Lab Members

Marisa Medina, PhD

Principal Investigator

Marisa received her Ph.D. in Genetics with a Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology from UC Davis. She is recognized for her research on cholesterol metabolism and pharmacogenomics, the study of genetic variation in drug response. Her research utilizes human genetic variation to discover new genes, pathways and mechanisms that contribute to inter-individual differences in the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease, as well as response to statins, the most commonly prescribed cardiovascular disease drug. Through these efforts she pioneered the use of patient-derived cell lines as a model system for identifying biomarkers of drug response. When not in lab, Marisa can be found outside on the slopes, in the water, or on the trail.

[email protected]

Elizabeth Theusch, PhD

Assistant Professional Researcher

A Wisconsin native, Beth received a B.S. in Genetics and Biochemistry from UW-Madison, a Ph.D. from UCSF in Biomedical Sciences, and postdoctoral training with Marisa Medina and Ron Krauss at CHORI. In her research, Beth applies computational biology and statistical genetics approaches to the study of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and statin pharmacogenomics. In addition to collaborating with Dr. Medina on a variety of projects, Beth's independent research interest is studying how menopause impacts women's cardiometabolic disease risk. Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, children, pets, and plants.

[email protected]

Yuanyuan Qin, PhD

Assistant Professional Researcher

Yuanyuan received her PhD at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she did her thesis work on the breast cancer microenvironment and macrophage inflammation. She completed her post-doctoral training in the laboratories of Drs. Marisa Medina and Ronald Krauss, focusing on PI(4,5)P2 as a key regulator of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. She is now studying the role of TMEM55B as a modulator of mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism. Outside of lab Yuanyuan loves rock climbing, cats, hiking, and wine-tasting.

[email protected]

Yu-Lin Kuang, PhD

Specialist

Yu-Lin received her Ph.D. from Tufts University, and postdoctoral training with Dr. Ronald Krauss at CHORI. The major focus of her research has been the identification of molecular mechanisms responsible for genetic, dietary, or pharmacologic effects on lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk. Utilizing patient-derived iPSCs and other mammalian cellular models, she is currently studying the role of microRNAs in beta-cell function and statin-induced new onset diabetes. In her free time, Yu-Lin enjoys traveling and being outdoors with her family.

[email protected]

Yuqing Zhang

PhD student

Yuqing (Eliza) Zhang is a PhD student in metabolic biology at UC Berkeley, studying the molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases. She's a self-described  crazy cat lover, and she enjoys building Legos and sewing.

mailto:[email protected]

Sheila Teker

Sheila graduated from UC Berkeley in 2025 with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology (emphasis in Medical Biology and Physiology) and minoring in Global Poverty and Practice.  She started in the Medina Lab as a high school student with the SSRP Program in 2022, and enjoys being able to now work with mentoring other students! Next year, she plans to pursue an MD-PhD. 

Outside of the lab, she is involved in the Suitcase Women’s Clinic, is an intern at the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (expanding harm reduction resources and training), works as a Life Enrichment Assistant at an assisted living and memory care facility, and volunteers at both UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Primary Care Clinic.

Leela Venkatesan

Leela is graduating from UC Berkeley in 2026, majoring in Chemical Biology in the College of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology (with an emphasis in Neurobiology) and minoring in Global Poverty & Practice. Outside of classes and research, she is a phlebotomist, volunteers at the Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center, providing basic needs and housing resources to the unhoused community in Berkeley and serves as the President of the Sage Mentorship Project (UC Berkeley’s largest one-on-one mentoring organization for local elementary school students in Oakland and El Cerrito). Leela also serves on the Community Projects Executive Committee for the Public Service Center at Cal. In her free time, Leela enjoys dancing and teaching ballet!

Julia Su

Julia is graduating from UC Berkeley studying Integrative Biology and Education. She is currently part of various student organizations, including the International Healthcare Association, Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières, Pre-Medical Honor Society, STEM Ed. at Berkeley, and Cal Community Music. She will stay on in the lab as a post-bac volunteer for the next 6 months. In her free time, Julia enjoys working out, baking, working with her hands, and playing random instruments like the piano, violin, and guitar. 

Aishanee Acharyya

Aishanee is a third-year student at UC Berkeley, majoring in molecular and cell biology (MCB) with a double minor in music and public health. She is also involved with a department-sponsored biology club called MCBcDNA, Asha for Education, University Choir, Premedical Honor Society, and the University Health Services. In her free time, she likes spending time with her friends, reading, singing, and trying out new restaurants and coffee shops.

Daniel Kim

Daniel joined the lab in the spring of 2025. He is currently a rising junior at UC Berkeley studying Microbial Biology and expects to graduate in 2028. His scientific interests are protein and bacterial manipulation, microbiology, and stem cell modeling. 

Anmol Bajwa

Anmol joined the lab during the spring semester of 2025. She is currently a junior at UC Berkeley studying Molecular and Cell Biology and Business Administration. Her previous lab experience was in an undergraduate public health lab at UC Berkeley and she is a current member of the California Health Professional Student Alliance as an advocacy committee member. She is the co-founder and COO of the Kern Volunteers United group that provides community service to high school students in Kern County. She speaks Punjabi and Spanish and enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, traveling, and research.

Arman Nazarizadeh

Arman, who joined the lab in the summer of 2025, is graduating with a double major in Molecular and Cell Biology and Nutrition and Metabolic Biology. With aspirations to attend medical school, Arman is particularly interested in the intersection of nutrition and medicine, especially in understanding the mechanistic pathways underlying metabolic health and disease. His academic curiosity is driven by a desire to bridge basic science with clinical impact. Outside the lab, Arman enjoys spending time in nature, working out, and studying new languages.

Gavin Ngo

Gavin is currently (2025-6) a first-year UC Berkeley undergraduate double-majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) and Music and joined the Medina Lab in the Spring of 2026. He is an active member of the cardiovascular committee in Berkeley's American Medical Student Association chapter. He is also involved in the MCB undergraduate student association, a department-sponsored organization where he mentors high school students in the Berkeley area. In his free time, he loves to play basketball and make song covers on the guitar and piano.

Shana joined the lab in 2025, working with Dr. Theusch. She is currently studying molecular and cell biology and data science at UC Berkeley and expects to graduate in 2026. Her previous work includes using AI to analyze bioinformatics and investigating gene evolution in leeches. She has volunteered as a chemistry tutor and biology lab assistant.

Shana Siddik

Jordan Le

Jordan, a second year Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) student, joined the lab in the summer of 2026 through the UC Berkeley COMPASS scholars' program. Growing up in Richmond, CA, a historically marginalized community with some of the highest cancer and respiratory disease rates in the state, has fueled his passion for modeling relevant diseases and eventually contributing to regenerative medicines.

Outside of the lab and school, he enjoys going to the gym, playing basketball, and spending time with friends and family back home in Richmond. He volunteers as a Navigating the University of California (NAVCAL) intern on campus: mentoring and coaching students to help them secure scholarships and internships, and expand access to higher education resources.

Christian Ghion

Christian, originally from Los Angeles, is a UC Berkeley student studying Molecular Environmental Biology with a minor in Global Public Health and joined the Medina lab in the summer of 2026 through the UC Berkeley COMPASS scholars' program.

Outside of the lab, he volunteers as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician at events, works for the University Health Services Tang Center in administration, teaches first-aid and Stop The Bleed classes, and serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant for a biology course. His personal interests include playing/watching soccer, photography, planespotting, and solo travelling to new countries.