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Faculty

Name Department Title Field Research Accepting Students

McTavish, Emily Jane

Life & Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Evolution, Phylogenetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Data Science

We use evolutionary information in large data sets in ways that are biologically informed, statistically rigorous, and computationally efficient.

Lab website

Email: ejmctavish@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Andresen Eguiluz, Roberto C.

Materials Science and Engineering Assistant Professor Biointerfaces, Bioadhesion, Biotribology, Cell-substrate interactions, Mechanobiology

Understand how molecular interactions and forces of biological interfaces across several lengthscales affect function in biology.

Lab website

Email: randreseneguiluz@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Kim, Sora

Life & Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Paleoecology, Ecogeochemistry, Stable Isotope Analysis, Paleoclimatology

Interaction between environmental change and biotic response in animal, plant, and soil; terrestrial to marine environments and modern to ancient.

Lab website

Email: skim380@ucmerced.edu

Yes

McCloskey, Kara E

Materials Science and Engineering Professor Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Culture, Differentiation, Vascular Assembly

My laboratory aims to understand and recapitulate the microenvironment and microenvironmental cues directing stem cells fate and cardiovascular tissue assembly.

Lab website

Email: kmccloskey@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Aguirre-Muñoz, Zenaida

Cognitive & Information Sciences Professor STEM Teaching and Learning, Psychosocial Factors in Learning, Design Based Education Research, Cognitive Processes in STEM learning

I study environments and processes that maximize STEM learning using principles, theory, and research methods from cognitive science and education.

Lab website

Email: zenaidaphd@gmail.com

Yes

Nobile, Clarissa J.

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Biofilms, Microbial Communities, Interspecies Interactions, Fungal Pathogens

Research in the Nobile lab is directed towards understanding the molecular and mechanistic bases of microbial communities.

Lab website

Email: cnobile@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Rube, H. Tomas

Applied Mathematics Assistant Professor Mathematical Biology, Machine Learning, Genomics, Molecular Systems Biology

Developing machine-learning methods and paired high-throughput assays that quantify how proteins recognize DNA, RNA and peptides sequences.

Lab website

Email: trube@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Gopinathan, Ajay

Physics Professor Molecular and Cell Biology, Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics, Mathematical Biology, Computational Biology, Physical Biology

Theory and computation to understand intracellular transport, regulation of cell shape and assemblies, and the collective migration of cells.

Lab website

Email: agopinathan@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Merg, Andrea

Chemistry and Biochemistry Assistant Professor Biomolecular Self-assembly, Peptide and Protein Chemistry, Bioconjugation, Biomaterials

Design and construction of nanoscale biomaterials from the self-assembly of programmable biomolecular building blocks.

Lab website

Email: amerg@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Ge, Xuecai

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor Neurobiology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Understanding molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment and developmental disorders, focusing on cell signaling and the primary cilium.

Lab website

Email: xge2@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

LiWang, Patricia

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Structural Biology, Protein-protein Interactions, Viral Inhibition, Anti-inflammatory Strategies, Biophysical Techniques

We study protein biochemistry, with a focus on protein-protein interactions that are involved in virus inhibition and in combatting inflammation.

Lab website

Email: pliwang@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Ortiz, Rudy M.

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Metabolism, Physiology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutrition

Metabolism in response to natural or dietary interventions including fasting and in metabolic diseases like diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Lab website

Email: rortiz@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Sukenik, Shahar

Chemistry and Biochemistry Assistant Professor Biochemistry, Biophysics, Proteins

We combine experimental and computational tools to study how the cellular environment affects proteins in both health and disease

Lab website

Email: ssukenik@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Ceballos, Ruben Michael

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor Microbiology, Virology, Biotechnology, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Biochemistry

The Ceballos Lab studies host-virus interactions in multiple virus systems and develops biotechnologies for biofuels, agricultural, and biomedical applications

Lab website

Email: rceballos@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Hutchinson, Matt

Life & Environmental Sciences Assistant Professor Community Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Large Mammals, Species Interactions

My lab studies animal foraging behavior and its impacts on individuals, populations, and ecological communities.

Lab website

Email: mhutchinson6@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Jensen, Kirk

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor Immunology, Vaccines, Toxoplasma gondii, Genetics

Toxoplasma gondii and host-immune responses, vaccine development, parasite pathogenesis

Lab website

Email: kjensen5@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Dumont, Elizabeth (Betsy)

Life & Environmental Sciences Professor Macroevolution, Functional Morphology, Biomechanics, Vertebrates

Our expertise lies at the intersection of form, function, ecology, and evolution in vertebrates, especially bats.

