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I am a developmental biologist as well as a pediatrician and clinical geneticist who is interested in translating an understanding of developmental mechanisms into medical advances. After completing the MD/PhD degrees and a pediatric residency, I chose the field of Medical Genetics for fellowship training, and I became interested in helping patients with rare diseases. Our lab uses mouse, zebrafish, organoid and cell culture models for understanding the development and renewal of dental and craniofacial structures and of the gastrointestinal tract. I view mentorship and teaching as integral components of my job, and I am committed to the success of the postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in our lab. I believe they are the future of biomedical research, and I strive to provide them with the strongest foundation possible on which to build their future careers. In addition to research, I have the privilege of serving as Executive Director of Guerin Children’s and Executive Vice Dean for Children’s Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where I lead efforts to build a premier child health enterprise. Outside of work, I enjoy listening to live music and venturing outside to go hiking, skiing, and swimming!
Evo-devo biologist by education, I earned my PhD from ENS de Lyon in France, before joining the Klein lab as postdoctoral scholar. Expanding my scientific horizons to stem cell biology, and to new technologies, I have been able to work in all the lab’s favorite systems, although rodent teeth still are my favorites! In 2020, I took on a leadership position becoming the new ‘research manager’ for the Klein lab, helping direct research operations for the group and mentoring newcomers to ensure their future scientific success, while continuing my own research (and currently focusing on dental regeneration). Outside of the lab, I am a fervent advocate of science education, and USA Team Handball Youth Indoor Women’s National Team Coach.
I am the Coordinator for the UCSF Program in Craniofacial Biology, and the Administrative Assistant to the Klein Lab. Growing up in the Bay Area, I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2022, majoring in Economics and Global Studies, with a minor in Chinese. With over five years of administration and event coordination experience, I bring detail-oriented professionalism, excellent verbal and written communication skills, high-quality organization, and a distinct academic and personal background to serve as an asset on my teams. Passionate about service, local and global, I look forward to advancing administrative research and operations, while building my career in healthcare administration, within UCSF’s commitment to global health. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, health and wellness, and exploring new places near and far.
I am a senior scientist in the lab who harnesses the power of induced/embryonic stem cells to model inflammatory bowel disease and understand early development. Before earning the coveted “Cell Whisperer” nickname in the Klein Lab, I received my PhD in Human Pathology & Genomics at the Mediterranean University of Medicine of Marseille, France. My research interest lies in understanding how major genetic pathways determine the normal and pathologic specification, differentiation, and morphogenesis of human stem cells in musculoskeletal and intestinal tissues. I am a dedicated Warriors’ fan, cheese lover and chocolate connoisseur, always on the search for THE perfect croissant!
I am an Associate Specialist in the lab. I received my Ph.D. from Tsinghua University, China and performed my postdoctoral research at USC in the Crump Lab. I have been working on zebrafish to study how patterns are established in both early germ layer and craniofacial skeleton. In the Klein lab, I continue to use zebrafish as a model to study tooth development. I have also turned to the mouse model to participate in a study on the importance of mechanical forces in tooth formation. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking and watching movies/dramas.
I earned my bachelor’s degree from JNTU University India, and subsequently pursued my passion for understanding how tools can be applied to biological systems by obtaining a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics from University Of Texas at El Paso in 2009. My professional journey began in August 2009 when I embarked on a role as a Bioinformatician at VUMC (Vanderbilt University Medical Center), where I delivered comprehensive bioinformatics consultation and support to the Genomic and Molecular Laboratory. Subsequently, I advanced my career by joining UCSF Institute of Human Genomics Core as a Senior Bioinformatician. In this role, I not only managed the bioinformatics team but also provided support to customers in the areas of data analysis, data interpretation, and scientific writing.
Additionally, I played a pivotal role in constructing a cutting-edge AWS pipeline, automating and scaling genomics workflows for clinical and research projects, specifically focusing on whole exome and genome analyses. Driven by a keen interest in the transformative potential of emerging technologies in biological research, I transitioned to Klein lab. Here, I leverage my extensive experience and expertise to contribute to projects involving gastrointestinal regeneration and various other developmental initiatives.
