Project scientist (2023.11 – present)
Hope Shi
Hometown: Dalian, China
Degree: PhD in Neuroscience, University of Calgary
Scientific Hero:
About:
Email: hshi44[at]ucsc.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar (2023.11 – present)
Jean de Dieu Habimana
Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda
Degree: PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UCAS
Scientific Hero: Jennifer Doudna
About Habimana: I enjoy spending time with my family, playing, and watching soccer. My current research interests involve Directed Evolution, as well as Molecular- and protein-based diagnostics.
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why? I would be a microscope, helping to visualize the invisible in various research.
Email: jhabiman[at]ucsc.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar (2024.1 – present)
Xue Peng
Hometown: Changsha, China
Degree: PhD in Chemical and Industrial Biological Engineering, Tsinghua University
Scientific Hero: Sergey Ovchinnikov
About:I enjoy relaxing at home, eating out with friends, volunteering, and meeting new people. My research interest is in the computational design of proteins, and I love seeing designs created on a computer that prove to be practically useful.
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why? A GPU – extremely efficient at computation.
Email: xpeng26[at]ucsc.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar (2024.11 – present)
Chenggang Xi
Hometown: Wuxi, China
Degree: PhD in EECE, Washington University in St. Louis
Scientific Hero: James Collins
About: I am interested in developing macromolecular switches for diagnostics and computer-aided high-throughput screening methods for drug discovery.
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why? Automated liquid handler, I enjoy designing and programming workflows in advance, and looking for efficient ways to scale up processes through automation.
Email: cxi31[at]ucsc.edu
BMEB PhD student (2024.3 – present)
Julie Chen
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan
Degree: Pharm.D. in Department of Pharmacy, NYCU
Scientific Hero: David Baker
About: I like swimming and eating snacks. I want to go to an island for vacation every year!!
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why? I would be the Akta cause it is the most expensive machine in our lab.
Email: jchen755[at]ucsc.edu
MS Student (2023.9 – present)
Estrella Arteaga Organiz
Hometown: San Diego, California
Degree: B.S. General Biology
Scientific Hero: Mae Jemison
About: If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why? I would be an incubator because I appreciate growth and development.
Email: esdartea[at]ucsc.edu
CB3 PhD student (2024.6 – present)
Gia Wicaksono
Hometown: Ithaca, NY
Degree: B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology, UC Berkeley
Scientific Hero: Frances Arnold
About: I like to ski, concoct new sauces in the kitchen, and hang out with my friends. My research interests lie in de novo protein design for diagnostics and therapeutics.
If you were a piece of lab equipment what would you be and why? Eppendorf Xplorer® 12-channel pipettor because they can switch modes quickly and is great for multitasking.
Email: gwicakso[at]ucsc.edu
BMEB PhD student (2024.7 – present)
William Sobolewski
Hometown: San Diego, California
Degree: BS in Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
Scientific Hero: Sir Brian May
About: “With a passion for both computational and experimental protein design, I am excited about the future possibilities of de novo proteins to address global challenges and create sustainable solutions.”
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why?
I’d be a thermal cycler: dynamic, precise, and reliable!
Email: wsobolew[at]ucsc.edu
Junior Specialist (2024.9 – present)
James Wang
Hometown: Venice, California
Degree: B.S. Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
Scientific Hero: Alan Turing
About: I enjoy testing new recipes in the kitchen and watching films. I want to visit all 7 continents!
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why?
I would be a lab coat because I got everybody’s back
Email: jwang52[at]ucsc.edu
Undergraduate student (2024.9 – present)
Andres Contreras
Hometown: Nipomo, CA
Degree: B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (in progress)
Scientific Hero: Harold E. Varmus
About Andres: I love to explore and take pictures anytime I have freetime. Whether I am biking, hiking, or snowshoeing as long as I have time I will be there.
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why?Bunsen burner, I bring energy and precision into what I am do while keeping things balanced and under control.
Email: acontr30[at]ucsc.edu
Undergraduate student (2024.10 – present)
Saskia Bautista
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Degree: B.S. in Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics (in progress)
Scientific Hero:
About: I assist Will with his research! Outside of the lab, I love matcha, going to the beach , and spending time with my friends and family.
If you were a lab equipment what would you be and why?
A petri dish, because I’m always here to support the team’s culture!
Email: sababaut[at]ucsc.edu