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
Zhenlan Yao
Zhenlan Yao is from Shanghai, China. She received her Ph.D. degree in Molecular Virology from Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University. During her Ph.D. training, Zhenlan focused on the exosome-mediated transmission of alpha interferon-induced antiviral activity into hepatitis B virus (HBV)-replicating hepatocytes. She is now a postdoctoral fellow in Li lab and investigating the role of interferon-induced host factors in viral inhibition and protection of the blood-brain barrier. Outside the lab, Zhenlan enjoys reading, sketching and watching anime.
Zhenlan Yao is from Shanghai, China. She received her Ph.D. degree in Molecular Virology from Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University. During her Ph.D. training, Zhenlan focused on the exosome-mediated transmission of alpha interferon-induced antiviral activity into hepatitis B virus (HBV)-replicating hepatocytes. She is now a postdoctoral fellow in Li lab and investigating the role of interferon-induced host factors in viral inhibition and protection of the blood-brain barrier. Outside the lab, Zhenlan enjoys reading, sketching and watching anime.
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.
LeAnn Nguyen
LeAnn is from Washington state, where she graduated with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. 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 graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, and in the Li lab, she studies the determinants of alphavirus sensitivity to ZAP. Outside of lab, LeAnn enjoys reading, going to concerts, and trying new places to eat.
LeAnn is from Washington state, where she graduated with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. 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 graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, and in the Li lab, she studies the determinants of alphavirus sensitivity to ZAP. Outside of lab, LeAnn enjoys reading, going to concerts, and trying new places to eat.
Serina Huang
Serina grew up in Taiwan and the US. She studied Chemical Engineering at UCSD and did undergraduate research in the Gaulton Lab before joining the Genetics & Genomics graduate program at UCLA in 2019. She is now studying TRIM25 cofactors and their roles in viral infection. Besides doing science, Serina loves learning languages, writing book reviews, watching silly anime, playing Animal Crossing™, and eating ice cream.
Serina grew up in Taiwan and the US. She studied Chemical Engineering at UCSD and did undergraduate research in the Gaulton Lab before joining the Genetics & Genomics graduate program at UCLA in 2019. She is now studying TRIM25 cofactors and their roles in viral infection. Besides doing science, Serina loves learning languages, writing book reviews, watching silly anime, playing Animal Crossing™, and eating ice cream.
Rotating graduate students
Pablo Alvarez
After spending much of his life growing up in San Francisco, Pablo pursued his undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Human Biology and Chemistry. At UCSC, he worked in the Auerbuch-Stone lab investigating transcriptional regulation of the T3SS in pathogenic Yersinia. Pablo is now an incoming graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program under the IMMP home program. During his rotation, he will be aiding the Li lab elucidate mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 antagonism of the host IFN and NFkB pathways. Aside from his interests in science, Pablo enjoys practicing martial arts, dancing, and the company of his cat, Beni, and his snake, Udon.
After spending much of his life growing up in San Francisco, Pablo pursued his undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Human Biology and Chemistry. At UCSC, he worked in the Auerbuch-Stone lab investigating transcriptional regulation of the T3SS in pathogenic Yersinia. Pablo is now an incoming graduate student in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program under the IMMP home program. During his rotation, he will be aiding the Li lab elucidate mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 antagonism of the host IFN and NFkB pathways. Aside from his interests in science, Pablo enjoys practicing martial arts, dancing, and the company of his cat, Beni, and his snake, Udon.
Undergraduate students
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.
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.
Sangeetha Ramachandran
Sangeetha was born in Chennai, India and raised in southern California. She is currently studying Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at UCLA, and is interested in studying the antiviral properties of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase (PARP) 4. When she is not in lab or studying, Sangeetha enjoys binging Netflix, reading novels, sleeping, and exercising.
Sangeetha was born in Chennai, India and raised in southern California. She is currently studying Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at UCLA, and is interested in studying the antiviral properties of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase (PARP) 4. When she is not in lab or studying, Sangeetha enjoys binging Netflix, reading novels, sleeping, and exercising.
Past members
Anh Phuong Luu, staff research associate, Fall 2017-Fall 2020, now applying to M.D./Ph.D. programs
Dana Franklin, rotating graduate student, Spring 2020, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Hung Ton-That
Edgar Perez, rotating graduate student, Fall 2019, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Dubinett
Angela Sun, undergraduate student and lab assistant, Fall 2017-Spring 2019, now a Ph.D. student in the UCLA Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program
Yixin Dai, CSST summer program student, Summer 2018, now a Ph.D. student in Tsinghua University, China
Jeff Chien, undergraduate student, Fall 2017-Spring 2018, now applying to medical schools
Melanie Dimapasoc, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Jerome Zack
Amara Thind, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Bradley
Dana Franklin, rotating graduate student, Spring 2020, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Hung Ton-That
Edgar Perez, rotating graduate student, Fall 2019, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Dubinett
Angela Sun, undergraduate student and lab assistant, Fall 2017-Spring 2019, now a Ph.D. student in the UCLA Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program
Yixin Dai, CSST summer program student, Summer 2018, now a Ph.D. student in Tsinghua University, China
Jeff Chien, undergraduate student, Fall 2017-Spring 2018, now applying to medical schools
Melanie Dimapasoc, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Jerome Zack
Amara Thind, rotating graduate student, Spring 2018, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Bradley