I trained in bioenergetic analysis as a graduate student at the University of Cambridge, where I investigated the redox reactions of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and as a post-doc, in Doug Wallace’s lab, when I studied mitochondrial biology using genetic mouse models of mitochondrial disease. We made a number of observations that suggested metabolic processes play an active role in development, so I became interested in Developmental Biology and joined Utpal Banerjee’s group at UCLA as a member of the Research Faculty. In this work, we used the mouse preimplantation embryo as an experimental model to understand the role of metabolism in early mouse development. I am now an Instructor at Cedars Sinai Medical Center working with Ophir Klein to develop in vitro models of early human development.
I am a postdoc, with a profound fascination for synthetic biology and genome engineering. I derive genuine joy from teaching the cells (or mice) new skills by modifying their DNA, as it provides fascinating insights into the workings of living organisms and offers the potential to create innovative solutions. Outside my scientific interests, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, discovering the diverse landscapes of California and beyond. Moreover, I nurture a fascination for history and a desire to uncover what the future holds.
I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Klein Lab, funded by the American Cancer Society. In my research, I am studying how cellular ‘neighborhoods’ within the small intestine are established and regulated throughout life to execute precise local functions. I came to the project with a long-term interest in epithelial tissue regeneration and patterning, which I previously studied in the context of lactation cycles in the mammary gland during my PhD work at Yale University. I enjoy exploring the beautiful surroundings here in Northern California during weekend hikes and adventures.
In a broad sense, I am interested in how organ shape and size are specified during development and regeneration. My fascination in developmental biology began while I was an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, where I studied bone formation in the zebrafish craniofacial skeleton. I then moved to Boston for my PhD at Harvard, where my research focused on the mechanisms regulating muscle cell patterning and alignment in the developing gut. Now, as a postdoc working jointly between the Klein and Gartner labs at UCSF, I am building off of my previous work to further understand how signals and forces are integrated to form the gastrointestinal tract, with the ultimate goal of applying this knowledge to engineer intestinal tissue ex vivo. You can catch me outside exploring Bay Area hiking trails, gettin’ down on the dance floor at a concert, producing music, or sipping a cold one at a local brewery.
I am a postdoc scholar in the Klein lab. I have slowly morphed from a skin biologist (PhD in skin fibrosis at inStem, India) into a developmental biologist by entering the “tooth” side of the lab. I am trying to decipher the mechanical forces underlying mouse incisor morphogenesis and enamel knot development. On the side I am also trying to understand how stem cell populations are maintained in adult tissues using vole molars. I am an active member of the lab running club and burrito club, and outside of lab, I enjoy playing board games and doing improv.
I am a Postdoc in the lab. Generally, I am interested in what defines a stem cell or instructs a cell to act as a stem cell, using the gut as a model system. I am currently trying to understand how mesenchymal signals shape crypts and drive the emergence of adult stem cells in the developing colon. I am also a sporadic member of the lab running club and love to hike and do anything crafty.
I am a postdoc working on the developmental dynamics of the intestine and teeth. Coming from computational background, my approach is to combine experimental data with computational modeling, using the models to both validate hypotheses and to generate predictions to further guide the experiments. My main focus at the moment is on the vascularization of the enamel organ during the molar enamel formation, aiming to reveal the dynamics that determine the shape of the enamel surface. In my free research time I also dabble with models of cell clustering. Outside the lab I like to escape to the deserts for hiking and camping.
I am one of the postdocs in the lab. I am intrigued by how adult tissues maintain their function through regenerative processes. My goal is to better understand tissue regeneration in order to both trigger tissue repair when confronted with injury and to harness this potential to develop functional tissues in the dish. I joined the lab after completing my PhD at Weill Cornell Medicine, where I worked on establishing a 3D model for vascularization of tissue explants and organoids. As a postdoc in the Klein lab, I am part of the “gut” group and am particularly interested in the role of the endothelial cell niche in intestinal regeneration. Outside of the lab I enjoy going to yoga, playing tennis and participating in the lab’s soccer club.
I earned my PhD in 2019 working from Seoul National University in Korea, studying the roles of mTORC1 signaling pathway in Drosophila eye development. Then I moved on to UCSF in 2020, as a joint post-doc between Ophir Klein’s and Jeff Bush’s lab. I am trying to discover novel genes with roles in mammalian craniofacial development, using forward and reverse genetics with mice. In one project I choose what genes to study in detail according to phenotypes observed, and in the other I generate mouse lines harboring variants found from human patients of rare genetic diseases and analyze them. Outside the lab I enjoy walking with my wife and the dog, playing computer games, and watching sports – both in the US and Korea (when I can overcome the time difference!).
