Jesus Benitez
IMSD Trainee-Senior
Lab Group: Professor Singaram Lab
Major: Chemistry
Research: The Singaram lab is focused on developing novel and efficient compound chiral auxiliaries and catalyst derived from naturally occurring organic compounds. The prominence is working with heteroatom’s, organometallics and imine intermediates to test its efficiency in asymmetric reduction and asymmetric allylmetallation reduction.
Internships, Presentations, and Awards:
PREPARATION AND PHOTOCATALYC APPLICATIONS OF JANUS PARTICLES. Jesus Benitez, Xiongwu Kang, Shaowei Chen. University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2009 Society for the Advancement Chicanos Latinos and Native American in Science (SACNAS) . National Conference, Dallas, TX. Poster Presentation Undergraduate Symposia.
.
PREPARATION AND PHOTOCATALYC APPLICATIONS OF JANUS PARTICLES. Jesus Benitez, Xiongwu Kang, Shaowei Chen. University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2010 American Chemical Society, National Conference, San Francisco, Poster Presentation Undergraduate Symposia.
PREPARATION AND PHOTOCATALYC APPLICATIONS OF JANUS PARTICLES. Jesus Benitez, Xiongwu Kang, Shaowei Chen. University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2010 , 139th American Chemical Society, National Conference, San Francisco, Poster Presentation Sci-Mix Symposia.
PREPARATION AND PHOTOCATALYC APPLICATIONS OF JANUS PARTICLES. Jesus Benitez, Xiongwu Kang, Shaowei Chen. University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2010 2YC3 regional conference, Community College San Francisco. Poster Presentation- Undergraduate Symposia
CREATING A FUN AND STIMULATING CLASSROOM ENVIROMENT. Jesus Benitez, Karen Tanner, Jose Cabrera, Madeline Adamckeski. 2009. Multimedia and Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching, National Conference. San Jose,CA. Oral Presentation .
ACCESS SUMMER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, University of California Santa Cruz, June 21- August 13th, 2009.
ACCESS SUMMER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, University of California Santa Cruz, June 22nd – August 13th 2010.
Vascular Biology- Short Term Training Program. June 1st- August 6th, 2011
Walter Bogdanoff
IMSD Trainee - Junior
Lab Group: Barry Bowman Lab
Major: MCD Biology
Research: Calcium is involved in many important processes in the cell. In Neurospora crassa, the cax like genes named cxl genes 1-7 are assumed to be involved in allowing access of calcium in to different parts of the cell. Mutations in only individual cxl genes do not present any change on the phenotype of the cells. therefore we are working on crossing single mutants into triple mutants carrying cxl1- cxl2- and cxl3- in order to see if we can observe any visible changes on the phenotype and growth of the cells. This could help us see if these genes play a role in calcium flow in the cell.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Travel Award from SACNAS, IMSD summer rotations, NIH/ Science Scholars CCSF/SFSU (Research at San Francisco State University)
|
Jesus Ceja IMSD Trainee-Senior Lab Group: Professor Ted Holman Lab Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
|
Research: The Holman Lab concentrates on an enzyme named Lipoxygenase which is found in Internships, Presentations, and Awards: IDENTIFYING AMINO ACIDS IN DIKETOPIPERAZINES AND TRIPEPTIDES. Jesus Ceja, Christopher Gomez, Kalkadain Asrat, Annalyse Bigatti, Phil Crews. The University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2010 Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium. Aug. 20, 2010. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA. Poster Presentation. MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Research Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 25 - August 21, 2010. |
Eric Curiel
IMSD Trainee - Junior
Lab Group: Professor Barry Sinervo Lab
Major: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Research: One of the projects for the Sinervo lab is to study how climate change is increasing the extinction rates of lizards.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Indentifying Stem Cell Lines by Morphology and Gene Expression. Eric Curiel, Oscar Fernandez, Amy Ralston. UC Santa Cruz, Undergraduate Summer Symposium. Santa Cruz, CA 95064. August, 12 2011.
