Current Undergraduate Students
Erin Yang (2024-present)
I'm a second year intending to major in Molecular Environmental Biology. Currently, I'm working on the Toxic Flies project, which aligns with my interests in genetics and animal health. I am also interested in research that intersects environmental, animal, and human health. Outside of the lab, you may find me exploring new restaurants, playing piano, drawing, or playing games with friends.
Contact: erinyang [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Prabin Gharti (2023-)
I am a third year undergraduate majoring in Integrative Human Biology. Right now I am engaged in research where we are looking over amphibians' chemical defense mechanisms. My interests include regenerative medicine, evolution, human biology and chemistry in general and in terms of non- academic stuff, I love travelling, playing guitar and listening to poetries.
Contact: prabingharti [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Peter (Zhizang) Chen (2022-)
I am a second year student major in Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology and minor in Data science. I am curious about how genetics and genomics expression affect the organismal phenotype. I love being in the nature environment and observe insect behavior. I also learned how to capture insects and making specimens. I enjoy reading and making video clips.
Contact: chenzhiyang2020 [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Lizbeth Garcia (2022-)
I am an incoming third-year student intending to major in Public Health on a pre-PA route. Currently I am helping conduct lab work to identify the sex and ploidy of several snake samples. I love doing research because I want to be able to translate scientific research to the community as there is a need to increase multilingualism in science communication. Outside of the lab I enjoy baking, taking walks and traveling.
Contact: lizbeth.garcia [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Chenhey Chu (2024-present)
I am a sophomore studying Molecular Environmental Biology with an intended minor in Marine Science. My passions lie in animal health, ecology, evolutionary biology, and working towards wildlife conservation under shifting environmental pressures. Currently, I will be helping research the effects of toxin exposure on poison frogs to understand chemical defense mechanisms. Outside the lab, I love painting people or animals, spending time in nature, and playing the piano!
Contact: chenhey [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Ines Huret (2022-)
I am a sophomore studying Integrative Biology and intending to minor in Data Science. My interests include marine biology, ecology, evolution and conservation, and I am currently researching marine invertebrate symbioses. Outside the lab, I enjoy sailing, scuba diving, swimming, and traveling the world!
Contact: ines.huret [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Ameya Joshi (2021-)
I am a first-year student intending to major in Integrative Biology. I am interested in studying how genetic information is passed along through various generations and how sequestration of toxins affects organismal fitness on the genetic level. Currently, I will be working on the Experimental Evolution of Toxic Flies project and trying to understand how various abiotic and biotic pressures affect fly fitness. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing cricket, listening to music, running, and learning about the world around us.
Contact: ameyajoshi [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Alina Tran (2024-)
I am a first year Genetics and Plant Biology student aiming to eventually work in genotyping and bioinformatics. I am interested in studying the genetic evolution of animals and plants as it deals with the specific genomes that are involved. Currently involved with the fly project, I am involved in studying how the evolution of one animal can become a model for an animal with more complex structure. Beyond the lab, I enjoy playing jazz and doing traditional Vietnamese dance.
Contact: inatrn [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Sophie dela Cruz (2022-)
I am a second-year undergraduate intending to study Integrative Biology. Currently, I am involved in a comprehensive chemical defense review of frogs that expands upon trends in amphibian evolution. My interests include herpetology, evolutionary biology, developmental endocrinology, the Anthropocene, and genetics. Beyond the lab, I love writing poetry, crocheting, and reading tarot cards.
Contact: sophie.delacruz [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Vasheeigaran Shenthan (2021-)
I am a second-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley intending to major in Molecular and Cell Biology. I am also a premed student. Currently, I will be helping research toxic defenses in frogs and the many aspects behind this. I enjoy learning about different topics and feel that research is a great way to learn. Outside of the lab, I love to watch sports, go on hikes, work out, and listen to music.
Contact: vashee.shen [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Marley Michel (2024-)
I am a first-year undergraduate intending to major in Molecular and Cell Biology and Spanish. I’m interested in evolutionary and developmental genetics. In the lab, I'm helping to investigate the effects of toxin exposure on poison frogs. I’m curious to learn about how these frogs and their complex chemical defenses have evolved. I’ve always been a big fan of amphibians and reptiles, so this is an exciting project for me! Outside of the lab, you can find me playing jazz saxophone, rowing on the Cal Lightweight team, hanging out with friends and family, baking, and exploring in nature.
Contact: marleyraemichel [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Puja Iyer (2021-)
I am interested in further exploring the relationship between molecular genetics and evolution, specifically how gene expression and epigenetics affect organismal response to both human and natural pressures. I am also interested in researching the ancestry of an organism and how it evolved to its modern-day form. I am also dedicated to the pursuit of conservation, preservation, and rescue of our world's many ecosystems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy dancing and swimming, spending time with family and friends, and learning new things.
Contact: puvaiy2 [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Natalie Meyer (2023-)
I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology. Currently, I am working on a comprehensive amphibian chemical defense review which combines my love of biochemistry with my growing interest in herpetology. I am also interested in evolutionary genetics. Outside of the lab, I enjoy creating sculptures, stained glass, and acrylic portraits of my dogs.
Contact: nataliemeyer [at] berkeley [dot] edu