Villanueva Lab
We have a talented group of scientists who are dedicated to understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate adipocyte programming and biology.
Current Lab Members
Lucydalila Cedillo
Education:
BS, University of California, Davis
PhD, Harvard University
Research:
Adipose tissue expansion has limits. Understanding the factors that promote expansion of adipose tissue during health and disease will be key to finding interventions for treating diseases like type 2 diabetes. Using CRISPR-Cas9 we will identify critical regulators of adipocyte differentiation.
Awards:
2022-2025 IRACDA Fellowship -University of California, Los Angeles
2018, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship -Harvard University
2016, University Medal - University of California, Davis
2016, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Scholar - University of California, Davis
Mirian Krystel De Siqueira
Education:
MSc, State University of Campinas & National Institutes of Health
Research:
The adipocyte life cycle involves a complex and highly orchestrated program of gene and protein expression. However, in vivo, detailed mechanisms underlying the molecular regulation are incompletely understood. My major research interest relies on studying novel nutrient-sensing genes and how they have an impact on adipose tissue homeostasis.
Awards:
2020, Ursula Mandel Fellowship
2021, Graduate Council Diversity Fellowship
2022, Mautner Graduate Award
Sicheng Melissa Zhang
Education:
MSc, Shandong Agricultural University
Research:
The adipose tissue controls systemic energy metabolism by providing energy during times when peripheral energy demands are high. Adipocytes promote the release of free fatty acids that are important in providing signals to regulate metabolism in the liver. How the liver integrates cues from the adipose tissue is not well understood. I’m using CRISPR-Cas9 to test the in vivo rule of putative integrators on hepatic lipid metabolism. These studies will identify potential targets to treat conditions like fatty liver disease.
Awards:
2021, Eureka Scholarship
Jakeline Larios
Education:
BS, University of California, Los Angeles
Awards:
2022, Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Research: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering
2021, 2021 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Digital Conference Student Presentation Award
Ezekiel Delgado
Awards:
2020-2023, NIH MARC Scholar
Jasmine Tzeng
Awards:
2022, Lorraine H. and Masuo Toji Undergraduate Scholarship for Excellence in Chemistry
2021, Joan Palevsky Endowed Honors and Undergraduate Research Scholarship;
2020, Ethel Terry McCoy Award for Outstanding Women Students in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Past Lab Members
Kelly Kiremidjian | Student at UConn School of Medicine
Arthe Raajendiran, PhD | Monash University
Arshi Arjomandi | Student at Jacobs School Of Medicine And Biomedical Sciences
Vanja Panic, PhD | Senior Research Analyst
James Banks, PhD | University of Utah
Stephanie Pearson, PhD | Academic Consulting
Gisela Geoghegan, PhD | Postdoc, University of Wisconsin
Judith Simcox, PhD | Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin
Jarred Helm, PhD | Scientist at BioFire Diagnostics, UT
Brianna Carrera | Chaffey College, CA
Sanghoon Lee, PhD | Graduate Student at University of Pittsburgh
Mark Gurling, PhD | Scientist at BioFire Diagnostics, UT
Interested in joining our lab? We’re looking for eager undergraduate, graduate students and postdocs who are interested in studying integrative metabolism.