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Reaserach Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 20 - August 12, 2010
Oscar Fernandez
IMSD Trainee-Senior
Lab Group: Dr. Saltikov’s lab
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: Saltikov’s investigates the molecular biology of microbial processes controlling the fate and transport of arsenic in the environment. By converting the chemical form of arsenic found in soil and sediments, naturally occurring microbes have been shown to exacerbate arsenic contamination of ground water, resulting in serious health crises in Asia and Latin America. Data from the Saltikov laboratory are designed to help devise strategies to ameliorate contamination of drinking water.
Internships, Presentations, and Awards:
Society for the Advancement Chicanos Latinos and Native American in Science (SACNAS) National Conference travel Scholarship, San Jose, CA 95113. October 2011.
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Research Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 25 - August 21, 2011.
REU Summer Research Internship. Dr. Drath. California State University- Fullerton June – August 2010
Identifying Stem Cell Lines by Morphology and Gene Expression, Oscar Fernandez, Eric Curiel. Society for the Advancement Chicanos Latinos and Native American in Science (SACNAS) National Conference, San Jose, CA 95113. October 2011.
Identifying Stem Cell Lines by Morphology and Gene Expression, UC Santa Cruz, Undergraduate Summer Symposium. Santa Cruz, CA 95064. August 2011
Role of lung fibroblasts in Tumor Cell Growth and Metastasis, CSU- Fullerton, Research Experience for Undergraduate Symposium. Fullerton, CA 92831. August 2009
Abraham Gutierrez
IMSD Trainee -
Lab Group: Barry Bowman Lab
Major: Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
Research:
Internships/ Presentations:
2010 California State University of Long Beach. Research on halophilic microorganisms. Bridges to the Baccalaureate.
2011 Power point "Changes in Microbial Extra-cellular Enzyme Activity Across a fire Chronosequencein an Alaska Boreal Forest"University of California, Irvine. Minority Science Programs, research presentation.
2010 Poster "Classififcation of Halophiles Isolated from Hypersaline Environment in Baja California, Mexico." CSULB Bridges Symposium Poster Session. California State University, Long Beach. Long Beach, California
Awards:
Natalia Herrera
IMSD Trainee - Sophomore
Lab Group: Victoria Auerbuch Stone Lab
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: The type 3 secretion system (T3SS) in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is recognized by the immune system of host cells. This recognition of the T3SS leads to activation of the NFkB transcription factor in the cytosol of the host cell. This means that NFkB is an indicator of the host cell's detection of the T3SS. We want to know what Y. pseudotuberculosis molecules are important in triggering NFkB activation in the host cell. For this reason, our lab is carrying out a transposon mutant screen to identify Y. pseudotuberculosis mutants with defects in triggering NFkB activation. My project is to determine where in the genome of each identified Y. pseudotuberculosis mutant the inserting transposons are located. This will be done using inverse PCR. This information will tell us which genes are important in the recognition of the Y. pseudotuberculosis T3SS. These genes will be analyzed to see if they contribute in inducing NFkB activation in the host cell.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
SELF-TOLERANCE SCREENING IN THE THYMUS ELIMINATES MHC I H-2Kb SPECIFIC T CELLS IN THE PRESENCE OF H-2Kb. Vong Sok, Natalia Herrera, George Capps, Max Caccese, Gordon Tam, Barri Nazzario, Martha Zuniga. The University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA.
2011 Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium. Aug. 12, 2011. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA. Poster Presentation.
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Research Experenice. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 20 - August 12, 2011.
