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 the trail.

[email protected]

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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. She is especially passionate about studying sex and genetic ancestry differences in disease risk, normal metabolism, and drug response. Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, children, pets, and plants.

[email protected]

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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]

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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]

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Yuqing Zhang

PhD student

Hi! My name is Yuqing (Eliza) Zhang and I'm a first-year metabolic biology master's student at UC Berkeley. My goal is to proceed to a PhD degree and study molecular mechanisms behind human diseases. I'm a crazy cat lover and I also enjoy lego and sewing.

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Sheila Teker

Student Intern

Sheila is a first-year student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with an Immunology and Molecular Medicine/Infectious Disease emphasis, and intends to complete a Global Poverty and Practice Minor. Outside of class and the Medina Lab, she is involved in the ASUC as the Head of the Special Projects Department for one of the senator's offices (working on increasing accessibility to student resources), is a Staff Social Justice Writer for the Berkeley Vanguard newspaper, enjoys volunteering with elderly individuals in both Assisted Living and Memory Departments, and tutors high school students in chemistry, biology, and calculus. In her free time, she loves to bake, play the guitar, read, draw, paint, sculpt, and box (which she hopes to take up again soon when she can!). 

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Grace Lim

Student intern

I am a second-year undergraduate majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and minoring in Education at UC Berkeley. Outside the class, I am involved in Path To Care Center, ASUC associate, and University Health Services. I enjoy helping out elders with Alzheimer and students in Special Education. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, swimming, and spending time with my friends.  

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Leela Venkatesan

Student intern

Leela is a first year student majoring in Chemical Biology in the College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley. She is involved with the American Medical Student Association, provides online chemistry tutoring to disadvantaged high school and college students, and mentors local elementary school students through the Sage Mentorship Project. Leela also enjoys dancing ballet, playing the piano and the violin, learning languages, reading books, and making bobbin lace.

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Tanvi Yalamanchili

Student intern

Tanvi is a second-year student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Some organizations she is a part of are Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP), American Medical Women's Association (AMWA), Asha for Education, and Pre-Medical Honors Society (PMHS). She also enjoys Bollywood dance, baking, tennis, and trying out new restaurants and cafes. 

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Julia Su

Student intern

Julia is a first-year undergraduate student at 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. In her free time, Julia enjoys working out, baking, working with her hands, and playing random instruments like the piano, violin, and guitar. 

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Maria Eagleton

Student intern

Maria is a second-year student majoring in Chemical Biology in the College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley. Outside the class, she is involved with the American Chemical Society (ACS) at Berkeley as a committee member and is an EMT and STB/FA Instructor through the Berkeley Medical Reserve Corps (BMRC). In her free time, she enjoys going on outdoor walks, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

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Van Hendke

Student intern

Van is a second year undergraduate at UC Berkeley majoring in Integrative Biology. She is currently involved in the Berkeley Medical Reserve Corps, Pre-Medical Honors Society, and is a Telehealth Coordinator for the Northeast Valley Health Corporation. Outside of the lab, she enjoys drawing, embroidery, tennis, and playing video games! 

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Savanna Wang

Student intern

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Molecular Cellular Biology with a Cell Biology, Development & Physiology track, and Data Science at Berkeley. My research interest lies in metabolic and disease research. I love to uncover the hidden mechanisms behind every interesting phenomenon and dig deeper. In my free time, I love digital painting, 3D modeling, watching anime & manga, playing video games, collecting anime figures and gems, hiking, etc.

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Nandika Nambiar

Student intern

Nandika Nambiar is a second-year student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with a Molecular Therapeutics emphasis. She's involved in the Suitcase Clinic, Berkeley Medical Reserve Corps, Pre-Medical Honours Society, and The Berkeley Group (TBG) at UC Berkeley. In her free time, she loves to climb, listen to music, and try different restaurants.