Valerie Arboleda, MD PhD

I am a physician-scientist trained in human genetics, genomics and clinical pathology.

The overarching research goals in the lab is to integrate large-scale data sets to improve our biological understanding and clinical treatment of human disease. In no other time in human history do we have such rich biological and clinical data, the bioinformatics tools to explore these relationships on a large scale, and the molecular genetic tools to rapidly experimentally validate findings in model systems.

MEGHNA SINGH, PhD

Post-Doctoral Scholar

Meghna is originally from India and earned her PhD in Biological Sciences from CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology. The focus of her research was understanding the cardiac development and disease using the tiny, beautiful model zebrafish. After her PhD she worked as a Research Scientist at University of Washington,  maintaining a xenopus facility,  managing a lab and worked on developing an inducible CRISPR system to understand Spinal cord regeneration in Xenopus tropicalis. After a two-year maternity break ,  she returned to do post-doctoral research focused on understanding the role of chromatin modifier genes in neurodevelopment. In her free time she likes to try and cook new things, go on hikes, and enjoy time with her family.

NEERJA VASHIST, PhD

Post Doctoral Scholar

Neerja Vashist is from Houston, Texas, and earned her B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in 2017. She subsequently worked as a Research Technician for two years at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. with a focus on global health. She then went on to earn her Ph.D. in Genomics and Bioinformatics from the George Washington University in 2023. Her dissertation research focused on a poorly understood upper motor neuron disease called konzo. Konzo is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, with malnutrition and heavy dietary reliance on cassava high in cyanogenic glucosides implicated in the development of the disease. Specifically, Neerja investigated the role of the gut microbiome in modulating the development of konzo. She is presently a Postdoctoral Scholar where her research builds on the foundational work done in the lab using a multi-omics pipeline to study the effect of genetic mutations in gene ASXL1 on the transcriptome and epigenome. She loves to travel, cook, and do random DIY projects.

TARYN JAKUB

Post Doctoral Scholar

Taryn, originally from Toronto, completed her PhD degree in Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University. Her dissertation research focused on using fly models to investigate rare disease variants implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Building off of her human genetics background, Taryn is now a Post Doctoral Scholar focusing on genomic diagnostic test development. Taryn loves the California sun and exploring LA with her dog!

MICHAEL S. REYES

Visiting Graduate Student

Michael is a visiting MD-PhD student from the University of the Philippines. He is interested in using multi-omics tools to understand mechanisms of disease pathology. In his free time, he likes to watch TV shows and documentaries and go out for a run.”

AILEEN NAVA

PhD Student, Genetics and Genomics

Aileen grew up in a small beach town in Southern California where she first discovered her scientific prowess during a chance encounter with NASA astronaut, Barbara Morgan (read more here). Although Aileen currently has no plans of becoming an astronaut, this meeting was one of the events that inspired her to become a scientist. At UCLA, Aileen's goal is to identity disease-causing mechanics underlying neurodevelopmental disorders using stem cells, genetic engineering, and genomic analysis techniques. When she is not thinking about science, Aileen enjoys oil painting, visiting the ocean, reading, writing poetry, and learning to play the guitar and piano.

ANGELA WEI

PhD Student, Bioinformatics

I am a current UCLA Bioinformatics PhD student and have previously worked in Arboleda lab as an Staff Research Associate. My projects include analysis of lab-generated functional genomics data and also utilizing large public databases to study population-level genetics. In my free time, I enjoy trying new food spots and hiking.

SAMANTHA JENSEN

PhD Student, Genetics and Genomics

Sam is a fifth year Human Genetics PhD student. She is interested in the genetics of complex disease and is currently studying transcriptional adaptation in humans. She has also worked on gene expression differences in individuals with severe coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever). Originally from Utah, Sam received a Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics and minor in Computer Science from Brigham Young University and loves using computational approaches to study biological processes, especially neuropsychiatric disease. She enjoys art and music and was once a part of a jazz band!

KENNY QIAN

Graduate Student, Genetics and Genomics, MSTP Program

Kenny grew up on the east coast in Boston, MA and went to Northwestern University where he graduated with majors in Biology and in Integrated Science. In keeping with the pattern of heading west he is currently an MD/PhD student at UCLA with an interest in uncovering genetic mechanisms of diseases and discovering targetable genes. Outside the lab he enjoys rock climbing, trying to cook new dishes, swimming, and playing the violin.

Zahra Azhar

PhD Student, Gene Regulation, Epigenomics, and Transcriptomics , MBIDP

Zahra earned her B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Santa Cruz. Following her undergraduate studies, she worked for two years as a research technician at Caltech, specializing in proteomic assay development. At UCLA, Zahra is focused on uncovering the causal mechanisms of KAT6A syndrome at UCLA, utilizing stem cells and genetic engineering. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and crafting.

RASHMI PARKER

Undergraduate Researcher

Rashmi is a fourth-year Human Biology and Society Major. She enjoys learning about molecular lab techniques and investigating how mutations cause symptoms. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and cooking

PAYTON ZARCENO

Undergraduate Researcher

Payton is a third-year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major. She is currently interested in the clinical applications of methods-agnostic testing. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and eating scones.

Yaneth Perez

Undergraduate Researcher

Yaneth is a fourth-year Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Major with a minor in Global Health. I am interested in learning how to apply computational analyses to investigate Mendelian diseases to find potential clinical diagnostic tools and treatments. I am from Fresno, CA and outside of lab, I enjoy reading and trying out new cafes.

SYDNEY NGUYEN

Undergraduate Researcher

Sydney is a third-year Psychobiology major. She is interested in understanding disease pathology through genomic and proteomic-related research, and learning more about developing potential treatments in rare diseases. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, hiking in the LA area, and spending time with her family and her cat.

BETHANY CHOW

Undergraduate Researcher

Bethany is a third-year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major. She is interested in the form and function of chromatin modifiers, as well as their role in rare disease. In her free time, Bethany enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.

SAMANTHA SCOTT

Undergraduate Researcher

Samantha is a second-year Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major hoping to minor in Public Health. She is interested in exploring gene function, mutations in genetic diseases, and biological mechanisms at the micro-level. She hopes to eventually contribute to the development of new therapeutic treatments to aid in the improvement of public health. In her free time, Samantha enjoys trying new restaurants, going to concerts, hanging out with her family and friends, and thrift shopping!

LESLY LEAL

Undergraduate Researcher

Lesly is a fourth-year Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Major, originally from Fairfield, California. She is interested in researching genetic diseases in order to develop therapies that can eventually provide better healthcare treatments for people in underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, drawing, listening to music, and going out to eat with friends.

SUZY SARKISSIAN

Undergraduate Researcher

Suzy is a fourth-year Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major who was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently working on understanding the role of the gene ASXL1 in the development of Bohring-Opitz Syndrome (BOS), a rare genetic disorder. In her free time, she enjoys socializing with friends, traveling, and teaching dance.

SAWYER FINDLEY

Undergraduate Researcher

Sawyer is a third-year Computational & Systems Biology major with a concentration in Bioinformatics. He is interested in the fields of computational medicine and genetic engineering, hoping to apply both computational and therapeutic methods in a clinical setting. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing volleyball, laying out in the sun, and spending time with friends.