People

One cannot handle great ideas alone, and hence, we have a smart and talented team of individuals who know something more than any one of us.

Pradipta Ghosh, M.D

Principal Investigator
Founding Director, Institute for Network Medicine [iNetMed.ucsd.edu]

Founding Director, Center for Precision Computational Systems Network [Center for PreCSN]
Founding Director, HUMANOID^TM Center of Research Excellence (CoRE)

Founding Director, Agilent Center of Excellence in Cellular Intelligence [Agilent CoE]

Founding Co-Director, Consortium for Cell-Inspired Systems Engineering [ConCISE]

Email: prghosh@ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link
Celia Espinoza, Ph.D
B.S in Biology; M.S in Biology;
Ph.D in Human Biology (University of Ulm, Germany).
Current Position: Staff Research Associate
Laboratory and Area Safety Manager (2020-present)
Email: c2espinoza@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link
Stephanie Aviles

Current Position: Staff Research Associate

Previous Position: Student Research Assistant (2021-2024)

email: s1aviles@health.ucsd.edu
Naieemah Mershon, A.S, B.S
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, California State University, Long Beach
Associate of Science in Science and Mathematics, Cuyamaca College
Current Position: Staff Research Associate
(June 2024- present)
Email: nmershon@health.ucsd.edu

Postdoctoral Fellows & Project Scientists

Gajanan D. Katkar, Ph.D.
Doctorate of Biochemistry
University of Mysore; India.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Scholar (Project Scientist, Feb 2023)
(2019 - present)
Email: kgajanandattatray@ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link
Suchismita Roy, Ph.D.
Doctorate of Life Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow (2018- present)
Email: suroy@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link
Madhubanti (Preitu) Mullick, Ph.D.
Doctorate of Stem cell biology & Regenerative Medicine from Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, India.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow (2020- present)
Email: mmullick@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link
Saptarshi Sinha, Ph.D.
Doctorate in Systems Biology, Bose Institute Kolkata, India.
Departments of Physics and Microbiology; Current position: Fellow, Computational Immunology.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow (2021-Present)
Email: sasinha@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link
Harrison Penrose, M.D, Ph.D.

Doctorate in Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine
Current Positition: Gastroenterology Fellow (June 2024 – Current)
UC San Diego NIH T32 Training Program
Email: hpenrose@health.ucsd.edu
Parminder Kaur, Ph.D.
Doctorate in Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR)
Current Position: Postdoctoral Scholar (September 2025- Current)
Email: p4kaur@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Graduate Students

Mahitha Shree Anandachar, B.S., M.S.

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology and Masters of Science in Biochemistry, University of Mysuru, Mysuru, India.
University of California, San Diego
Previous Position: Staff Research Associate (2021- 2023)

Current Position: UCSD Biomedical Sciences PhD Student (2023-present)
Email: manandachar@health.ucsd.edu
Ella McLaren, B.S

Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cell Biology
University of California, San Diego
Previous Position: Staff Research Associate (2024- 2025)

Current Position: Graduate Student: UC San Diego MSTP (M.D/Ph.D) Student (2025-present)
Email: egmclaren@health.ucsd.edu
Megan Estanol, B.S

Masters in Biology (graduate student 2023-Current)

Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cell Biology (2023)

University of California, San Diego

Previous Position: Student Reasearch Voulunteer

Email: mlestanol@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Gajanan Katkar
Irene Hsieh, B.S

Masters in Biology (graduate student 2024-Current)

Bachelor of Science, General Biology (2020-2024)

University of California, San Diego

Previous Position: Student Reasearch Voulunteer

Email: chsieh@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Madhu Mullick

Linked In: Profile Link

Student Research Volunteers

Vaidehi Zala

Student Research Volunteer; BS Neurobiology and Minor in Classical Studies (2023-2027)

Email: vzala@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Mahitha Shree
Lauren Yerger

Student Research Volunteer; BS Molecular and Cell Biology and Minor in Bioethics (2023-2027)

Email: lyerger@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Gajanan Katkar

Linked In: Profile Link
Adarsh Krishnamurthy

Student Research Volunteer; BS Human Biology and Minor in Human Developmental Sciences (2023-2027)

