Curriculum Vitae

CURRENT POSITION       

Graduate Student Researcher, University of California, Los Angeles

Laboratory of Dr. Bennett Novitch 2020 – Present

EDUCATION          

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

  • Principle Investigator: Dr. Bennet Novitch

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

  • Biochemistry Major
  • 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 (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 CSH, 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

  • Mentored an undergraduate student as a COMPASS mentee with a goal of future employment as a technician, currently a technician in the Novitch Lab
  • Three undergraduate students employed as technicians post graduation
  • Five out of five undergraduate students progressed to graduate and medical school

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,University of California Los Angeles  2014 – 2018

  • 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, University of California, Los Angeles                 2015-2017

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