CURRENT POSITION                                                                                                                                           

University of California, Los Angeles

Graduate Student Researcher                                                                                                                                   2020 – Present

EDUCATION                                                                                                                                           

Ph.D. Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles                     2020 – Present

• Principle Investigator: Dr. Bennet Novitch

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles       2014-2018

• Spanish Minor

HONORS AND AWARDS                                                                                                                                      

Science Dean’s Prize Award, University of California Los Angeles                           2018

UCLA Grad Slam Semifinalist, University of California Los Angeles                         2024

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE                                                                                                                                   

Graduate Student Researcher (PI: Bennet Novitch, Ph. D.)                     July 2021 to Present

• Optimized a mosaic organoid model for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome
• Studying the development of the excitation/inhibition balance in the brain using the organoid model
• Characterizing the effects of MECP2 dysfunction on neurogenesis in the developing human brain

Staff Research Associate I, UCLA (PI: David Williams, PhD)                           2018-2020

• Using previously developed assays demonstrated that kinesin-2 has a role in basal body translocation in mouse IMCD3 cells
• Generated induced pluripotent stem cells from fibroblasts derived from skin biopsies of patients with diseases such as Usher Syndrome
• Characterized of mouse helical organ of corti cell lines through electron microscopy and immunofluorescence assays
• Maintained mouse colonies and bred mice with specific genotypes
• Dissected primary RPE from mice for studies including QPCR analysis

Student Researcher, UCLA (PI: David Williams, PhD)                                             2016-2018

• Developed an assay to measure vertical basal body movement using immunofluorescence and live cell imaging
• Studied the role of kinesin-2 in basal body translocation

• Studied role of ASAP1 in rhodopsin trafficking using immunofluorescence
• Studied rhodopsin trafficking in the cilium using immunofluorescence and live cell imaging
• Studied role of MYO7A in rhodopsin trafficking
• Optimized siRNA knockdown of KIF3A in mouse IMCD3 cells

PUBLICATIONS                                                                                                                                           

Abhishek Chadha, Stefanie Volland, Natella V. Baliaouri, Elaine M. Tran, David S. Williams (2019) The route of the visual receptor, rhodopsin, along the cilium. Journal Cell Science

Momoko Watanabe, Jessie E. Buth, Jillian R. Haney, Neda Vishlaghi, Felix Turcios, Lubayna S. Elahi, Wen Gu, Caroline A. Pearson, Arinnae Kurdian, Natella V. Baliaouri, Amanda J. Collier, Osvaldo A. Miranda, Natassia Dunn, Di Chen, Shan Sabri, Luis de la Torre-Ubieta, Amander T. Clark, Kathrin Plath, Heather R. Christofk, Harley I. Kornblum, Michael J. Gandal, Bennett G. Novitch (2022) TGFβ superfamily signaling regulates the state of human stem cell pluripotency and capacity to create well-structured telencephalic organoids. Stem Cell Reports

MEMBERSHIPS                                                                                                                                            

Society for Neuroscience                                                                                                        2020-Present

ISSCR                                                                                                                                 2023-Present

American Society for Cell Biology                                                                                     2018-2025

POSTER PRESENTATIONS                                                                                                                                

BSCRC UCLA Stem Cell Symposium                                                                             UCLA, CA, 2025 Modeling the Emergence of Neural Network Dysfunction in Rett Syndrome with Mosaic Organoids (Revised)

BSCRC UCLA Stem Cell Symposium                                                                                                                          UCLA, CA, 2024 Modeling the Emergence of Neural Network Dysfunction in Rett Syndrome with Mosaic Organoids (Revised)

ISSCR Annual Meeting                                                                                                      Boston, MA, 2023

Modeling the Emergence of Neural Network Dysfunction in Rett Syndrome with Mosaic Organoids (Revised)

CSHL Development and 3D Modeling of the Brain                   Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 2022 Modeling the Emergence of Neural Network Dysfunction in Rett Syndrome with Mosaic Organoids

UCLA JSEI Vision Science Retreat                                                           Lake Arrowhead, CA, 2019 The Requirement of Kinesin-2 in Basal Body Translocation

The Chemistry and Biology of Vision, FASEB                             Steamboat Springs, CO, 2019 The Requirement of Kinesin-2 in Basal Body Translocation

UCLA JSEI Vision Science Retreat                                                           Lake Arrowhead, CA, 2018 An Experimental Approach to Study the Role of Kinesin-2 in Basal Body Translocation

UCLA Undergraduate Research Poster Day                                                             UCLA, CA, 2018

An Experimental Approach to Study the Role of Kinesin-2 in Basal Body Translocation

*Awarded Science Dean’s Prize Award

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS                                                                                                                

Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA Training Program, Rose Hills Foundation                                UCLA, BSCRC, CA, 2025-2026

Full year of funding applicable to research, tuition, and expenses

Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA Training Program, Rose Hills Foundation                                 UCLA, BSCRC, CA, 2024-2025

Full year of funding applicable to research, tuition, and expenses

Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA Training Program                                                                      UCLA, BSCRC, CA, 2023-2024

Full year of funding applicable to research, tuition, and expenses

FASEB Travel Fellowship                                                                    Steamboat Springs, CO, 2019 Awarded $300.00 for travel costs

CAC Annual                                                         UCLA Community Service Commission, CA, 2017 Awarded $8,709.01 to fund the annual costs of Project Bruins Reforming Incarceration Through Education

CAC Annual                                                         UCLA Community Service Commission, CA, 2016 Awarded $9,201.55 to fund the annual costs of Project Bruins Reforming Incarceration Through Education

TEACHING                                                                                                                                          

Teaching Assistant, Drug Outreach and Promoting Awareness         December 2022 – June 2022

• Assisting undergraduates in developing educational presentations about drugs of abuse to present to high school students in the spring quarter
• Assisting undergraduates in researching how drug educations affects high school students
• Setting up site visits at high schools in the spring
• Assisting with analysis of data generated from site visits in the spring

Splash Teacher, UCLA SPLASH Event                                                                      April 2022

• Developed an engaging presentation explaining brain organoids to high school students
  • Presented twice and assisted with event coordination

Undergraduate Mentoring, Novitch Lab                                            October 2021 – Present

• Mentoring an undergraduate student as a COMPASS mentee with a goal of future employment as a technician
• Two undergraduate students currently employed as technicians post graduation

LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH                                                                                         

Volunteer, Cell Scholars, University of California, Los Angeles                       2022 – Present

• Assisted in managing social media accounts for the organization
• Presenting neuroscience focused workshops for high school students at our affiliated high schools
• Developing neuroscience workshops geared towards high school students
• Assisted with budget management
• Driving students to the university campus

Multiple Roles, Project Bruins Reforming Incarceration Through Education, 2014 – 2018 University of California, Los Angeles

• Executive Director,
• Managed the organization and oversaw all volunteers and board members. Coordinated events with other groups and ensured that board of directors was cooperating and discussing plans effectively. Applied for funding and coordinated with the university.
• Internal Director,
• Managed the internal affairs of the organization particularly involving recruitment and planning of specific events. Put all board members in contact with each other and led weekly meetings.
• All roles, volunteer,
• Tutored and mentored homeless, at risk, and incarcerated youth. Worked as site coordinator to help new and current volunteers and developed the curriculum for new sites.

Volunteer, Medical Experience Through Service and Healthcare,                          2015-2017 University of California, Los Angeles

• Planned health fairs and managed stations at local health fairs.
• Taught children at the Venice Family Clinic about nutrition through informational cooking lessons.