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.
PostdocToral Fellows
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.
Graduate Students
LeAnn Nguyen
LeAnn is from Washington state, where she graduated with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. At the UW, she worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Imaizumi lab, where she studied plant-pollinator interactions, and a lab technician in the Koelle lab, where 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 eating, reading, bouldering, and organizing her MP3 library.
LeAnn is from Washington state, where she graduated with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. At the UW, she worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Imaizumi lab, where she studied plant-pollinator interactions, and a lab technician in the Koelle lab, where 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 eating, reading, bouldering, and organizing her MP3 library.
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.
Pablo Alvarez
Pablo was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned a B.S. in Human Biology with a minor Chemistry from UC Santa Cruz, where he also worked in the Auerbach-Stone lab investigating regulation of the Yersinia T3SS. Pablo is now a graduate student in the Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis home program. In the Li lab, he is identifying host factors that prevent or contribute to viral neuroinvasion. In addition to learning about brain viruses, Pablo enjoys practicing martial arts, dancing, and the company of his cat and ball python.
Pablo was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned a B.S. in Human Biology with a minor Chemistry from UC Santa Cruz, where he also worked in the Auerbach-Stone lab investigating regulation of the Yersinia T3SS. Pablo is now a graduate student in the Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis home program. In the Li lab, he is identifying host factors that prevent or contribute to viral neuroinvasion. In addition to learning about brain viruses, Pablo enjoys practicing martial arts, dancing, and the company of his cat and ball python.
Staff
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.
Ashley Tang
Ashley is from northern Florida. She is currently majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and minoring in Art History at UCLA. She is interested in studying the factors involved in viral neuroinvasion. Outside the lab and school, Ashley loves to read, draw, and play tennis.
Ashley is from northern Florida. She is currently majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and minoring in Art History at UCLA. She is interested in studying the factors involved in viral neuroinvasion. Outside the lab and school, Ashley loves to read, draw, and play tennis.
Undergraduate Students
Jules Girdner
Jules grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the East Coast. She is currently double-majoring in Biochemistry and Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA. Her research is focused on the ZAP antiviral mechanism. Outside academics, Jules plays on UCLA’s women’s rugby team and loves to try new foods, play board games, watch sports, and travel.
Jules grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the East Coast. She is currently double-majoring in Biochemistry and Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA. Her research is focused on the ZAP antiviral mechanism. Outside academics, Jules plays on UCLA’s women’s rugby team and loves to try new foods, play board games, watch sports, and travel.
Faith St. Amant
Faith was born and raised in Sonoma County in Northern California. She is currently majoring in Molecular and Cellular Developmental Biology and minoring in Biomedical Research at UCLA. She is interested in most things surrounding the biomedical sciences and, in the Li Lab, she is currently studying viral neuroinvasion and SARS-CoV-2. Outside of science, Faith finds joy in music, cooking, and spending time with close friends and family -- preferably all at the same time.
Faith was born and raised in Sonoma County in Northern California. She is currently majoring in Molecular and Cellular Developmental Biology and minoring in Biomedical Research at UCLA. She is interested in most things surrounding the biomedical sciences and, in the Li Lab, she is currently studying viral neuroinvasion and SARS-CoV-2. Outside of science, Faith finds joy in music, cooking, and spending time with close friends and family -- preferably all at the same time.
Rotating Graduate Students
Mohammad Alam
Mohammad was born and raised in Los Angeles at Cedars Sinai. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2021 with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. After graduating he did a post-bacc at UC Santa Cruz in the Sullivan lab investigating the effects of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility on Drosophila embryogenesis. Mohammad is currently a graduate student in the Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis home area and is conducting a winter rotation in the Li Lab validating host RNA binding sites for ZAP. Outside the world of science, Mohammad loves to go to the gym, binge watching shows, and exploring new places to eat in Los Angeles. Also he is a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan!!!
Mohammad was born and raised in Los Angeles at Cedars Sinai. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2021 with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. After graduating he did a post-bacc at UC Santa Cruz in the Sullivan lab investigating the effects of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility on Drosophila embryogenesis. Mohammad is currently a graduate student in the Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis home area and is conducting a winter rotation in the Li Lab validating host RNA binding sites for ZAP. Outside the world of science, Mohammad loves to go to the gym, binge watching shows, and exploring new places to eat in Los Angeles. Also he is a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan!!!
Martin Ruvalcaba
Martin is from Wilmington, the heart of the Los Angeles harbor. He graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, where he also conducted research as a member of the Aguilar-Carreño laboratory. Under Dr. Aguilar’s guidance, Martin studied the role of various paramyxovirus and coronavirus glycoproteins in viral fusion and entry into a host cell. As a graduate student, he hopes to continue studying the molecular mechanisms of diseases. Outside of academics, Martin enjoys reading, writing, and playing soccer.
Martin is from Wilmington, the heart of the Los Angeles harbor. He graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, where he also conducted research as a member of the Aguilar-Carreño laboratory. Under Dr. Aguilar’s guidance, Martin studied the role of various paramyxovirus and coronavirus glycoproteins in viral fusion and entry into a host cell. As a graduate student, he hopes to continue studying the molecular mechanisms of diseases. Outside of academics, Martin enjoys reading, writing, and playing soccer.
Past members
- Erin Kim, rotating graduate student, Fall 2022, now rotating in other BMSB labs
- Dylan Smock, rotating graduate student, Fall 2022, now rotating in other MBI labs
- Emily Yang, Ph.D. student, Summer 2018-Spring 2022, now an Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Biola University
- Kelly Aldana, undergraduate student, Winter 2020-Winter 2022, now applying to medical schools
- Gloria Bartolo, rotating graduate student, Fall 2021, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Elissa Hallem
- Ryan Kan, rotating graduate student, Spring 2020, now a Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Aparna Bhaduri
- Carlyn Wisherop, undergraduate student, Summer 2018-Fall 2020, now an M.D. student at Weill Cornell Medical College
- Anh Phuong Luu, staff research associate, Fall 2017-Fall 2020, now a Ph.D. student at UC Irvine
- 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 UCLA Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Elaine Reed
- Yixin Dai, CSST summer program student, Summer 2018, now a Ph.D. student at 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
