Faculty Bios |
Denise Al Alam, Ph.D.
Pediatrics - Full Biography
Dr. Al Alam and her team are primarily focused on elucidating the basic mechanisms underlying lung branching morphogenesis in the human lung. Her group was amongst the first to report species-specific molecular and cellular differences in the progenitor cell populations in the developing lung between human and mouse. Active areas of investigation in the lab include regulation of these progenitor cells by different signaling pathways, and identification of the mesenchymal niche required for their maintenance.
Pediatrics - Full Biography
Dr. Al Alam and her team are primarily focused on elucidating the basic mechanisms underlying lung branching morphogenesis in the human lung. Her group was amongst the first to report species-specific molecular and cellular differences in the progenitor cell populations in the developing lung between human and mouse. Active areas of investigation in the lab include regulation of these progenitor cells by different signaling pathways, and identification of the mesenchymal niche required for their maintenance.
*Patrick Allard, Ph.D.
Society and Genetics, Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
The Allard lab uses the nematode C. elegans to uncover mechanisms of germ cell maintenance and differentiation. By developing and applying novel genetic, cellular and molecular tools in the nematode, we attempt to gain fast mechanistic insight on germline genes and pathways that are disrupted during environmental exposure. We are also interested in exploring environmental influence on other aspects of cellular differentiation and function.
Society and Genetics, Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
The Allard lab uses the nematode C. elegans to uncover mechanisms of germ cell maintenance and differentiation. By developing and applying novel genetic, cellular and molecular tools in the nematode, we attempt to gain fast mechanistic insight on germline genes and pathways that are disrupted during environmental exposure. We are also interested in exploring environmental influence on other aspects of cellular differentiation and function.
*Jesus A. Araujo, M.D., Ph.D.
Medicine, Environmental Cardiology - Full Biography
Dr. Araujo's research program focuses on the study of genetic and environmental factors involved in vascular oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, including the dissection of molecular mechanisms responsible for the cardiovascular toxicity of air pollutants.
Medicine, Environmental Cardiology - Full Biography
Dr. Araujo's research program focuses on the study of genetic and environmental factors involved in vascular oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, including the dissection of molecular mechanisms responsible for the cardiovascular toxicity of air pollutants.
*Paul Boutros, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Human Genetics and Urology - Full Biography
As a Professor in the Departments of Human Genetics and Urology, Paul’s research focuses on personalizing therapy for cancer by developing novel statistical methodologies. He leads the ICGC-TCGA DREAM Somatic Mutation Calling Challenge that is setting global standards for analyzing cancer genomic data, and drives programs in cancer genomics, data science and biomarker translation.
Human Genetics and Urology - Full Biography
As a Professor in the Departments of Human Genetics and Urology, Paul’s research focuses on personalizing therapy for cancer by developing novel statistical methodologies. He leads the ICGC-TCGA DREAM Somatic Mutation Calling Challenge that is setting global standards for analyzing cancer genomic data, and drives programs in cancer genomics, data science and biomarker translation.
*Jeff Bronstein, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurology - Full Biography
Jeff Bronstein's clinical interests include the management of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders, surgical treatment of PD, and developing new therapies for patients. Dr. Bronstein's research interests include the study of the causes of PD (environmental and genetic) using cell and zebrafish models as well as population-based studies.
Neurology - Full Biography
Jeff Bronstein's clinical interests include the management of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders, surgical treatment of PD, and developing new therapies for patients. Dr. Bronstein's research interests include the study of the causes of PD (environmental and genetic) using cell and zebrafish models as well as population-based studies.
Soula Danopoulos, Ph.D.
Pediatrics - Full Biography
Dr. Danopoulos works to understand congenital lung anomalies, primarily those observed in Down Syndrome. Respiratory diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality observed in this population, with many of these lung manifestations likely initiating during development. Dr. Danopoulos’ work will focus on identifying therapeutic targets to help reduce the burden of lung diseases within Down Syndrome individuals.
