Principal Investigator

Sarah Stanley, PhD

Sarah received her BS in Chemistry from Trinity University and her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UCSF where she was a graduate student in Jeff Cox's lab. Sarah was a Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT in Deborah Hung's laboratory

Sarah joined UC Berkeley as a professor in the School of Public Health’s Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology Division in 2012. She now holds dual appointment with the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology in the Division of Immunology & Molecular Medicine.

sastanley [at] berkeley [dot] edu

 
 

Postdoctoral Fellows

Kayla Dinshaw

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

BS Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan
PhD Molecular & Cell Biology, UC Berkeley

I study how mycobacteria protect themselves from stressors produced by the host during infection. I'm also interested in developing new techniques for genetic screens in mycobacteria. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors playing tennis, running, and hiking.

Rishika Baral

Hometown: San Ramon, California

BS Neuroscience, UC Santa Cruz
PhD Biochemistry & Biophysics, Brandeis University

Hello! I'm Rishika and I got my PhD in Biochemistry from Brandeis Univeristy in Waltham, Massachussetts! During my PhD I got to dissect the mechanisms that bacteria use to protect themselves in changing environments, and now during my postdoc I am interested in studying how the host changes its metabolic patterns to counteract an infection. During my free time I like to bake, knit, read and hike!

Dipasree Hajra

Hometown: Kolkata, India

BSc Life Sciences, Presidency University,Kolkata, India
MSc Biotechnology, University of Hyderabad, India
PhD Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

I obtained my PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology. During my graduate studies, I focused on host-Salmonella interplay, and here I am interested in unraveling the host-pathogen infection and immune response dynamics during methylglyoxal stress as a joint postdoctoral fellow in Stanley and Portnoy labs.

 
 

Graduate Students

Nick Campbell-Kruger, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

BS Biology - Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stanford University

Nick graduated from Stanford University. He is a passionate microbiologist with a particular interest in mycobacterial cell wall structure and function. 

Alex Zilinskas, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Lyons, Illinois

BS Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago

I research the adaptive immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. I also am working on a screen for unknown virulence factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. When I'm not in the lab, I like to paint, read a good book, or just travel around the Bay Area.

Hannah Nilsson, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Glenwood Springs, Colorado

BA Biology & Chemistry, St. Olaf College

I am a joint PhD student in the Stanley and Cox labs where I study the mechanism of colony morphology switching in Mycobacterium avium and the impact of this reversible switch on virulence and antibiotic resistance. Outside of lab I am actively searching for ways to feed my whimsy from exploring the great outdoors in any and all forms to dancing the night away to good music. I am also a proud cat mother to my three year old rescue, Calypso.

Andrea Anaya Sanchez, Plant & Microbial Biology

Hometown: Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

BS Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de las Americas Puebla
MSc Innovative Medicine, University of Groningen

I was born and raised in Mexico, where I did my bachelor studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences. I then went to the Netherlands to do my master studies and absolutely fell in love with pathogenic bacteria. I actually think studying bacteria is one of the coolest things one can do. I came to UC Berkeley as part of my master studies and stayed in the Portnoy lab after that. I am now a joint PhD student in the Stanley and Portnoy labs where I study how bacteria have adapted to their host in order to succeed in infection. In particular, I am interested in the role of aldehydes in host-pathogen infection dynamics.

Carolina Agudelo, Infectious Diseases & Immunity

Hometown: Miami, Florida

BS, University of Florida

I'm Carolina and I received my Bachelor's in Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. I'm currently a second year grad student and a joint student between the Stanley and Wolf labs. I'm interested in the role the gut microbiome plays in the host's susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Isabel D. Lamb-Echegaray, Infectious Diseases & Immunity

Hometown: Zaraut, Spain

BS Biology, James Madison University

I am interested in the identification of correlates of protection to tuberculosis infection. More specifically, I study the mechanisms and development of vaccines and diagnostics for tuberculosis. When not in the lab, I enjoy doing outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and surfing. I also enjoy volunteering in programs that involve science, healthcare, and children.

