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina; San Diego, California

In Progress: B.S. Molecular Environmental Biology, UC Berkeley

Hello! I am a fourth-year student at UC Berkeley majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology. My academic journey has been driven by my passion for healthcare and immunology. I am interested in pathogen transmission and development as well as its role in public health. Outside of my studies, I enjoy hanging out with friends/family, eating good food, and traveling!

Angela Garay

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

In Progress: B.S Chemical Biology, UC Berkeley

I am a second-year Chemical Biology major at UC Berkeley. I am interested in pharmaceutical sciences and drug development. In my free time, I love to crochet, watch romance movies, and go to concerts.

Lab Alumni

Helia Samani, Staff Research Associate. Current position: Senior Program Assistant, National Academy of Medicine

Douglas Fox, Assistant Specialist. Current position: Research Operations Manager, Southeastern Biosafety Laboratory Alabama Birmingham | foxdm@uab.edu

Sam Berry, Postdoctoral Fellow. Current position: Analyst, Propel Bio Partners

Daniel Fines, Graduate Student. Current position: Regulatory Affairs PhD Fellow at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Noah Baker, MPH Student. Current position: Graduate student in bioinformatics at UCSF

Ronald Rodriguez, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow at J. Craig Venter Center

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

Emelliah Vaught, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Staff Research Associate at UCSD

Heyuan (Michael) Ni, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Graduate student in bioengineering at MIT

Thomas Kouyate, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Research Associate at Boston Children’s Hospital

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