Cristina Flores-Arenas, PhD, Chair
Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology
I am a postdoc at the department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, I focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control the innate immune responses.
Jennifer Ott, PhD, Vice Chair and Symposium Co-Chair
Saran Chattopadhyaya, PhD, Treasurer
I joined UCSC in April 2022 as a postdoc in Dr. Camilla Forsberg's Lab. In 2023, I joined the USPA as a board member. When not in the lab, I enjoy my time with friends, watching movies, and hiking. Three famous words in my life (till now) - Research, Eat and Drink.
Oskar Elek, PhD, Social Event Coordinator
Computer Science and Computational Media departments
Oskar has been a member of the Creative Coding Lab since 2019, and an OSPO Incubator Fellow since 2021. His work uses nature inspired simulation to reconstruct and visualize network phenomena in astrophysics and beyond.
Oskar's goal at USPA is to bring the postdoc community closer together through activities like beach parties, biking and hiking trips, or visits to local breweries. If you have an idea for a fun event, you can reach him at oelek@ucsc.edu.
Anisa Ghosh, PhD, Chair of USPA Development and Social Media Coordinator
Biomolecular Engineering Department
I am a Postdoc in the Biomolecular Engineering (BME) department. I am currently studying molecular mechanisms of viral infections and using this information to develop new vaccines and therapeutics. Besides research, I keep myself busy with cooking and watching movies.
Brian Mullen, PhD, Symposium Co-Chair
Department of Molecular Cell Developmental Biology
I'm part of the Feldheim Lab. My research interests are to understand molecular and activity-dependent mechanisms underlying the development of neural systems. Specifically, how genes or environmental experience change neuronal plasticity and circuit formation, thus furthering our current understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Sven Heydenreich, PhD, Symposium Co-Chair
Department of Astrophysics
I am a postdoc at the department of Astrophysics, I specialize in research about cosmology.
Alessandra Rodriguez y Baena, PhD, Board Member
Alessandra (Ale) is a post-doc in the Forsberg Lab where she studies aging of the hematopoietic (blood) system. When not in the lab, you can find her soaking up the sun, cooking and eating good food, and reading.
Alka Gupta, PhD, Social Media Coordinator
Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental biology
At the Sharma lab we work to investigate and understand the somatic to germ cell or soma-germline interaction and its role in paternal epigenetic inheritance. I work to understand how environmental and external stress can alter the growth and development of the next generation via alterations in the sperm small RNA profile. I enjoy cooking and long walks.
Camila Morales Fenero, PhD, Website Support and Symposium Co-Chair
Alison Mills, PhD, Website Support
Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Alison is a postdoc in the Sullivan Lab. She studies mechanisms of preserving genomics integrity using Drosophila as a model system. Her hobbies include playing video games and reading.
Estefania Sanchez, PhD, Board Member