Posts classified under: Alumni

Jenny Link Chen

Jenny Link Chen

I have been passionate about and committed to scientific research and education for several years. Currently, I am working in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Vallim, studying how bile acids, which are metabolites derived from cholesterol, interact with the body in health and disease. I received my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology under the excellent training of Dr. Karen Reue at UCLA. My doctoral thesis work focused on sex differences in obesity and related metabolic disorders. As a graduate student, I worked for the Undergraduate Research Center, helping students find research opportunities and convey their work to their peers. Because I enjoy communicating science to people of all ages, I volunteer at the Natural History Museum of LA County on weekends.

Goals:

By becoming a professor dedicated to both research and education, I aim to increase scientific literacy among our future generations, and further our understanding of human health.

Leonila Lagunes

I am from Southern California, born and raised. Earned my Bachelor of Arts in Applied Mathematics at California State University Fullerton. I received my PhD in Biological Sciences with a focus on computational biology from the University of California Irvine under the supervision of both Drs. Lee Bardwell (Developmental and Cell Biology) and German Enciso (Mathematics). My PhD dissertation focused on understanding protein regulatory mechanisms in cell signaling. We used both mathematical modeling and experimental analyses to understand how protein post-translational modifications influence protein activity.

Currently, I am working in Dr. Eric Deeds’ lab, studying the proteasome assembly from both a systems biology approach and an experimental one. My professional goals include pursuing a career as a research professor and both teach and conduct research.

When I am not in the lab, I spend time bullet journaling, creating stationary and taking care of my many houseplants. Having a highly interdisciplinary training, I hope to provide an inclusive and equitable environment for all students, including those with similar backgrounds and identities as my own.

Sada Boyd

Sada Boyd

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. Earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Bennett College of Women in North Carolina. I received my PhD in Applied Science and Technology with a concentration in Biosciences from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University under the supervision of Dr. Joseph Graves Jr. My PhD dissertation focused on the evolution of metal resistance in bacteria. I am currently working in the lab of Dr. Pamela Yeh, studying bacterial resistance to environmental stressors. In my free time, I enjoy learning new cooking recipes, doing yoga, and watching videos.

My professional goals include pursuing a career with combined teaching and research responsibilities. Having a unique experience as an AA woman in the field of Evolution, I hope to provide a diverse and inclusive environment for all students regardless of their background. I also hope to inspire the next generation of young scientists especially students from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

Nina Latcheva

Nina Latcheva

I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria and immigrated to America with my family when I was 8 years old. In 2011, I received my Bachelor’s in Genetics from Rutgers University while working in a Drosophila lab studying neurodegeneration. In 2013, I went on to do my PhD in Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. There I worked in the Marenda Laboratory using fruit flies to study epigenetic mechanisms in neuronal development. I came to UCLA in 2019 to work in the Geschwind Laboratory studying regeneration associated gene network interactions after neuronal injury.

My long-term career goals are to start an academic lab where I can contribute to research on epigenetic mechanisms in neuronal development and disease and also help mentor the next generation of scientists. I hope to provide an inclusive and comfortable environment that allows young researchers the confidence to explore the scientific method without fear or consequences of making mistakes.

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