{"id":2069,"date":"2020-04-23T13:54:11","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T20:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/?page_id=2069"},"modified":"2020-04-25T15:18:28","modified_gmt":"2020-04-25T22:18:28","slug":"mcip-phd-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/ph-d-degree\/mcip-phd-students\/","title":{"rendered":"MCIP Ph.D. Students in IBP Labs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wpv-view-output\" data-toolset-views-view-editor=\"e7e09bf1b3da75d273940a0786be5fdc\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-toolset-views-view-editor \">\n\n\n<div id=\"wpv-view-layout-3570\" class=\"js-wpv-view-layout js-wpv-layout-responsive js-wpv-view-layout-3570\" data-viewnumber=\"3570\" data-pagination=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;3570&quot;,&quot;query&quot;:&quot;normal&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;disabled&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;disabled&quot;,&quot;stop_rollover&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;cache_pages&quot;:&quot;enabled&quot;,&quot;preload_images&quot;:&quot;enabled&quot;,&quot;preload_pages&quot;:&quot;enabled&quot;,&quot;preload_reach&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;spinner&quot;:&quot;builtin&quot;,&quot;spinner_image&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-views\/embedded\/res\/img\/ajax-loader.gif&quot;,&quot;callback_next&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;manage_history&quot;:&quot;enabled&quot;,&quot;has_controls_in_form&quot;:&quot;disabled&quot;,&quot;infinite_tolerance&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;max_pages&quot;:0,&quot;page&quot;:1,&quot;base_permalink&quot;:&quot;\/ibp2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2069?wpv_view_count=3570&amp;wpv_paged=WPV_PAGE_NUM&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;data&quot;:[],&quot;id&quot;:0}}\" data-permalink=\"\/ibp2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2069?wpv_view_count=3570\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2021\/10\/Ayala-Rosario-Shantee-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"Ayala Rosario, Shantee\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Shant\u00e9e Ayala Rosario<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (Minor in Chemistry, 2020) - Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayam\u00f3n<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Understanding how traumatic memories are embedded in the brain and impact sleep. Specifically how this occurs through norepinephrine influence in cortical brain regions to produce maladaptive stress responses.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/Cheng_Jenny-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Jenny Cheng<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Physiological Science (2022) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science (2020) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>I am interested in integrating multi-tissue multiomics data to dissect genetic and molecular perturbations in cardiovascular diseases via a systems biology approach. I am also interested in employing cutting-edge single cell techniques to further elucidate disease mechanisms at the cell level.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/Cheng-Mingjia-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"Cheng, Mingjia\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Mingjia Cheng<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Stomatology in Orthodontics (2018) - School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Dental Surgery (2015) - West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University in Chengdu, China<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>I am interested in exploring mechanisms of aging, healthspan, and longevity.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/06\/krystal.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"krystal\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Mirian Krystel De Siqueira<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Genetics and Molecular Biology (2019) - State University of Campinas, Brazil & National Institutes of Health<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (2016) - University Tuiuti of Paran\u00e1, Brazil & Rowan University<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>The adipocyte life cycle involves a complex and highly\u00a0orchestrated program\u00a0of gene expression. However, in vivo, detailed mechanisms underlying the\u00a0molecular\u00a0regulation are incompletely misunderstood.\u00a0 My major research interest relies on studying novel nutrient-sensing genes and whether\u00a0they have an impact on adipose tissue heterogeneity.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/Fachin-Jade-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Jade Fachin<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Physiological Science (2022) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (2018) - University of California, Merced<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>I am interested in pathological factors leading to degenerative extracellular matrices in muscular diseases. I am also interested in the biochemistry of misfolded proteins and general pathways leading to various neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/MCIP_Helzer4-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"MCIP_Helzer4\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Daniel Helzer<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Kinesiology- Exercise Physiology (2021) - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology- Exercise Science (2019) - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>My research interests primarily encompass mitochondrial function, skeletal muscle physiology, and more generally biophysics in a variety of states, including in the healthy, diseased, and aging individual. I am interested in investigating these factors ranging from the molecular level to a translational perspective.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/06\/pranav-kannan.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"pranav-kannan\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Pranav Kannan<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Physiological Science (2021) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Human Biology (2018) - Michigan State University<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Immune cell-matrix interactions in mouse models of muscular dystrophy<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/06\/sabeen-kazmi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"sabeen-kazmi\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Sabeen Kazmi<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (2012) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Uncovering the role of the microbiome in neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/Madani-Melika-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"Madani, Melika\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Melika Madani<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience (2021) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Studying how environmental- and experience-driven changes to neural networks contribute to production of complex behaviors in animals.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/08\/Palacios-Castillo-Lesly-1-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Lesly Palacios Castillo<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Biological Science (2019)- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biology and Zoology (2017)- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Olfactory and aminergic neuromodulation of visual circuits and behavior.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/221019_MED_0130-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Micah Ralston<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science (2021) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Mechanisms of musculoskeletal injuries and neurodegenerative diseases, and exploration of potential therapeutic interventions.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/04\/martha-rimniceanu-1-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"martha-rimniceanu\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Martha Rimniceanu<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Biology (2017) - Tufts University<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Neural control systems and circuits for visuo-motor integration.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/06\/norma-sandoval-1-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"norma-sandoval\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Norma Sandoval<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science (2015) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Elucidating the effects of hypothalamic estrogen signaling on thermoregulation and metabolic health.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2021\/10\/MCIP_Scott-Rachel5-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Rachel Scott<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Physiological Sciences (2020) - University of California, Los Angeles; Bachelor of Arts in Ethnomusicology (2020) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Studying sex differences in feeding behavior. Specifically, interested in how sex steroids, namely estrogens, and body composition act on the hypothalamus to modulate food intake.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/221019_MED_0227-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Celine Son<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Life Science and Biotechnology (2021) - Yonsei University, Republic of Korea<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>My research interest lies in investigating the circuit mechanisms of ASD behaviors and discovering circuit-based therapeutics.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/04\/ashley-stein-merlob-1-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"ashley-stein-merlob\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Ashley Stein-Merlob, MD<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Doctor of Medicine (2015) - Harvard Medical School<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Bioengineering (2009) - University of Pennsylvania<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Studying the use of computational modeling of cardiac mechanics to better understand the development and progression of heart failure in humans.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/Tripsas-Christina_2-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"Tripsas, Christina_2\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Christina Tripsas, MD<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Doctor of Medicine (2018) - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences<\/p>\n<p>Master of Arts in Clinical Investigation (2011) - Boston University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biology (2007) - University of San Francisco<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Investigating the immunologic implications of mechanical cellular stress and deformability.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2021\/10\/paul-vander-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"paul vander\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Paul Vander<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biology (2016) - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Studying neural control of torpor in mice. Specifically interested in how circulating hormones, particularly estrogens, interact with torpor-regulating neurons in the brain to modulate this process.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2021\/10\/Wong-David-scaled-e1633639759959-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"Wong, David\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>David Wong<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology (2020) - University of Washington<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Investigating the role of pericytes and epicardium-derived secreted factors in the cardiac remodeling process following ischemic injury in the adult heart.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/04\/MCIP_Zhang-Sicheng2-wpcf_133x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Sicheng Zhang<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><p>Master of Science in Biochemistry (2018) - Tulane University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Biological Science (2016) - Shandong Agricultural University, China<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>Nutrient sensing and physiology between adipocyte tissue and liver.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row \"> \n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12\"><div style=\"float:left; margin-right: 25px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/10\/Zhao-Yutian-Zoe-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-staff-list\" alt=\"\" title=\"Zhao, Yutian (Zoe)\" style=\"\" \/>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n  <strong>Zoe Zhao<\/strong>\n    <div class=\"graduate-degree\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"undergraduate-degree\" >Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science (2021) - University of California, Los Angeles<\/div>\n  \n  <table style=\"width:60%;\">\n    <tr>\n      <td width=\"100\"><strong>Thesis: <\/strong><\/td>\n      <td><span class=\"thesis-research\"><p>My research interests are sex differences in complex diseases and the study of cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases with integrative methods.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  \n  \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":90,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2069","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>MCIP Ph.D. Students in IBP Labs - Integrative Biology &amp; Physiology<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.lifesci.ucla.edu\/ibp2025\/ph-d-degree\/mcip-phd-students\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MCIP Ph.D. Students in IBP Labs - 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