I am a postdoc in the lab working in the gut group. I have always been fascinated by how our surrounding environment modulates our cells and health. In the lab, I am working on epigenetic mechanisms linking the microbiome and intestinal epithelial cells. Outside the lab, I enjoy doing and watching sports, partying and eating good food with my friends. I am also an active member of the lab soccer club.
I earned my PhD in biophysics from Johns Hopkins University. During my time there, I used quantitative fluorescence microscopy to study the thermodynamics of membrane protein interactions, focusing on receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Wanting to broaden my scientific knowledge and abilities, I came to UCSF as postdoctoral scholar in 2020 to work jointly in the Klein lab and Natalia Jura’s lab. My main project focuses on trying to understand the function of CNPY4, a poorly understood protein that we have found to affect limb bud development, SHH signaling, and cholesterol and sphingomyelin homeostasis. My time here has greatly expanded my understanding and appreciation for biology and biochemistry, both from a general and a technical standpoint, although I’m still interested in microscopy and the biophysics of membrane proteins.
I am a postdoc scholar in the lab. I was always interested in pathogenesis of diseases, and I was formerly working on liver fibrosis and skin diseases mouse models. Currently in the lab, I am trying to figure out the role of not well described protein, CNPY4, originally described in craniofacial development, but as the story evolved it led us to unexpected lands of cholesterol and sphingomyelin metabolism. Outside the lab I am mostly playing with my children, but sometimes I find time for painting and playing musical instruments. And I love hiking.
I’m a postdoc working in the Klein lab at UCSF. I am interested in the mechanisms that epithelial stem cells use to regenerate tissues and how these processes go wrong in diseases like IBD or cancer. During my PhD, I investigated these concepts in salivary glands and tumors known as Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas. In my postdoc project, I aim to understand whether intestinal stem cells remember exposure to inflammation, and how this alters their function in subsequent injuries. When I’m not in lab, I love to explore different neighborhoods in San Francisco, make art, and spend time in nature.
I’m an enthusiastic dentist-scientist. I earned my DDS from the West China School of Dentistry and a PhD in Oral & Craniofacial Biomedicine from UNC-Chapel Hill in the USA. Upon graduation, I underwent research and clinical training in the Department of Orthodontics at the Ohio State University before joining the Klein Lab as a postdoctoral scholar. My research interests lie in bone regeneration and craniofacial development. I believe that science will ultimately revolutionize patient care. Outside of the lab, I enjoy exploring the cultural diversity in Southern California. Additionally, I play the flute and dabble in piano as an amateur.
A materials engineer by training, I earned my PhD in UC Berkeley- UCSF Bioengineering program working in the Valerie Weaver lab. My PhD research uncovered how mechanical forces affect mesoderm specification in an vitro model of gastrulation. Expanding my interests to craniofacial development, I joined the Klein lab in 2024 as a postdoctoral scientist to study how mechanical forces influence neural crest specification using several model systems, namely chick and mouse embryos. Inside and outside of the lab, I am passionate about increasing equity in science.
A cellular and molecular biologist and biochemist by training, I am interested in understanding the complexities of the gastrointestinal tract. I earned my Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India where I characterized a novel transgenic mouse model of chronic diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), before joining Weill Cornell Medicine, New York as a postdoctoral scholar to study the gut microbiome-immune cell interactions. Soon after, intestinal stem cells fascinated me, and I joined the Klein lab in 2024 as a postdoctoral scholar to investigate the mechanisms by which intestinal stem cells mediate regeneration post injury. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading books, cooking, and spending time amidst nature.
I am a DDS/PhD student in the lab working within the oral mucosa small group. My project investigates the heterogenous population of fibroblasts within the oral mucosa, with the goal of understanding how these populations function during regeneration of the tissue. As a dual degree student, my passion lies in bridging the gap between basic science research and the dental clinic. Outside of lab, I like to stay active by backpacking, rock climbing and playing soccer with the lab soccer team, I also enjoy reading nonfiction, cooking and hanging out with my cat.