Frank Leon
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Professor Giacomo Bernardi Lab
Major: Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Research: My current project is investigating genetic connectivity of populations of coronet fish (Fistularia commersoni) on a global scale. We're interested in determining the amount of larval exchange occurring between populations as well as determining the spatial scale at which groups of individuals are genetically differentiated. To address these interests I will be sequencing the mitochondrial marker (D-Loop), and investigating nucleotide changes that have accumulated in groups of coronet fish over time.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Xiang Li
IMSD Summer Institute Trainee-Senior
Lab Group: Nader Pourmand
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: Nader Pourmand’s biosensors and biotechnology group is interested in developing novel nanotechnologies for sensitive biomolecule detection. I am currently researching on the multiplexed detection of cancer proteins using magnetic nanoparticles assay. The goal of this project is to demonstrate sensitive and rapid screening of cancer proteins in serum, cell lysate, and whole blood. One of the major advantages of this platform is that signal response exclusively depends on the presence of magnetic nanoparticles, excluding noise from all non-specific protein interferences. In addition, this method of protein detection is less invasive and more sensitive in whole blood than conventional assays.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Detection of HPV Proteins by STING Sensor. Xiang Li, Adam Rogers, Paolo Actis, Nader Pourmand. The University of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2010 Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium, Aug. 20, 2010. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA. Poster Presentation.
Paolo Actis, Boaz. Vilozny, Adam Ronald Seger, Xiang Li, Marguerite Rinaudo, Nader Pourmand. Voltage controlled copper binding on a biomimetic STING sensor. Langmuir 27(10):6528-6533, 2011.
Single Cell Immunoassay. Xiang Li, Adam Rogers, Paolo Actis, Nader Pourmand. The University of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 14th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, June 2, 2011. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA. Poster Presentation.
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Research Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 20 - August 12, 2011.
Mitchell Lienemann
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Hartzog Lab
Major: Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
Research: The effects of mutagenesis of the RPB1 domain in RNAPII towards transcription elongation
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Reaserach Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 20 - August 12, 2010
Bridges to the Baccalaureate, Allan Hancock College June 2009-September 2009
Determining the Interactions of Spt5 KOW Domains With RNAPII. Mitchell Lienemann, Lon Ogunduyile, Grant Hartzog. UC Santa Cruz, Undergraduate Summer Symposium. Santa Cruz, CA 95064. August, 12 2011.
Jessica Macias
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Dr. Carrie Partch Lab
Major: Chemistry
Research: To identify the signal components in signal transduction?that's shared between the circadian clock and DNA damage checkpoint response and to understand how disruption of the clock regulates?oncogenesis.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Jose Martinez
IMSD Trainee - Junior
Lab Group: Pradip Mascharak
Major: Chemistry
Research: For the past couple of years the medicinal properties of CO have been investigated and results have proven that it can work as a vasorelaxant, anti-inflamatory agent, and anti-apoptosis among others. I am currently researching on the design and synthesis of photoinduced carbon monoxide releasing molecules(CORM's). The goal of the project is to design and successfully synthesis a photoinduced CORM that is activated at lower wavelength allowing for a controlled release of CO at visible light.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Lon Ogunduyile
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Hartzog Lab
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Research: Spt5 is large multi-domain protein that is a member of a universally conserved family of transcription elongation factors that are essential for life. Spt5 contains an acidic N-terminus, NGN domain, followed by five KOW domains and a set of C-terminal repeats. We are expressing recombinant proteins comprised of single or multiple linked KOW domains of Spt5 and tested their ability to bind purified RNA polymerase II in vitro. To do this, primers were used to cut the KOW domains and inserted into the PET24b vector.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Mitchell Lienemann, Lon Ogunduyile, Grant Hartzog. University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2011 Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium. August 12, 2011.
Poster Presentation
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Research Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 20 - August 12, 2011.
Gerardo Perez
IMSD Trainee - Junior
Lab Group: Bernardi Lab
Major: Molecular, Cell and Development Biology
Research:The focus of my project is investigating genetic connectivity of populations of coronet fish (Fistularia commersoni) on a global scale. We're interested in determining the amount of larval exchange occurring between populations as well as determining the spatial scale at which groups of individuals are genetically differentiated. To address these interests I will be sequencing the mitochondrial marker cytochrome oxidase I and investigating nucleotide changes that have accumulated in groups of coronet fish over time.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
ACCESS Summer Research Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 13–August 12, 2011
Synthesis of vibrio cholerae biofilm inhibitors. Gerardo Perez, Brian León, Roger G. Linington. The University of California of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA. 2011 Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium. Aug. 12. 2011. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz. Poster Presentation.