Lab website

Email: edumont@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Sindi, Suzanne S.

Applied Mathematics Professor Mathematical Biology, Data Science, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics

Mathematical and statistical tools for complex biological processes. Deep-learning to identify critical subpopulations. Mechanistic multi-scale modeling of protein aggregation disease.

Lab website

Email: ssindi@ucmerced.edu

No

Sexton, Jason (Jay)

Life & Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Ecological Genetics, Adaptation, Natural History, Conservation Biology, Species Range Limits

We study the factors that determine species distributions, focusing on the processes and patterns of plant adaptation and diversification

Lab website

Email: jsexton2@ucmerced.edu

No

Gaiarsa, Marilia Palumbo

Life & Environmental Sciences Assistant Professor Ecological Networks, Pollination Ecology, Climate Change, Mutualism

We integrate empirical and modelling approaches for the role ecological interactions in the maintenance of biodiversity in pollinators.

Lab website

Email: mgaiarsa@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Grasis, Juris A.

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor Immunology, Virology, Microbiology, Metagenomics, Systems Biology

Our lab focuses on understanding antiviral immunity and interactions with viral particles using multi-omic analyses and computational biology.

Lab website

Email: jagrasis@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Blois, Jessica

Life & Environmental Sciences Professor Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Community Ecology, Paleoecology

Biodiversity-environment-climate linkages – past, present, and future; mammals; data infrastructure; equity and inclusion in biology and earth sciences

Lab website

Email: jblois@ucmerced.edu

No

Amemiya, Chris T.

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Evo-Devo, Molecular Genetics, Comparative Genomics, Immunology

The genetic and developmental changes that facilitated the evolution of novelty and innovations in the vertebrates.

Lab website

Email: camemiya@ucmerced.edu

No

Rutter, Erica

Applied Mathematics Assistant Professor Mathematical Biology, Computational Biology, Machine Learning

We use mathematical modeling and machine learning to better understand biological phenomena and make predictions about the future.

Lab website

Email: erutter2@ucmerced.edu

No

Smaldino, Paul

Cognitive & Information Sciences Associate Professor Social and Cultural Evolution, Collective Behavior, Signaling, Cooperation, Formal Modeling

I am interested in cultural evolution, cooperation, and complex systems. I use models to study how behaviors emerge and evolve.

Lab website

Email: psmaldino@ucmerced.edu

No

Kranzfelder, Petra

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Teaching Professor Biology Education Research, STEM Education Research, Organismal and Integrative Biology

STEM teaching and learning in higher education. We collaborate with colleagues and students to study, practice, and promote evidence-based teaching practices.

Lab website

Email: pkranzfelder@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Oviedo, Nestor J

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Stem Cells & Cancer, Tissue Regeneration, Host-pathogen Interactions, Bioelectricity, Immunity

Our group investigates fundamental mechanisms of stem cell regulation to gain insights into tissue repair, host-pathogen interactions, and malignant cell transformation.

Lab website

Email: noviedo2@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Manilay, Jennifer O.

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Immunology, Development, Hematopoiesis, Stem Cells, Microenvironment

The Manilay Laboratory investigates development of mouse hematopoietic and immune system cells in genetically-altered and chemical-exposed bone marrow microenvironments.

Lab website

Email: jmanilay@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Shepardson, Kelly M.

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor Immunology & Pathogenesis of Fungi, Anti-fungal Immunity, Anti-viral Response

Fungal pathogenesis and immunology, Aspergillus and host-immune responses, Viral-mediated susceptibility

Lab website: 

Email: kshepardson2@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Woo, Stephanie

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor Cell and Developmental Biology, Morphogenesis, Cytoskeleton, Zebrafish, Microscopy

Research in the Woo Lab aims to understand how cells work together to build tissues and organs in the developing embryo.

Lab website

Email: swoo6@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Spencer, Joel

Bioengineering Associate Professor Biomedical Optics, Intravital Microscopy, Hematopoiesis, Immunology, Cancer Biology

Our lab seeks to develop novel imaging and sensing systems to study the hematopoietic and immune systems in health and disease.