I am a DDS/PhD student in the tooth small group. My project investigates the cellular basis of morphogenesis specifically, how individual cell morphologies contribute to the asymmetrical development of the murine incisor, and how this process is regulated. Outside of lab I like to spend time with friends and family, explore the countless parks in SF, and trying out new recipes.
I am a DDS/PhD student in the tooth small group. I graduated from UC Los Angeles, where I studied Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. My research interests include understanding how cell populations achieve specific identities, particularly in the continuously growing mouse incisor. In my free time, I like to read and try new food recipes. To burn off those extra calories, I cycle and participate in the lab’s soccer and running clubs.
I am a PhD student co-mentored by Ophir Klein and Michael Kattah. I moved to the Bay from Oregon, where I completed my B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry from the University of Oregon. I am interested in microbe-host interactions in IBD and the effects of microbes in inhibiting or promoting intestinal regeneration. Outside of the lab, I enjoy staying active with and without my dogs, exploring the city (mostly to find good food), and spending time with friends.
In 2020, I completed my Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Bangalore, India. Following graduation, I worked as a Project Associate I in a Molecular Biology lab at the Indian Institute of Science, where I focused on developing a transgenic mouse model with a hyperactivating mutation in receptor guanylyl cyclase C, aimed at identifying therapeutic strategies for secretory diarrhea and IBD. Prior to starting my PhD in 2023 at Cedars Sinai Medical Center (CSMC), I worked as a Research Associate II at CSMC, exploring the role of IL22R cytokine signaling in atherosclerosis. My keen interest in understanding the intricacies of intestinal regeneration after injury inspired me to join the Klein lab, where I am excited to pursue this as my PhD project. Outside of work, I love swimming, hiking, and spending time at the beach!
I have been a Research Associate in the Klein Lab for over 10 years! I work to make sure that everything runs smoothly in the lab, from ensuring supplies are stocked to optimizing systems used by all lab members. I have supported many projects, including tooth regeneration work, and more recently research in the intestinal biology subgroup of the lab. After work I also love gardening, plants, and walking around my neighborhood.
As a graduate with a bachelor’s in animal science from UC Davis, I have a deep curiosity and eagerness to learn. I thrive in lab settings, where I constantly explore new techniques to enhance my understanding of the animal kingdom. In 2022, I took on an animal technician position here at UCSF to start my journey and it was a very rewarding experience to work closely with rodents before joining the Klein lab as an SRA. With my love for animals and contributing to science, working with rodents to help find new discoveries is fulfilling work that I enjoy doing. Outside of the lab, I am an avid fan of watching anime and K-dramas as I enjoy immersing myself in captivating stories and vibrant characters. Another passion of mine is traveling, where I can seek out new experiences and cultures around the globe as I mark things off my bucket list (especially as a foodie!). With a zest for life and a curious mind, I embrace every adventure and opportunity that comes my way.
I earned my BS in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles. In my undergraduate research at the DeNardo Lab, I delved into the neurobiological underpinnings of infantile amnesia in mice. As a research associate, I am eager to contribute to the Klein lab by refining my experimental skills to support other lab members. I am intrigued by the gut-brain axis and its role in gastrointestinal regeneration. Beyond the lab, I enjoy running and drawing.
By training I am biomedical engineer and microbiologist interested in understanding proteins’ structure/function relationship and its clinical translation. Moving to Ophir’s lab for my postdoc and working with all the great Klein lab members allowed me to develop a greater understanding of molecular and cellular biology. I am currently working for a Biotech Company while finalizing several manuscripts reporting my work in the Klein Lab.
I am a pediatric dentist and a researcher specializing in enamel formation and molecular biology of amelogenesis imperfecta. I obtained my DDS from Peking University in 2015 and currently serve as an Associate Clinical Professor at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. I had spent 1.5 years (2019-2021) studying at Tohoku University & Kyushu University in Japan, focused on the molecular mechanisms of tooth formation. Driven by a passion for advancing knowledge, I have embarked on a new research collaboration as a visiting postdoctoral scientist in the Klein Lab, investigating stem cell injury repair mechanisms in mouse incisors under the guidance of Prof. Ophir Klein and Pauline Marangoni.