Lillian Shallow, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: San Diego, California

BS Microbial Biology, UC Berkeley

I study wound healing and lung damage in the context of M. tuberculosis infection and treatment. I am also passionate about global scientific capacity building and increasing access to science education. Outside of lab, I enjoy country line dancing, dodgeball, and backpacking.

Scott Espich, Infectious Diseases & Immunity

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

BA Biology, DePauw University
MPH. Yale University

I became interested in host-pathogen interactions while working with a community health NGO in Nicaragua during the 2016 Zika pandemic. In the Stanley Lab, my research focuses on the immune response to diseases caused by intracellular bacteria. My recent research focuses on aldehydes— toxic byproducts of cellular metabolism — and the hypothesis that humans may have evolved to weaponize these destructive molecules against pathogens that invade our cells. Prior to joining the Stanley Lab, I worked at the FDA, where I studied immune correlates of vaccine induced protection against the bacterial pathogen, Francisella tularensis. Outside of lab, I like to swim, cook, take care of my many plants, and spend time with friends.

Sydnee Gould, Molecular & Cell Biology

Hometown: Lawrenceville, New Jersey

BS, Rowan University

I was born, raised, and received my undergraduate education in New Jersey. Prior to graduate school, I spent two years at the NIH where I solidified my love for high containment research working on SARS-CoV-2. I moved to Berkeley to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) alongside other talented students and faculty. My project aims to better understand Mtb dissemination to extrapulmonary sites with a special interest in the brain. During my free time, I love trying new restaurants in the area, thrifting, and watching TV with my cats.

 
 

Staff

Amir Balakhmet, Lab Manager & Helpful Elf

Hometown: Almaty, Kazakhstan

B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology - Immunology & Molecular Medicine, UC Berkeley
B.A. Statistics, UC Berkeley

Hello! I recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a double major in immunology and statistics. Previously I worked in the Harris Lab studying the memory B cell response to dengue virus infection in a pediatric cohort in Managua, Nicaragua. I’m currently working on profiling the T cell response to tuberculosis infection in a pediatric cohort in Uganda and validating several diagnostic schema in mice. Additionally, I manage the operations of the UC Berkeley (A)BSL3 facilities and assist researchers in the lab with their projects and experiments. In my spare time I love to cook, bake, and hike!

amir [dot] balakhmet [at] berkeley [dot] edu

 
 

Master’s Students

Alma Ngwa Ebot, Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology

B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Buea Cameroon
MPH. Health Systems Management, University of Buea Cameroon

I am currently pursuing an MPH in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. I also hold degrees in Health Systems Management and Medical/Clinical Laboratory Sciences. I have led impactful initiatives in tuberculosis control in Cameroon and emergency preparedness and outbresk response to cholera, COVID-19, hepatitis B and other infectious diseases in underserved communities plagued by armed conflict. I have conducted research on vaccination drivers in conflict-affected areas. I am passionate about advancing infectious disease and immunology research while addressing critical gaps in health systems to enhance global outbreak preparedness.

 
 

Undergraduates

Angela Garay

Hometown: Sacramento, California

In Progress: B.S Chemical Biology, UC Berkeley

I am a second-year Chemical Biology major at UC Berkeley. I am interested in pharmaceutical sciences and drug development. In my free time, I love to crochet, watch romance movies, and go to concerts.

Caelum Santos

Hometown: Sacramento, California

In Progress: B.S. Microbial Biology; B.A. Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies, UC Berkeley

Hello! I am a second-year student at UC Berkeley studying Microbiology and Asian Diaspora Studies. My academic journey has been driven by interests in pathology and making strides in increasing access to healthcare. I am especially passionate about pharmaceutical sciences and health equity. Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time with friends/family, getting good matcha, meeting new people, and thrifting!