Email: akrishnamurthy@ucsd.edu

Linked In: Profile Link
Vaishali Jain

Student Research Volunteer; B.S. Molecular and Cell Biology; B.S Global Health; and Minor in Bioethics (2023 - 2027)

Email: v2jain@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Mahitha Shree

Linked In: Profile Link
Jenna Hitchcock

Student Research Volunteer; BS/MS Human Biology Major and Minor in Chemistry (2021-2027)

Email: jhitchcock@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Suchismita Roy

LinkedIn: Profile Link
Ritvik Ivaturi

Student Research Volunteer; B.S. Human Biology, B.S. Global Health, and Minor in Cognitive Science (2024-2028)

email: riivaturi@ucsd.edu
Aarya Parikh

Student Reasearch Volunteer; B.S. Human Biology and Minor in Buisness Economics (2022-2026)

email: aparikh@ucsd.edu

Mentor: Madhubanti Mullick

LinkedIn: Profile Link

Past Lab Members

Ella Mclaren
Staff Research Assitant (2021 - 2024)
Staff Research Associate; CCFA Fellow in Mucosal Immunology (2024 2025)
Email: emclaren@ucsd.edu
Current Position: MSTP Graduate Student

Jasmin Salem, B.S
Student Research Volunteer (2022 - 2025)
Email: jssalem@ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Sannidhi Krovvidi, B.S
Student Research Volunteer (2023 - 2025)
Email: skrovvidi@ucsd.edu

Christine Hsu, B.S, M.S
Student Research Volunteer (2023 - 2025)
Email: s3hsu@ucsd.edu

Michelle Nacayama, B.S, M.S
Student Research Volunteer (2021 - 2024)
Email: mnacayam@ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Rachid Taouil Hammouti, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Fellow (2022 - 2024)
Email: rhammouti@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Raktim Mukherjee, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Fellow (2022 - 2024)
Email: ramukherjee@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Stephanie Aviles
Student Research Assistant (2021-2024)

Sinclair Williams, B.S, M.S
Student Research Volunteer (2022-2024)
Current Status: Eli Lilly and Company
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Ellie Tam, B.S.
Student Research Volunteer (2023-2024)

Jung Tzen Liew, B.S.
Student Research Volunteer (2021-2023)
Current Status: Software Test Engineer, Illumina
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Emma Kelly
Student Research Volunteer (2023)
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Tram Nguyen
Student Research Volunteer (2023)
Email: t3nguyen@ucsd.edu

Vanessa Castillo, B.S.
Staff Research Associate (2019-2023)
Current Status: UCSD Biomedical Sciences PhD Student
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Mahitha Shree Anandachar, B.S., M.S.
Staff Research Associate (2019-2023)
Current Status: UCSD Biomedical Sciences PhD Student
LinkedIn: Profile Link

David Chen, B.S., M.S.
Student Research Volunteer (2021-2023)
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Ananta Silas, B.S., M.S.
Student Research Volunteer (2021-2023)
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Caroline Biggs
Student Research Volunteer (2021-2023)
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Sarah Malko
Student Research Volunteer (2021-2023)
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Daniele Parisi, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Fellow (2021-22) Email: dparisi@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Amer Mohammed, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-22) Email: aam002@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Priti P. Maity, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (2020 – 2021) Email: pmaitysr@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Karolin Meyer, PhD
Doctorate in Medical Sciences (University of Groningen, The Nederland's)
Fellow, Cancer Immunology.
Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-2020)
Email: karolin.f.meyer@gmail.edu
Current status: Postdoctoral Fellow

Jason Ear, Ph.D. (2015-2020)
NCI T32 Fellow (2015-2016)
ACS fellow (2016-2020)
Current status: Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Cal State, Calpoly

Navin Rajapakse (2017-2020)
SDSU-UCSD exchange student (2017-2018)
Staff Research Associate, Ghosh Lab (2019-2020)
Current status: Research Assoc. BioTheryX

Kwaku (Boadi) Agyekum, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow (2018-2019)
Current status: Profile Link

Rachel Lui
UG Student Research Associate (2017-2020)
Current status: Profile Link

Pranavi Chhamarthi
Undergraduate Student, UCSD
Student Research Assistant (2015-2020)
Current status: Profile Link