Lab website

Email: joel.spencer@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Thompson, Michael

Chemistry and Biochemistry Assistant Professor Structural Biology, Biophysics, Enzymology, Protein Dynamics, X-ray Crystallography

We develop methods at the frontier of structural biology and biophysics to study the function of biological macromolecules.

Lab website

Email: mthompson30@ucmerced.edu

Maybe

Dutagaci, Bercem

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor Computational Biophysics, Biomolecular Modeling, Molecular Dynamics, Transcription, Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions

Dutagaci Lab studies structure, dynamics, function and cellular organizations of biomolecules using computational modeling, molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning.

Lab website

Email: bdutagaci@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Wolf, Fred

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor Neurobiology, Addiction, Animal Behavior, Genetics, Brain Circuits

Molecular and neural circuit mechanisms for simple behavioral actions: alcohol plasticity for addiction, thirst motivation. Drosophila genetics and behavior.

Lab website

Email: fwolf@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Alba, Eva de

Bioengineering Associate Professor Protein Structure, Dynamics and Function, Protein Engineering

Molecular bases of inflammation, structure and function of protein receptors and sensors, protein engineering for biotechnological/biomedical applications

Lab website

Email: edealbabastarrechea@ucmerced.edu

No

Beman, Michael

Life & Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Microbiology, Ecology, Climate Change, Environment, Ocean

We examine microbial diversity, activity, and function from the mountains to the deep sea

Lab website

Email: jmbeman@gmail.com

Yes

Nishiguchi, Michele K. (aka "Nish") 

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Evolutionary Biology, Microbial Genetics, Symbiosis, Squid, Vibrio

My laboratory examines the mechanisms of host-symbiont recognition, and assesses whether environmental factors or inherent genetic characters affect speciation and diversity.

Lab website

Email: nish@ucmerced.edu

No

Hernday, Aaron

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor  

Epigenetic and transcriptional networks and metabolic engineering of yeasts

Lab website

Email: ahernday@ucmerced.edu

 

Subramaniam, Anand

Bioengineering Associate Professor Synthetic Biology, Soft Matter Physics, Colloid and Interface Science, Microfabrication and Microfluidics

 

Lab website

Email: asubramaniam@ucmerced.edu

 

Escobar, Ariel

Bioengineering Professor  

Calcium in cardiac cellular signaling and techniques to study cardiac cells in vivo

Lab website

Email: aescobar4@ucmerced.edu

 

Gopinath, Arvind

Bioengineering Assistant Professor  

The origin of function in living matter at scales ranging from the molecular to multicellular.

Lab website

Email: agopinath@ucmerced.edu

 

Visel, Axel

Molecular and Cell Biology, Joint Genome Institute Adjunct Professor  

Human functional genomics and enhancers in development and disease

Lab website

Email: avisel@ucmerced.edu

 

Liu, Bin

Physics Assistant Professor  

Transport of microorganisms in complex environments, mechanics of biological media and mechanical metamaterials

Lab website

Email: bliu27@ucmerced.edu

 

Frank, Carolin

Life and Environmental Sciences Professor Plant microbiomes; function, community assembly, transmission, and dispersal

Our current work is on microbiomes in plants in natural ecosystems. We are always open to collaborating on new systems.

Lab website

Email: cfrank3@ucmerced.edu

 

Li, Changqing

Bioengineering Professor  

Cancer imaging, cancer therapy, fluorescence molecular tomography, x-ray imaging, biomedical imaging system and algorithm

Lab website

Email: cli32@ucmerced.edu

 

Ardell, David

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor Computational biology and evolution of gene expression mechanisms

We use machine learning, data science and multi-scale theoretical models to investigate the evolutionary systems biology of tRNA-protein interactions.

Lab website

Email: dardell@ucmerced.edu

 

Moran, Emily

Life and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Evolutionary ecology of plant responses to environmental change

Observational and experimental ecological data, genetic markers, and statistical and simulation modeling to address questions about plant population biology. 

Lab website

Email: emoran5@ucmerced.edu

 

Bennett, Gordon

Life and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Evolution of animal-microbial symbioses

How complex animal-microbe symbioses co-evolve and shape biological diversity. How ecological opportunity shapes insect evolution and diversity.

Lab website

Email: gbennett2@ucmerced.edu

 

Geekiyanage, Hirosha

Bioengineering Assistant Professor  

The properties of intracellular miRNA and extracellular miRNA and their contribution to viral infections, disease pathologies, disease diagnosis and treatment.