Madison Eugenio

Hometown: Manila, Philippines

In Progress: B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology, UC Berkeley

Hello! I'm Madison and I'm currently a second year studying MCB and Public Health. I am interested in the intersection between neuroscience and immunology. In my free time, I dance, go cafe-hopping, and collect figurines!

Lan Mai

Hometown: Burbank, CA

In Progress: B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology, UC Berkeley

I’m a fourth year majoring in MCB Immunology and Molecular Medicine with interest in research regarding immune cell drivers and preventative treatments for disease. Learning about effects of infectious disease and understanding the underlying mechanisms causing harm is interesting to me in order to understand the best plan of treatment. Outside of the lab I enjoy going to workout classes, going on walks, watching rom coms and trying new cafes.

Sung Yoon Kyle Choi

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

In progress: B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology

Hi! I’m Sung Yoon (or Kyle - whichever you prefer). I’m a rising junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology, originally from Seoul, South Korea. I’m especially interested in immunology, particularly how the immune system responds to infectious and autoimmune diseases. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing and watching sports (soccer), cafe hopping, and exploring shops around the city!

 
 

Lab Alumni

Helia Samani, Staff Research Associate. Current position: Senior Program Assistant, National Academy of Medicine

Douglas Fox, Assistant Specialist. Current position: Research Operations Manager, Southeastern Biosafety Laboratory Alabama Birmingham

Sam Berry, Postdoctoral Fellow. Current position: Analyst, Propel Bio Partners

Daniel Fines, Graduate Student. Current position: Regulatory Affairs PhD Fellow at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Noah Baker, MPH Student. Current position: Graduate student in bioinformatics at UCSF

Ronald Rodriguez, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow at J. Craig Venter Center

Ira Jain, Postdoctoral Fellow. Current position: Scientist, TScan Therapeutics Inc | ijain@nevada.unr.edu

Marietta Ravesloot-Chavez, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Davis

Sagar Rawal, Staff Research Associate.

Robyn Jong, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Scientist at Vir biotech

Erik Van Dis, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stetson Lab, University of Washington.

Matthew Knight, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.

Alexander Baltodano, Staff Research Associate. Current position: Medical School, UC Davis

Katie Lien, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Urdhal Lab, Seattle Children’s

Sorel V Ouonkap Yimga, Staff Research Associate. Current position: Graduate Student at Brown University.

Kimberly Sogi, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow. Current position: Manager of Research Operations, Vir Biotechnology

Jonathan Braverman, PhD, Graduate Student. Current position: Principal Investigator, Innovative Genomics Institute, UC Berkeley

Danielle Pedersen, MS. Graduate Student. Current position: Physician’s Assistant Masters program, Stanford University

Laura Flores, Lab Manager. Current position: Director of High-Containment Laboratories at UC Berkeley

Gwen Davis, Lab Manager.  Current position: Internal Medicine Resident, UCLA

 

Former Undergraduates

Cielo Celeste Kwon, Undergraduate Researcher.

Nabila Siddiqui, Undergraduate Researcher.

Vicky Wu, Undergraduate Researcher.

Alina Huang, Undergraduate Researcher.

Malia Wilson, Undergraduate Researcher.

Emelliah Vaught, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Staff Research Associate at UCSD

Heyuan (Michael) Ni, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Graduate student in bioengineering at MIT

Thomas Kouyate, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Research Associate at Boston Children’s Hospital

Vivian Bui, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: MPH student in Epidemiology/Biostatistics at UC Berkeley | vpbui@berkeley.edu.

Xammy Nguyenla, BS, Undergraduate Researcher, Staff Research Associate. Current position: MD/PhD student at OHSU.

Kiran Magee, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Medical School, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.

Lily McCann, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Clinical Research Associate at Vitalant Research Institute

Katherine Chen, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Epidemiologist at California Department of Public Health

Robert Potter, Undergraduate Researcher. Current position: Clinical & Public Health Microbiology Fellow at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis