The PI
Melody Li, Ph.D.
Melody, a native of Hong Kong, received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from University of California, Irvine in 2006 and Ph.D. in Microbiology from University of Washington, Seattle in 2011. As an undergrad, she trained with Dr. Bert Semler and ventured into the fascinating world of host-virus interactions. Melody then studied with Dr. Michael Emerman, where she elucidated the functional consequences of human polymorphisms in the antiviral APOBEC3H gene. Melody subsequently completed her postdoctoral work with Dr. Peggy MacDonald and Dr. Charlie Rice at Rockefeller University where she focused on the antiviral mechanisms and regulation of the host interferon response targeting alphaviruses and flaviviruses. She started her own lab at UCLA in fall 2017 to continue studying the mechanism of ZAP/PARP13, a broad-spectrum antiviral ISG, and other members of the poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) family. When she is not doing science, she enjoys hiking, camping and swimming in the ocean.
Melody, a native of Hong Kong, received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from University of California, Irvine in 2006 and Ph.D. in Microbiology from University of Washington, Seattle in 2011. As an undergrad, she trained with Dr. Bert Semler and ventured into the fascinating world of host-virus interactions. Melody then studied with Dr. Michael Emerman, where she elucidated the functional consequences of human polymorphisms in the antiviral APOBEC3H gene. Melody subsequently completed her postdoctoral work with Dr. Peggy MacDonald and Dr. Charlie Rice at Rockefeller University where she focused on the antiviral mechanisms and regulation of the host interferon response targeting alphaviruses and flaviviruses. She started her own lab at UCLA in fall 2017 to continue studying the mechanism of ZAP/PARP13, a broad-spectrum antiviral ISG, and other members of the poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) family. When she is not doing science, she enjoys hiking, camping and swimming in the ocean.
lAB Members
Anh Phuong Luu
Anh was born and raised in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. She graduated from UCLA in Summer 2017 with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. As a SRA in Li Lab, she is interested in studying Zika and other mosquito- borne RNA viruses. When not in the lab running experiments or studying, Anh enjoys going to the beach and stretching as well as sweating in her hot yoga classes.
Anh was born and raised in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. She graduated from UCLA in Summer 2017 with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. As a SRA in Li Lab, she is interested in studying Zika and other mosquito- borne RNA viruses. When not in the lab running experiments or studying, Anh enjoys going to the beach and stretching as well as sweating in her hot yoga classes.
Emily Yang
Hailing from southern California, Emily received her B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in 2017. As an undergraduate, she investigated the olfactory basis for skin-penetrating parasitic nematode host-seeking behavior in the Hallem lab. She is now a graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program with a concentration in Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis. Currently, Emily is studying TRIM25-dependent ZAP antiviral mechanisms by elucidating the role of ubiquitination in viral translation inhibition by ZAP. When not doing science, Emily enjoys serving at church, eating, reading and watching sci-fi, and sleeping.
Hailing from southern California, Emily received her B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in 2017. As an undergraduate, she investigated the olfactory basis for skin-penetrating parasitic nematode host-seeking behavior in the Hallem lab. She is now a graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program with a concentration in Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis. Currently, Emily is studying TRIM25-dependent ZAP antiviral mechanisms by elucidating the role of ubiquitination in viral translation inhibition by ZAP. When not doing science, Emily enjoys serving at church, eating, reading and watching sci-fi, and sleeping.
Angela Sun
Angela graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Biochemistry, and a minor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences in Spring 2018. She has an interest in studying the roles and functions of biomolecules, and has an obsession with the ocean! As a lab assistant and the webmaster of the Li Lab, Angela studies the antiviral effect of Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP) 4 and 9. Angela was born and raised in China, and enjoyed her college life in the States. When not doing labs or studying, she likes reading novels and going to Universal Studios.
Angela graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Biochemistry, and a minor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences in Spring 2018. She has an interest in studying the roles and functions of biomolecules, and has an obsession with the ocean! As a lab assistant and the webmaster of the Li Lab, Angela studies the antiviral effect of Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP) 4 and 9. Angela was born and raised in China, and enjoyed her college life in the States. When not doing labs or studying, she likes reading novels and going to Universal Studios.
Rotating graduate students
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LeAnn Nguyen
LeAnn is from Washington state, where she graduated with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington in 2016. As an undergraduate researcher, she studied plant-pollinator interactions, and as a lab technician at the UW, she investigated viral T-cell epitopes. She is currently a first-year graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, and as a rotation student in the Li lab, she will look at how ZAP interacts with different alphavirus proteins. Outside of science, LeAnn enjoys reading, going to concerts, and trying all the great food in LA. |
Undergraduate students
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Carlyn Wisherop
Carlyn is a Bay Area native studying microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics at UCLA. Her current interest is in studying synergistic activity between ZAP and TRIM25 when binding to RNA. Outside of the lab, Carlyn enjoys teaching CPR, creating playlists on Spotify, indulging her sweet tooth, and relaxing at the beach. |
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Christopher Liu
Chris grew up in the Bay Area before coming to UCLA in 2016 for his B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. Being in Dr. Li’s lab allows him to pursue studying ISG host factors that either inhibit or promote the growth of RNA viruses. In his spare time, Chris enjoys watching/practicing gymnastics, learning new cooking recipes, and spending time with friends. |
Past members
Melanie Dimapasoc, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D student in the laboratory of Dr. Jerry Zack
Amara Thind, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D student in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Bradley
Jeff Chien, undergraduate student, Fall 2017-Spring 2018, now applying to medical schools
Yixin Dai, CSST summer program student, Summer 2018, now applying to graduate schools
Amara Thind, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D student in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Bradley
Jeff Chien, undergraduate student, Fall 2017-Spring 2018, now applying to medical schools
Yixin Dai, CSST summer program student, Summer 2018, now applying to graduate schools