Julie Choi
Undergraduate Student, UCSD
Student Research Assistant (2018 - 2020)
Current status: Profile Link

Brian Long Nguyen
Undergraduate Student Ghosh Lab (2019-2020)
Current status: Profile Link

Karolin Meyer, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-2020)
Current status: Profile Link

Bruna DeFreitas (2019-2020)
Lab Manager/SRA
Current status: SRA, Moores Cancer Center

Lee Andrew Boland Swanson
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student,
(2014-2020)
NIDDK Predoctoral Fellow (2015-2018)
Current status: Postdoctoral fellow, UCSD

Nicholas (Nick) Kalogriopoulos
Biomedical Sciences Graduate student,
(2013- 2019)
NCI Cancer Cell Biology Predoctoral Fellow (Aug 2014-July 2016)
Current Status: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford

Alyse Steves Ph.D. (Apr 2019- Nov 2019)
Doctorate in Genetics and Molecular Biology; Emory University, Atlanta GA.
Cancer Biology and Omics (CBIO) T32 Fellow
Current: Scientist I

Cristina Rohena Ph.D. (2015-2019)
Doctorate in Cell and Structural Biology (UTHSC at San Antonio)
Fellow, Moores Cancer Center.
Postdoctoral Fellow (2015-Present)
Cancer Therapeutics (CT2) T32 Fellow, Moores Cancer Center
Current: Scientist, Leica Microsystems

Ying Dunkel
MD & PhD in Pathology,
China Medical University
Staff Research Associate,
Ghosh Lab (October, 2010-June 2019)

Yash Mittal, M.D, (2016-2018)
UCSD School of Medicine; Internal Medicine Residency (Yale),
Current: Graduated GI Fellowship program UC San Diego; Staff Physician: Scripps Gastroenterology.

Linda P. Joosen, B.Sc, Molecular Biology
Staff Research Associate (2016 - 2018)
Specialization: Molecular Cytology, Genetics and Cell biology; Live cell imaging
Current position: Field Sales, Confocal microscopes, Leica, U.K.

Evelyn Yang
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant, UCSD
(2016-Present)
Current status: Forensic Studies, DC.

Camille Delbrook
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant, UCSD
(2016-2017)

Somya Moyya
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant, UCSD
(2016-2017)

Trina Amog
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Ghosh Lab (2014-2016)
Current status: Dermatology scribe, UCSD.

Daniel Tang
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant, UCSD
(2016-2018)
Current Status: Community relations affiliate SFP 49'ers

Anokhi Saklecha
Undergraduate Student, UCSD
Student Research Assistant (2015-2018)
Current status: Intern at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, United States

Precious Moman
Undergraduate Student, SDSU
Student Research Assistant (2016-2016)
Current status: enrolled in BS at SDSU

Jasmine (Ping-Ping) Wong (2008-2010)
Undergraduate Student, Biology
(Currently working for Pfizer)

Jessica L. Mendez (2009-2010)
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Current Status: Medical Student, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Patrick Kiertrsunthorn (2009-2010)
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Current Status: Medical Student, University of Alabama

Michelle Aida (2009-2010)
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Current Status: Intern Pharmacist at Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA

Jason Ear
Undergraduate student trainee, Ghosh Lab (2008-2010);
McNair Scholar
Current Status: Postdoc Fellow, UCSD.

Victor Tran (2008-2012)
Undergraduate Student, Biochem and Cell Biology

Ghid Bahoo
Undergraduate student
2019- 2021

Yashaswat Malhotra, BS/MS (2019- 2022)
BS/MS student, Immunology;
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Daniel Toobian, BS/MS (2019- 2021)
BS/MS student, Immunology;
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Jane E. Coates (2018- 2021)
Undergraduate student, Cell Biology;
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Brandon Biagas, BS/MS (2020- 2022)
BS/MS student, Cancer Cell Biology;
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Christine (Ziqi) Yu (2020- 2021)
Undergraduate student, Cell Biology;
LinkedIn: Profile Link

Adel Adel (2019- 2022)
Undergraduate student, Pre-Med and Cell Biology

Ghid Bahoo (2019 - 2021)
Undergraduate Student, Pre-Med and Cell Biology

Christine Leiva (2010 - 2012)
"Bill and Melinda Gates Scholar"
Undergraduate Student, Hum Biol and Cell Biology

Andrew Ong, BS/MS
Masters Student, Biology
Ghosh Lab (Dec, 2008-2012)
Current Status: Medical student, St. Louis University

Melanie B. Laederich, PhD
PhD in Cellular and Developmental biology,
Oregon Health & Science University,
Postdoctoral Fellow, Ghosh Lab (June, 2012-2013)

Nina Sun
(Lab Manager; May 2013 - May 2019)

Yelena Pavlova
(Lab Manager; Mar 2009-April 2013)

Edgar Zatik Zatikyan
Undergraduate Student (2012-2013)

Priya Chakrabarti
Undergraduate Student (2011-2013)

Shabnam Pedram
Masters in Biology Student, (2011-2013)
Current Status: Graduate: Ostrow School of Dentistry, USC

Jeremy Lin
Masters in Biology Student (2012-2013)

Margaret Chiu
Medical Student (2013-Present)
AHA Student Research Award (2013-2014)

Gary S. Ma
Medical Student, UCSD
Doris Duke Research Fellow (2013-2014)
Current Status: Chief Medical Resident in Internal Medicine, UC San Diego

Fang He, MD, PhD
Visiting Scholar, Ghosh Lab (2014-2015)
Current Status:
Associate Professor, Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, PRC

Inmaculada Lopez-Sanchez, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2015)
AHA Fellow (2014-2015)
Current Status:
Recipient of Juan de la Cierva Fellowship; CICbioGUNE, Spain

I-Chung Lo, PhD
Doctorate in Cell Biology
National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine
Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2016)
Current Position:
Staff Scientist at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA.

Arjun Patel
MS Biology student
Ghosh Lab (2014-2015)
Current Position: Medical Student (M.D)

Harsharan Dhillon
Undergraduate Student
Ghosh Lab (2013-2016)

Ninvita Givarkes
Undergraduate Student, UCSD
Ghosh Lab (2015-2016)

Lawrence Liu
Undergraduate Student
Ghosh Lab (2013-2015)

Nicolas Aznar, PhD.
Postdoctoral fellow (2011-2016)

Current status: Faculty at the National Center For Scientific Research (CNRS), Lyon, FRANCE

Priyal Thakur
Masters Student in Bioengineering
Ghosh Lab (2013-2014)

Magda Holda
Undergraduate Student
Bioengineering: Biotech
Ghosh Lab (April 2011-Jun 2014)

Priyanka Mehlawat
Research Assistant (Volunteer)
Ghosh Lab 2014-2015
Current Status: Scientist, Eli Lilly, San Diego

Olivia Chang
Undergraduate student, UCSD
Student Research Assistant, Ghosh Lab (2014-2015)

Krishna Midde, PhD
PhD in Biochemistry and Chemistry
University of Northern Texas Health Health Sciences (UNTHSC)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Ghosh Lab (June 2013-2015)
Current Position: Staff Scientist, Ventana, Inc., Tucson Arizona.

Jacky W. Lu
Undergraduate Student, UCSD
Student Research Assistant (2015-Present)
Senior Honors Thesis Program (2016-2016)

Firooz Kabir
Undergraduate Student
Ghosh Lab (2013-2016)

Blaze B. Lim
Bachelor of Science (BS)
University of California, San Diego
Research Associate (2017- 2019)
Email: bblim@ucsd.edu

Yohan Penny
Undergraduate student trainee, Ghosh Lab (Nov 2009-March 2011)
Current Status: Research Associate ROKA Bioscience, San Diego, CA

Changsheng Lin, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Ghosh Lab (2009-2010
Current Status: Postdoctoral fellow at The David J Gladstone Research Institute, San Francisco, CA

Yash Mittal (2009-2012)
Graduate Medical Student, UC San Diego
Sarah Rogers Fellow, 2010
Current Status: First year medical student, Yale University School of Medicine

Daniel Toobian
Email: dtoobian@ucsd.edu
2019 - 2021 (MS Biology)

Christine (Ziqi) Yu
Undergraduate student
2020- 2021

Albert Nguyen
Student Research Assistant (2020-21)
Email: aqnguyen@health.ucsd.edu
LinkedIn: Profile Link