Melissa Barlow

Senior Research Associate

Melissa is a UCSB Zoology graduate with over 15 years of laboratory research experience in pharmacology at UCSD. Prior to joining the Mendiola Lab, Melissa studied mechanisms of cardiac cell regulation and their physiological roles in heart disease. Beyond the lab, Melissa channels her creativity into crafting delectable sweets with her family.

Dane Ford-Roshon

Ph.D student (Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program); Joint student with Rich Daneman

Caitlin Ribeiro

Staff Research Associate

Caitlin is a Research Associate within the lab. Previously, she investigated cardiorespiratory diseases at George Washington University, built a fruit fly connectome at Janelia Research Campus, and explored urban ecology as an undergrad at Arizona State University. She spends her free time hiking, reading, and paddleboarding.

Alexander Silva

Ph.D student (Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program)

Alexander received their BS/MS in Biomedical Engineering from Cal Poly SLO. Currently, Alexander is a Ph.D. student within the lab. Previously, they explored potential cell and gene therapy approaches for neurodegenerative diseases at UCSD. In their free time, Alexander enjoys dancing and performing in the local San Diego community.

Nyssa Williams

Ph.D student (Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program)

Nyssa is pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at UC San Diego. She obtained a B.S. in Biopsychology from UC Santa Barbara, where she studied the role of glutamatergic signaling in drug addiction. After graduation, she researched microglial transcriptomic states in Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease and developed therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides in Dr. Jerold Chun’s lab. As a San Diego native, she enjoys spending her free time outdoors, going to concerts, and rooting for the Padres.

Marta Frankiv

Undergraduate Student

Marta is an undergraduate student at UCSD majoring in Human Biology. In her free time she enjoys cooking, dancing, and going to the beach.

Grace McAuley

MD/Ph.D Student (Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program)

Grace is a current M.D. Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Sciences Program and Medical Scientist Training Program at UCSD and is co-advised by Dr. Gene Yeo. After receiving a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UCLA in 2020, she worked in the lab of Dr. Donald Kohn where she developed a novel base editing gene therapy for CD3d severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). In her free time, Grace enjoys running and trying new restaurants.

Yaya Han

Undergraduate Student

Yaya Han is an undergraduate student at UC San Diego majoring in General Biology. She is interested in neuroimmunology and fascinated by anatomy—she even enjoys watching dissection videos in her free time. Outside the lab, she loves animals, reading, and exploring the intersections of science and global health.