Pediatrics - Full Biography
Dr. Danopoulos works to understand congenital lung anomalies, primarily those observed in Down Syndrome. Respiratory diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality observed in this population, with many of these lung manifestations likely initiating during development. Dr. Danopoulos’ work will focus on identifying therapeutic targets to help reduce the burden of lung diseases within Down Syndrome individuals.
*Feng Gao, Ph.D.
Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Gao’s research focuses on understanding the effects of environmental exposures (e.g., metals, pesticides, and PFAS) on human health (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and aging) through multi-omics data and novel computational methodologies. His research includes exposure assessment modeling, toxicity prediction, environmental epidemiology, and disease prediction.
Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Gao’s research focuses on understanding the effects of environmental exposures (e.g., metals, pesticides, and PFAS) on human health (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and aging) through multi-omics data and novel computational methodologies. His research includes exposure assessment modeling, toxicity prediction, environmental epidemiology, and disease prediction.
Ben Glasgow, M.D.
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Glasgow's laboratory investigates the role of proteins in the molecular mechanisms of tear film formation. The interactions of tear proteins in ocular surface diseases are studied using a range of biophysical, biochemical, molecular and microscopic techniques. Current focus is centered on tear lipocalin, a promiscuous transporter of hydrophobic ligands in the human tear film.
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Glasgow's laboratory investigates the role of proteins in the molecular mechanisms of tear film formation. The interactions of tear proteins in ocular surface diseases are studied using a range of biophysical, biochemical, molecular and microscopic techniques. Current focus is centered on tear lipocalin, a promiscuous transporter of hydrophobic ligands in the human tear film.
*Brigitte Gomperts, M.D.
Pediatrics and Pulmonary Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Brigitte Gomperts is a physician-scientist who has been a faculty member at UCLA for over 20 years. Her lab studies repair and regeneration of the lungs, and how the normal repair mechanisms are altered after lung exposures and in lung diseases. She is particularly interested in stem/progenitor cell populations in the lungs and determining the regenerative potential of each of these subpopulations in order to better understand repair in addition to the possibility of cell-based therapies for lung diseases. To this end, her lab studies the mechanisms of airway changes induced by cigarette smoking, e-cigarette smoking and wildfire smoke. Her lab has developed novel primary human models for these direct exposures to closely mimic patient exposures.
Pediatrics and Pulmonary Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Brigitte Gomperts is a physician-scientist who has been a faculty member at UCLA for over 20 years. Her lab studies repair and regeneration of the lungs, and how the normal repair mechanisms are altered after lung exposures and in lung diseases. She is particularly interested in stem/progenitor cell populations in the lungs and determining the regenerative potential of each of these subpopulations in order to better understand repair in addition to the possibility of cell-based therapies for lung diseases. To this end, her lab studies the mechanisms of airway changes induced by cigarette smoking, e-cigarette smoking and wildfire smoke. Her lab has developed novel primary human models for these direct exposures to closely mimic patient exposures.
Ming Guo, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurology and Molecular & Medical Pharmacology - Full Biography
Dr. Guo’s research lab investigates molecular mechanisms of the two most common neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Mutations in PINK1 and PARKIN lead to inherited forms of Parkinson’s disease. Her lab is one of the first two labs worldwide to report the function of PINK1, and to discover that PINK1, a mitochondria-localized serine-threonine kinase, and PARKIN, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, act in a common genetic pathway to regulate mitochondrial integrity and mitochondrial quality control.
Neurology and Molecular & Medical Pharmacology - Full Biography
Dr. Guo’s research lab investigates molecular mechanisms of the two most common neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Mutations in PINK1 and PARKIN lead to inherited forms of Parkinson’s disease. Her lab is one of the first two labs worldwide to report the function of PINK1, and to discover that PINK1, a mitochondria-localized serine-threonine kinase, and PARKIN, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, act in a common genetic pathway to regulate mitochondrial integrity and mitochondrial quality control.
*Oliver Hankinson, Ph.D.
Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Ph.D. Program Chair, and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Hankinson's research focuses on the mechanism of carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found in cigarette smoke and smog), dioxin (a pollutant), & related compounds, using molecular biology, cell culture & animal model systems.
Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Ph.D. Program Chair, and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Hankinson's research focuses on the mechanism of carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found in cigarette smoke and smog), dioxin (a pollutant), & related compounds, using molecular biology, cell culture & animal model systems.
Jonathan Jacobs, M.D., Ph.D.
Digestive Diseases/Gastroenterology - Full Biography
Dr. Jacobs studies mechanisms by which air pollution, diet, and genetic factors impact the intestinal microbiome to promote inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and cancer. His research program utilizes a combination of multi'omics human studies, gnotobiotic mouse models, and microbiota/epithelium co-cultures.
Digestive Diseases/Gastroenterology - Full Biography
Dr. Jacobs studies mechanisms by which air pollution, diet, and genetic factors impact the intestinal microbiome to promote inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and cancer. His research program utilizes a combination of multi'omics human studies, gnotobiotic mouse models, and microbiota/epithelium co-cultures.
*David Krantz, Ph.D.
Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Krantz uses Drosophila to study how changes in the function of neurotransmitter transporters may influence synaptic transmission and behavior, and the role of pesticides in these processes.
Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Krantz uses Drosophila to study how changes in the function of neurotransmitter transporters may influence synaptic transmission and behavior, and the role of pesticides in these processes.
Siavash K. Kurdistani, M.D.
Biological Chemistry - Full Biography
The Kurdistani lab is investigating the role of chromatin in copper homeostasis, spurred by their discovery of histone H3 as an enzyme that reduces copper. This enzymatic activity is important for generating bioavailable copper for cellular use, but could also contribute to copper toxicity. They use molecular and biochemical approaches to study the impact of chromatin’s enzymatic activity on copper-dependent enzymes, processes and pathways in the cell. Their aim it to develop a new conceptual framework for understanding chromatin as a “metabolic organelle”.
Biological Chemistry - Full Biography
The Kurdistani lab is investigating the role of chromatin in copper homeostasis, spurred by their discovery of histone H3 as an enzyme that reduces copper. This enzymatic activity is important for generating bioavailable copper for cellular use, but could also contribute to copper toxicity. They use molecular and biochemical approaches to study the impact of chromatin’s enzymatic activity on copper-dependent enzymes, processes and pathways in the cell. Their aim it to develop a new conceptual framework for understanding chromatin as a “metabolic organelle”.
*Shaily Mahendra, Ph.D.
Civil and Environmental Engineering - Full Biography
Dr. Mahendra's research areas are focused on microbiomes in natural and engineered systems, applications of molecular and isotopic tools in environmental microbiology, environmental toxicology of nanomaterials, and biotransformation of water contaminants.
Civil and Environmental Engineering - Full Biography
Dr. Mahendra's research areas are focused on microbiomes in natural and engineered systems, applications of molecular and isotopic tools in environmental microbiology, environmental toxicology of nanomaterials, and biotransformation of water contaminants.
William McBride, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Radiation Oncology - Full Biography
Dr. McBride's research focuses on degradation of proteins through the proteasome system and the inhibitory effects of exposure to radiation, and other agents.
Radiation Oncology - Full Biography
Dr. McBride's research focuses on degradation of proteins through the proteasome system and the inhibitory effects of exposure to radiation, and other agents.
Megan McEvoy, Ph.D.
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics - Full Biography
The McEvoy laboratory is focused on developing an understanding of how organisms handle metal ions. Organisms can face highly varying levels of metal ions through their environment or diet, and metal ion concentrations in cells must be carefully regulated.
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics - Full Biography
The McEvoy laboratory is focused on developing an understanding of how organisms handle metal ions. Organisms can face highly varying levels of metal ions through their environment or diet, and metal ion concentrations in cells must be carefully regulated.
William Melega, Ph.D.
Molecular and Medical Pharmacology - Full Biography
Dr. Melega's research is focused on molecular mechanisms of basal ganglia neuroplasticity associated with neurodegenerative diseases and drug abuse. Analytical techniques include a wide range of biochemical, molecular and behavioral approaches. Specific projects include: 1- Biochemical studies on the acute and long term effects of methamphetamine.
