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
Postdoctoral Fellows
Kayla Dinshaw
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
BS Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan
PhD Molecular & Cell Biology, UC Berkeley
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.
Rishika Baral
Hometown: San Ramon, California
BS Neuroscience, UC Santa Cruz
PhD Biochemistry & Biophysics, Brandeis University
Hello! I'm Rishika and I got my PhD in Biochemistry from Brandeis Univeristy in Waltham, Massachussetts! During my PhD I got to dissect the mechanisms that bacteria use to protect themselves in changing environments, and now during my postdoc I am interested in studying how the host changes its metabolic patterns to counteract an infection. During my free time I like to bake, knit, read and hike!
Graduate Students
Nick Campbell-Kruger, Molecular & Cell Biology
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
BS Biology - 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, Molecular & Cell Biology
Hometown: Lyons, Illinois
BS 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, Molecular & Cell Biology
Hometown: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
BA Biology & 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, Plant & Microbial Biology
Hometown: Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
BS 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.
Carolina Agudelo, Infectious Diseases & Immunity
Hometown: Miami, Florida
BS, 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.
Lillian Shallow, Molecular & Cell Biology
Hometown: San Diego, California
BS 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.
Scott Espich, Infectious Diseases & Immunity
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
BA Biology, DePauw University
MPH. Yale University
I became interested in host-pathogen interactions while working with a community health NGO in Nicaragua during the 2016 Zika pandemic. In the Stanley Lab, my research focuses on the immune response to diseases caused by intracellular bacteria. My recent research focuses on aldehydes— toxic byproducts of cellular metabolism — and the hypothesis that humans may have evolved to weaponize these destructive molecules against pathogens that invade our cells. Prior to joining the Stanley Lab, I worked at the FDA, where I studied immune correlates of vaccine induced protection against the bacterial pathogen, Francisella tularensis. Outside of lab, I like to swim, cook, take care of my many plants, and spend time with friends.
Isabel D. Lamb-Echegaray, Infectious Diseases & Immunity
Hometown: Zaraut, Spain
BS 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.
Sydnee Gould, Molecular & Cell Biology
Hometown: Lawrenceville, New Jersey
BS, 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.
Staff
Amir Balakhmet, Lab Manager & Helpful Elf
Hometown: Almaty, Kazakhstan
B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology - Immunology & Molecular Medicine
B.A. Statistics
Hello! I recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a double major in immunology and statistics. Previously I worked in the Harris Lab studying the memory B cell response to dengue virus infection in a pediatric cohort in Managua, Nicaragua. I’m currently working on profiling the T cell response to tuberculosis infection in a pediatric cohort in Uganda, as well as assisting researchers in the lab with projects and experiments. In my spare time I love to cook, bake, and hike!
amir [dot] balakhmet [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Undergraduates
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.
Alina Huang
Hometown: Castro Valley, California
In Progress: B.A. Public Health, UC Berkeley
Hello! I am currently a 4th year at UC Berkeley studying Public Health. I am interested in understanding the mechanism of protective immunity. Outside of lab I enjoy hiking, thrifting, and going to concerts.
Madison Eugenio
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
In Progress: B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology, UC Berkeley
Hello! I'm Madison and I'm currently a second year studying MCB and Public Health. I am interested in the intersection between neuroscience and immunology. In my free time, I dance, go cafe-hopping, and collect figurines!
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, California
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.
Caelum Santos
Hometown: Sacramento, California
In Progress: B.S. Microbial Biology; B.A. Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies, UC Berkeley
Hello! I am a second-year student at UC Berkeley studying Microbiology and Asian Diaspora Studies. My academic journey has been driven by interests in pathology and making strides in increasing access to healthcare. I am especially passionate about pharmaceutical sciences and health equity. Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time with friends/family, getting good matcha, meeting new people, and thrifting!
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