Martin Jonikas

PI

I obtained my Ph.D. from UC San Francisco where I was mentored by Jonathan Weissman, Peter Walter and Maya Schuldiner. In my thesis project, we developed a novel high-throughput genetic strategy for identifying new genes with roles in protein folding in the secretory pathway, and for accurately predicting their functions.

I believe in a healthy work/life balance: work hard, play hard. Vacation and rest gives one a fresh perspective on one's projects and career, allowing one to be more productive in the long run. My hobbies over the years have included hang-gliding, windsurfing and Salsa dancing.

I am committed to providing a nurturing training environment for everyone in my lab. When I cannot provide mentorship or expertise myself, I will strive to help my lab members find additional mentors and resources.

CV

Ute Armbruster

Postdoc

I obtained my PhD from the LMU University of Munich, Germany in 2008 and stayed on in the lab of my PhD supervisor Dario Leister for my first postdoc. During this time I studied novel components important for plant photosynthesis.

Outside of lab, I hope to get around in California and meet interesting people!

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, do it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. – Goethe

Sean Blum

Volunteer

I received my B.S. in Biochemistry at UC San Diego.  While studying there I worked in the lab of Dr. Dong-Er Zhang to characterize the translational mechanisms of USP18, a protein involved in interferon treatment for cancer.  Although new to the study of Chlamydomonas, I find the research here to be rewarding—due in equal parts to the fascinating cell biology, the cutting edge techniques employed, and the welcoming lab environment.

Outside the lab, I am a private math tutor, as well as an amateur music producer.  I love tinkering with my music software, watching movies, and playing games with friends.

Elizabeth Freeman

Stanford Biology Graduate Student

I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2011 with a B.A. in Biology with a focus on Biochemistry.  While studying there I worked in the lab of Dr. Ursula Goodenough and wrote my senior thesis on late-zygotic microRNAs in Chlamydomonas.

I enjoy research because it is the ultimate logic puzzle.  Nature has solved complex problems billions of years before humans stumbled upon the same questions, and the ability to uncover the secrets of the world we think we know so well amazes me.

Outside of the lab I enjoy digital photography, hiking, reading, exploring the Bay area, and watching reality TV cooking shows – especially those involving dessert.

I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2009 with a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. While studying at Santa Clara, I worked with Dr. Craig Stephens to develop pathways for metabolism and regulation of common herteropolysaccharides in the freshwater bacterium Caulobacter crescentus.

I enjoy doing research because there are so many unknowns. Any research question can serve as the springboard to hundreds more. It is a constant but rewarding challenge that requires me to think in innovative ways on a daily basis.

When not in the lab I enjoy spending time with close friends and visiting my family. I also love competing in any type of sport or game. My favorites are basketball, football, and snowboarding, but there are few challenges I won’t accept. When I want to relax, or I’m feeling lazy, I like to go to the movies or read a book by the pool.

Leif Pallesen

Postdoc

I completed my thesis research in 2010 at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the laboratory of Dr. William Walden. The core of my work revolved around elucidating the mechanism of extra-mitochondrial iron sulfur cluster protein maturation in Saccharomyces cereviciae.

The pursuit of understanding life at the molecular level has been an exciting journey. The similarities of living systems at the molecular level are indeed remarkable. This potentiates the integration of pathways of various organisms to create living systems that are optimized for specific functions.  My overall goal as a scientist is to generate understanding of relevant pathways and use this understanding to guide the engineering of novel living systems.

When not doing science I enjoy being outside. Whether riding my bike, camping or just relaxing under a tree, I find myself enjoying being a part of life.

Weronika Patena

Bioinformatics Analyst

I graduated from Caltech with B.S. degrees in Biology and Computer Science.  I spent over 4 years in the McManus lab at UCSF, researching shRNA design and developing a data analysis pipeline for RNAi screens. 

I started out doing more benchwork than bioinformatics, but my interest has shifted to applying my programming skills to analysis of experimental data and developing tools for others to use.  New large-scale screens made possible by the advances in deep-sequencing provide a lot of data that we’re still learning how to get the most from, and plenty of interesting computational problems. I very much enjoy both thinking about the best way to do the analysis, and the process of writing efficient and flexible programs. My favorite programming language is Python.

I have too many hobbies, including rock-climbing, hiking, role-playing games, skiing, various crafts, and occasional photography - but most of the time I just stay in to read and relax in the evenings. I love to travel to visit friends and family in Poland and all over the US when I have the time, but Northern California is my favorite place to live.

I obtained my B.S. in Biology from LMU, Munich, Germany. There, I was mentored by Dr. Iris Finkemeier. My bachelor thesis project was on the protein-biochemical characterization of the Arabidopsis citrate synthase.

What I like most about science is the discovery of the previously unknown. I am fascinated by life on earth with its complexity and (im)perfections. There is still so much to find out about it, and I really like the idea that with my work I might contribute to a better understanding of a small or maybe even bigger aspect of it.

Outside the lab, I hope to meet new people and have a great time in the Bay area.

Mia Terashima

Postdoc

I attended the University of Münster, Germany for my graduate studies, finishing my doctorate in the spring of 2011.  During my dissertation research, I was mentored by Michael Hippler, and I studied the anaerobic response and changes occurring in the chloroplast proteome of Chlamydomonas.

I enjoy scientific research because of its diverse nature of work that requires reading, planning, performing experiments, analyzing and writing. I am repeatedly amazed at how perfectly biological systems are coordinated and how even small organisms can be so complex.

In my free time, I like to spend time outdoors, cook together with friends and travel whenever possible.

Ru Zhang

Postdoc

I got my Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009. During my graduate study, I worked with Dr. Tom Sharkey to investigate the effects of moderate heat stress on thylakoid reactions of photosynthesis in light-adapted, intact Arabidopsis and tobacco leaves.

Science research is enjoyable. Interesting and puzzling phenomena in my research work drive me to propose hypotheses and design experiments to test them. It is this process that gives me huge excitement about research and makes me feel like a science detective. I am also impressed by elegant and complex regulatory mechanisms in biological organisms, and amazed by how they respond to changing environment to protect themselves.

Outside lab, I like cooking, gardening, and traveling. Balanced and tasteful meals make me healthy and energetic. My favorite place for relaxation is a beautiful garden where I feel fresh and appreciate the beauty of the world. One of my biggest dreams is to travel around world with my family. The time I spend with my family is rewarded with passion for life and enthusiasm for work.