Molecular and Medical Pharmacology - Full Biography
Dr. Melega's research is focused on molecular mechanisms of basal ganglia neuroplasticity associated with neurodegenerative diseases and drug abuse. Analytical techniques include a wide range of biochemical, molecular and behavioral approaches. Specific projects include: 1- Biochemical studies on the acute and long term effects of methamphetamine.
Frank Pajonk, M.D., Ph.D.
Radiation Oncology/Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology - Full Biography
Dr. Pajonk's research is focused on radiation effects of the proteasome and cancer stem cells.
Radiation Oncology/Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology - Full Biography
Dr. Pajonk's research is focused on radiation effects of the proteasome and cancer stem cells.
Suzanne E. Paulson, Ph.D.
Atmospheric Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Paulson's group is investigating generation of reactive oxygen species by ambient particulate matter, mapping air pollution in urban microenvironments, and investigating aerosol optical properties.
Atmospheric Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Paulson's group is investigating generation of reactive oxygen species by ambient particulate matter, mapping air pollution in urban microenvironments, and investigating aerosol optical properties.
*Srinivasa Reddy, Ph.D.
Molecular and Medical Pharmacology - Full Biography
Dr. Reddy's laboratory studies physiological and pathological phenomena mediated by arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites, which are implicated in a number of disease processes including acute and chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, immune response, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, respiratory disorders and cancer.
Molecular and Medical Pharmacology - Full Biography
Dr. Reddy's laboratory studies physiological and pathological phenomena mediated by arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites, which are implicated in a number of disease processes including acute and chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, immune response, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, respiratory disorders and cancer.
*Virender Rehan, M.D.
Department of Neonatology - Full Biography
Dr. Rehan’s research interests include lung development and injury-repair, with a special emphasis on lung injury repair following perinatal exposure to insults such as hyperoxia, infection, volutrauma, and nicotine. The studies in his lab have provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Childhood Asthma, and Chronic Lung Disease that have led to the creation of innovative strategies to prevent/treat these conditions.
Department of Neonatology - Full Biography
Dr. Rehan’s research interests include lung development and injury-repair, with a special emphasis on lung injury repair following perinatal exposure to insults such as hyperoxia, infection, volutrauma, and nicotine. The studies in his lab have provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Childhood Asthma, and Chronic Lung Disease that have led to the creation of innovative strategies to prevent/treat these conditions.
*Beate Ritz, M.D., Ph.D.
Epidemiology and Environmental Health - Full Biography
Dr. Ritz's primary research interests are the effects of occupational and environmental toxins such as pesticides, ionizing radiation, and air pollution on chronic diseases including neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson's disease), cancer, and adverse birth outcomes. Dr. Ritz is also the President of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE).
Epidemiology and Environmental Health - Full Biography
Dr. Ritz's primary research interests are the effects of occupational and environmental toxins such as pesticides, ionizing radiation, and air pollution on chronic diseases including neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson's disease), cancer, and adverse birth outcomes. Dr. Ritz is also the President of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE).
Wendie Robbins, Ph.D.
Nursing/ Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Robbins' research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of environmentally induced germ cell genetic damage and the development of biomarkers to detect and measure this damage in human sperm cells.
Nursing/ Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
Dr. Robbins' research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of environmentally induced germ cell genetic damage and the development of biomarkers to detect and measure this damage in human sperm cells.
Michael Roth, M.D.
Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Roth's research investigates the effects of inhaled cannabis, including purified delta-9-THC as its primary psychoactive cannabinoid, as mediators of lung inflammation, airway injury, and pre-cancerous changes. He also studies the manner in which cannabinoids interact with the immune system and the expression of specific cannabinoid receptors by immune cells.
Medicine - Full Biography
Dr. Roth's research investigates the effects of inhaled cannabis, including purified delta-9-THC as its primary psychoactive cannabinoid, as mediators of lung inflammation, airway injury, and pre-cancerous changes. He also studies the manner in which cannabinoids interact with the immune system and the expression of specific cannabinoid receptors by immune cells.
