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)

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.

Pranavi Vakkala

Summer Research Intern (High school)

Pranavi will be a first-year undergraduate at NYU majoring in neuroscience. She is interested in pursuing a career as a physician and in her free time, plays tennis and puts her creativity into painting.

Nina Shenoy

Summer Research Undergrad

Nina is a rising fourth-year biopsychology major at UCSB and a member of the Neuroscience Research Institute. She is passionate about biomedical research and disease prevention. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and visiting coffee shops

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.