Lab website

Email: dgeekiyanage@ucmerced.edu

 

Xu, Jing

Physics Associate Professor Experimental biophysics, quantitative biology single-molecule analysis of molecular motors

we study nature's nano-engine called molecular motors.

Lab website

Email: jxu8@ucmerced.edu

 

Yeakel, Justin

Life and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor  

Ecological and evolutionary studies on individual, population, and community function through theory, statistical approaches, and sometimes even data.

Lab website

Email: jyeakel@ucmerced.edu

 

Hoyer, Katrina

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor  

Immune dysfunction mechanisms leading to disease. We focus on autoimmune disease and host immunity to Coccidioides.

Lab website

Email: khoyer2@ucmerced.edu

 

Beaster-Jones, Laura

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Teaching Professor  

 

Lab website

Email: lbeaster-jones@ucmerced.edu

 

Hirst, Linda

Physics Professor Experimental soft matter physics and biophysics

In our lab we focus on developing and investigating new soft materials inspired by nano-science and biology. 

Lab website

Email: lhirst@ucmerced.edu

 

Sogin, Maggie

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor  

How microorganisms interact with eukaryotic hosts and their environment. Cross-disciplinary metabolomic and meta'omic approaches with experimental and computational analyses.

Lab website

Email: esogin@ucmerced.edu

 

Garcia-Ojeda, Marcos

Molecular and Cell Biology Teaching Professor Discipline-Based Education Research, didactic methods, microbiology

 

Lab website

Email: mgarcia-ojeda@ucmerced.edu

 

Zoghbi, Maria

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor  

Currently our research is mainly focused on the little studied human mitochondrial ABC transporters.

Lab website

Email: mzoghbi@ucmerced.edu

 

Colvin, Michael

Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor  

In my research group, we perform such simulations to answer biochemical questions about protein and nucleic acid systems that are highly flexible. 

Lab website

Email: mcolvin@ucmerced.edu

 

Dawson, Michael

Life and Environmental Sciences Professor Biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and comparative genomics.

 

Lab website

Email: mdawson@ucmerced.edu

Yes

Cleary, Mike

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor  

 

Lab website

Email: mcleary4@ucmerced.edu

 

Barlow, Miriam

Molecular and Cell Biology Professor  

Our research focuses on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Our lab is investigating several approaches to combat the threat of resistance.

Lab website

Email: mbarlow@ucmerced.edu

 

Saha, Ramendra

Molecular and Cell Biology Associate Professor  

The Saha laboratory is a venture in neuronal signal transduction, gene transcription and neuroepigenetics. 

Lab website

Email: rsaha3@ucmerced.edu

 

Roy, Scott

Molecular and Cell Biology Adjunct Associate Professor  

 

Lab website

Email: sroy5@ucmerced.edu

 

Khatri, Shilpa

Applied Mathematics Associate Professor  

The focus of the Khatri Lab is fluid dynamics arising in the context of biological and marine phenomena, such as the transport of nutrients, organisms, and pollutants in the ocean.

Lab website

Email: skhatri3@ucmerced.edu

 

Materna, Stefan

Molecular and Cell Biology Assistant Professor Genomic control of gene expression, gene regulatory networks in organismal development.

We are a developmental biology lab interested in how the information encoded in the genome directs embryonic development.

Lab website

Email: smaterna@ucmerced.edu

 

Tringe, Susannah

Life and Environmental Sciences, Joint Genome Institute Adjunct Professor  

Research in the Tringe group focuses on sequence-based approaches to studying microbial community assembly, function and dynamics. 

Lab website

Email: stringe@ucmerced.edu

 

Woyke, Tanja

Life and Environmental Sciences, Joint Genome Institute Adjunct Professor  

Research in the Woyke laboratory focuses on the utility of single-cell methods to access genetic material of uncultivated taxa of interest.

Lab website

Email: twoyke@ucmerced.edu

 

Munoz Van Den Eynde, Victor

Bioengineering Professor  

Our group’s research interests are on the areas of Molecular Biophysics and Synthetic Molecular Biology.

Lab website

Email: vmunoz3@ucmerced.edu

 

Chin, Wei-Chun

Bioengineering Professor  

 

Lab website

Email: wchin2@ucmerced.edu

 

Wang, Zhong

Molecular and Cell Biology, Joint Genome Institute Professor  

 

Lab website

Email: zwang37@ucmerced.edu