Felix Schweizer, Ph.D.
Neurobiology - Full Biography
The Schweizer laboratory uses electrophysiological and optical tools to investigate the dynamic molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of neurotransmitter release. They are particularly interested in the role of protein ubiquitination in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission.
Neurobiology - Full Biography
The Schweizer laboratory uses electrophysiological and optical tools to investigate the dynamic molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of neurotransmitter release. They are particularly interested in the role of protein ubiquitination in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission.
Ram Raj Singh, M.D.
Pathology/ Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
His research on immune pathogenesis of lupus and autoimmune diseases and mechanisms of tolerance has been recognized by over a dozen national and international awards, including Carol Nachman Prize, one of the largest international prize in experimental rheumatology that he received from the President of Germany.
Pathology/ Environmental Health Sciences - Full Biography
His research on immune pathogenesis of lupus and autoimmune diseases and mechanisms of tolerance has been recognized by over a dozen national and international awards, including Carol Nachman Prize, one of the largest international prize in experimental rheumatology that he received from the President of Germany.
*Alice Soragni, Ph.D.
Orthopaedic Surgery - Full Biography
The Soragni Lab develops patient-derived tumor organoids to study rare cancers and advance precision medicine. They use organoids to investigate the molecular and biological underpinnings of tumor-specific and patient-specific toxicities of therapeutic drugs.
Orthopaedic Surgery - Full Biography
The Soragni Lab develops patient-derived tumor organoids to study rare cancers and advance precision medicine. They use organoids to investigate the molecular and biological underpinnings of tumor-specific and patient-specific toxicities of therapeutic drugs.
*Xia Yang, Ph.D.
Integrative Biology and Physiology - Full Biography
Dr. Yang's research focuses on identifying key regulatory genes and gene networks that mediate the effect of genetic and environmental perturbations on metabolic diseases using high-throughput genomic and computational approaches. Dr. Yang is also interested in applying similar approaches to pharmacogenomic and toxicogenomic studies to understand the genomic architecture of drug metabolism, drug response, and toxicity.
Integrative Biology and Physiology - Full Biography
Dr. Yang's research focuses on identifying key regulatory genes and gene networks that mediate the effect of genetic and environmental perturbations on metabolic diseases using high-throughput genomic and computational approaches. Dr. Yang is also interested in applying similar approaches to pharmacogenomic and toxicogenomic studies to understand the genomic architecture of drug metabolism, drug response, and toxicity.
Chuchu Zhang, Ph.D.
Physiology - Full Biography
Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on the neural mechanisms of nausea evoked by poisons, pathogens, and diseases. We are interested in identifying key nausea signal transduction machineries and neural pathways that mediate the nausea responses using animal models. The Zhang lab will span molecular biology, neural circuits, physiology, and animal behaviors.
Physiology - Full Biography
Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on the neural mechanisms of nausea evoked by poisons, pathogens, and diseases. We are interested in identifying key nausea signal transduction machineries and neural pathways that mediate the nausea responses using animal models. The Zhang lab will span molecular biology, neural circuits, physiology, and animal behaviors.
*Zuo-Feng Zhang, Ph.D.
Epidemiology - Full Biography
Dr. Zhang's research interests focus on molecular genetic epidemiology of cancers of the lung, bladder, prostate, esophagus, stomach, liver, head and neck cancer, cervix, and AIDS-related malignancies. His research team is working on the role of mutations, methylations, and polymorphisms of genes in the development of cancer. The major focus of his research group is to evaluate the main effects of these genes on the risk of cancers and to assess potential gene-environment interactions.
Epidemiology - Full Biography
Dr. Zhang's research interests focus on molecular genetic epidemiology of cancers of the lung, bladder, prostate, esophagus, stomach, liver, head and neck cancer, cervix, and AIDS-related malignancies. His research team is working on the role of mutations, methylations, and polymorphisms of genes in the development of cancer. The major focus of his research group is to evaluate the main effects of these genes on the risk of cancers and to assess potential gene-environment interactions.