Suhail Khoja PhD

Suhail Khoja Ph.D. is a Project Scientist in the Department of Surgery at UCLA. His research is primarily focused on CRISPR/Cas9-based correction of ARG1-deficient patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells and use this model to study the neuronal development in ARG1-deficient and ARG1 corrected cells. In addition Dr. Khoja is also investigating the correction of hepatic carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (Cps1) deficiency in mice using In vivo gene therapy.

Besides his research, Dr. Khoja is nature lover and enjoys spending time and traveling with his family and friends.

Suhail is now working as a Senior Scientist at Korro Bio, Inc. in Cambridge MA since 2020.

Xiao-Bo Liu PhD

Researcher

Jenna Lambert

Stephanie Angarita MD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Jennifer Kasten MD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Gloria Cantero PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Yue Huang M.D, Ph.D

Yue is currently a clinical instructor in medical genetics and T32 research fellow at UCLA. He is studying the disease mechanism of the remethylation disorders with a focus on the impact of remethylation defects in the early brain development. On his free time, he enjoys hiking, skiing, and explore restaurants in town.

Matt Nitzahn Ph.D

Matt received his PhD in Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB) within the home area of the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program. His work focuses on designing and implementing novel gene- and cell-based therapies, including AAVs and CRISPR/Cas9, to treat urea cycle disorders, in particular CPS1 deficiency. During his free time, Matt enjoys reading fiction, cycling, and searching for the best pizza parlors in town.

Websites:

MBI home page: https://www.mbi.ucla.edu/
CDB home page: https://www.mbi.ucla.edu/cdb/

Andrea Ochoa

Kip Hermann PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Denise Tai MD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Brian Truong BS

Brian is a PhD student in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology (2015-2019). His research has focused on developing human induced pluripotent stem cell-based gene therapy strategies for treatment of arginase deficiency. Additionally, with industry collaborators, he has also investigated lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA for treatment of arginase deficiency as well as other urea cycle disorders. During his free time, Brian enjoys kickboxing, lifting weights, and checking out the local nightlife.

Pharmacology home page: https://www.pharmacology.ucla.edu/

Brian defended his thesis in September 2019 and transitioned into the biotech industry sector. He is currently a Research Scientist II at Poseida Therapeutics in San Diego, CA working on developing nanoparticle technology for gene therapy applications.

Patrick Lee PhD

Graduate Student

Adrienne Dow BS

Staff Research Associate

Lizzie Zhang

I graduated from UCLA 2021 with a bachelor degree in neuroscience and a minor in mathematical biology. My current project focuses on arginase deficiency – how an elevation of guanidino compounds could cause impairments of oligodendrocytes and eventually on myelination. In my free time, I enjoy baking, watching movies, and sleeping. Also a food blogger with 270k followers.

Jocelyn Rodriguez

Rotation Graduate Student

MBIDP home page: www.mbi.ucla.edu

Robert Jimenez

Rotation Graduate Student

MBIDP home page: www.mbi.ucla.edu

Blake Gilmore BS MS

Rotation Graduate Student

Nicholas Jackson

Rotation Graduate Student

Andrew Nguyen BS

Medical Student

Annie Chang

Undergraduate Researcher

Alex Lam BS

Undergraduate Researcher

Michael Lin BS

Undergraduate Researcher

Colleen Le

I received my B.S. in biochemistry here at UCLA in 2022 and am continuing my research throughout this gap year before entering medical school. I am currently working on studying SLC6A8 deficiency in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and designing CRISPR/Cas9 strategies to better understand the disease pathology. In my free time, I like to embroider, punch needle, and analyze films!

Puja Patel

I am a graduated Neuroscience and Psychology double major here at UCLA. In lab, I am currently working on a new gene therapy for Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency and various cloning projects. Outside of lab, I spend my free time watching true crime documentaries, hiking, and playing video games.

Olga Chen

Adam Eliav

Natanya Gunn

I’m a 4th year Biochemistry student at UCLA. I am currently working on testing the gene ride AAV system for Arginase 1 deficiency. Fun fact: I love playing dungeons and dragons

Emma Randolph

Mitchell Rudd

Shannon Asay

Letty Liu

Rebecca Van Dyke

Braydon Morandini

Hi! My name is Braydon Morandini and I am a fourth year MCDB major from Philadelphia. I am currently working on the CPS1 project and have plans of going to medical school post-grad. I love hiking, working out, nature, water sports, and of course, science!

Katie Kyan

I am currently a 4th year Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology major from Hacienda Heights, CA. My project in the Lipshutz Lab focuses on studying CPS1 deficiency. Outside of research, I enjoy painting in my free time and searching for new food places to try in LA!

Leo Cigarroa

My name is Leonides Cigarroa, and I am a second year MIMG student. My hometown is Laredo, Texas where I hope to return to someday to join the family business of cardiological healthcare. When I’m not aiding in the lab or studying for my classes, I frequent the gym and enjoy playing the guitar. Should you ever see me in the Neurological Science Research Building, feel free to say hello!

Rain Wong

I am a 1st-year MCDB major here at UCLA. I am currently studying under Colleen, learning about her work regarding CRISPR/Cas9 and SLC6A8 deficiency. In my free time, I like to play beach volleyball with friends, go to the gym and read manga.