Marcelo Quiroz
IMSD-Senior
Lab Group: Saltikov Lab
Major: MCD Biology
Research: The lab I am working in investigates the molecular biology of microbial processes controlling the fate and transport of arsenic in the environment. We are interested in which bacterial genes are involved in these processes. My project will be helping to create a transposon mutagensis library containing thousands of different mutations. By using a screening process mutants will be compared to wildtype in their ability to grow on arsenic. Those mutants that differ from the wildtype will have their DNA sequenced and from this genes involved in these microbial processes can be further studied.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards
Andrea Quinonez - Rivera
IMSD Trainee- Junior
Lab Group: Dr. Amy Ralston Lab
Research: I am exploring the differences between IPS cells derived from tissues of different ages and searching for specific targets in aging pathways that may help in deriving IPS cells more readily and consistently.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Novartis Summer Institute and the UCSF Amgen Scholars Program.
Hector Ramirez
IMSD - Senior
Lab Group: Victoria Auerbuch Stone
Major: MCD Biology
Research: Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a bacterial pathogen that infects the human gut. Y. pseudotuberculosis uses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject six effector proteins into mammalian cells, where they act to disarm innate immune defenses. The T3SS of Y. pseudotuberculosis lacking the six effector proteins retains some activity against mammalian cells, as such strains trigger activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NFκB, as well as other immune signaling pathways. We hypothesize that this residual activity stems from injection of unknown bacterial molecules inside host cells through the T3SS. In order to identify the Y. pseudotuberculosis genes involved in T3SS- dependent NFκB activation, we developed a library of 4400 Y. pseudotuberculosis transposon mutants lacking the six T3SS effector proteins. We have screened all 4400 mutants for the ability to express a functional T3SS on Petri plates through use of the T3SS indicator dye congo red. In addition, we have screened approximately 1,000 transposon mutants for the ability to trigger NFκB activation in HEK293T NFκB-luciferase reporter cells. We have isolated eight transposon mutants with defects in T3SS-dependent NFκB activation and have determined the location of the transposon insertion for each. One such mutant harbors a transposon insertion in the TatB gene, a component of the Yersinia twin arginine translocation (TAT) system. The Y. pseudotuberculosis TAT secretion system was previously shown to be important for virulence, yet has not been linked to the T3SS. We are currently investigating the nature of the connection between T3SS-dependent NFκB activation and the TAT secretion system.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS ANTIGENS THROUGH THE USE OF ENZYME LINKED IMMUNOASSAY. Hector Ramirez, Luis Pimentel, Martha Zuniga. The University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2010 Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium. Aug. 20, 2010. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA. Poster Presentation.
MARC/IMSD/CAMP Summer Research Institute. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 25 - August 21, 2010.
Crystal Reynaga
IMSD - Senior
Lab Group: Professor Rita Mehta
Major: Marine Biology
Research: Vertebrates exhibit tremendous variation in body shape, though quantifying this diversity has been challenging. I am involved in a collaborative project with Dr. Rita Mehta and Dr. David Collar here at UCSC. We are developing a new metric of body shape, the Vertebrate Shape Index (VSI), which describes shape using morphological features common to all vertebrate taxa. Our study quantitatively describes body shape variation for a diverse sample of vertebrate taxa and highlights the relative importance of head length, second major axis (body depth/width), and vertebral characteristics as independent contributors to overall body shape diversity in vertebrates.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Romina Riener
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Professor Roger Linington Lab
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: The Linington lab’s objectives are twofold: drug discovery for neglected infectious diseases, and the use of natural products as probes for biological systems. Drug resistance to front line antibiotics is a pressing issue and there is a strong incentive to discover novel compounds which exhibit different modes of action against these drug resistant pathogens. The purpose of my research is to isolate and characterize novel bioactive compounds produced by marine derived microbiota.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego. June 13 – August 19, 2011
THE INVESTIGATION OF SYNECHOCOCCUS SENSITIVITY TO DIGESTIVE ENZYMES. Romina Riener, Brian Palenik. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA. 2011 UCSD Summer Research Conference. August 11, 2011. University of California, San Diego. San Diego, CA. Oral Presentation.
Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from the Fish Microbiome. Romina M. Riener, Laura M. Sanchez, Weng R. Wong, Chris Schulze. American Chemical Society Northern California Undergraduate Research Symposium. April 28, 2012
Donaldo Salas
IMSD-Senior
Lab Group: Strome Lab
Major: MCD Biology
Research: I am investigating the role of genetic modifiers in germline development and maintenance in C. elegans.
Emily Sales
IMSD Trainee -Junior
Lab Group: Dr. David Feldeimn Lab
Major: Neuroscience
Research: Use antibodies to localize proteins in the developing retina. Cryosection of eyes and use microscopes to analyze slices of retina.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Clarissa Tadeus
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Phil Crews Lab
Major: Chemistry
Research: My research deals with myxobacteria, which are Gram-negative unicellular bacteria that can produce biologically active secondary metabolites. The Crews Laboratory has been engaged in research to chemically isolate marine myxobacteria with the aim of discovering novel secondary metabolites of biomedical importance. Further investigation of these types of compounds, by this method, will yield insight to novel leads and potential candidates for future disease therapeutics.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium Poster Presenter University of California Santa Cruz - June 2, 2011 -- Discovery of Novel Secondary Myxobacterial Metabolites. Clarissa Tadeus, Yvette M. Vaske, and Phillip Crews.
Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium Poster Presenter - University of California Santa Cruz - August 12, 2011 -- Myxobacteria as a Resource for New Chemical Discoveries. Clarissa Tadeus, Yvette M. Vaske, and Phillip Crews.
SACNAS National Conference Poster Presenter SACNAS National Conference in San Jose California- October 27-30, 2011-- Myxobacteria as a Resource for New Chemcial Discoveries. Clarissa Tadeus, Yvette M. Vaske, and Phillip Crews.
Natalie Tomaszweski
IMSD Trainee- Senior
Lab Group: Professor Phil Crews
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: The Crews Lab aims to discover secondary metabolites harvested from fungi derived from marine sponges. My project consists of growing a particular fungal strain the produces a family of efrapeptins that have been known to inhibit ATPase activity and therefore halt the growth of cancer and tumor cells. Due to these compounds not being commercially available, I grow the strain on a large scale in specific conditions to optimize the production of these compounds, isolate them and test them against mutant ATPases to determine the molecular mechanism of inhibition. With better understanding of the inhibition mechanism, this may lead to an appropriate drug design for cancer patients.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Tyler Winters
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Rohinton Kamakaka Lab
Major: Biochemistry
Research: My research is working with known enhancer blocking insulators to optimize an existing transfection assay.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
Amgen Intern Summer of 2011
Elaine Zhang
IMSD Trainee - Senior
Lab Group: Professor Jarmila Pittermann
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: The Pittermann lab focuses on plant physiology and the hydraulics/water transport of different plant species. My current work is on characterizing a certain type of plant species called the lycophytes; which are the first ever species to have xylem in their structure and determining how they optimize water transport throughout their vascular system.
Internships/ Presentations/ Awards:
THE EVOLUTION OF OPTIMAL WATER TRANSPORT IN LAND PLANTS: XYLEM STRUCTURE IN A PRIMITIVE MODEL PLANT, HUPERZIA SQUARROSA. Elaine Zhang and Jarmila Pittermann. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. 2011
Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium. Aug. 12, 2011. University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA. Poster Presentation.
FERNS Summer Research Fellowship. University of California, Santa Cruz. June 20 - September 20, 2011.