Faculty

Faculty in the BioGAP program span research in the life sciences and are skilled in mentoring young scientists.

Richard McKenney

Richard McKenney

  • Assistant Professor
  • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • College of Biological Sciences
Richard McKenney is interested in the fascinating world of molecular movement. His lab studies how cells internally organize using molecular motor proteins. In particular, they focus on the microtubule cytoskeleton and the motor proteins that use this filament system for transport (kinesins and dyneins). They are interested in allosteric regulation of motor protein movement, how motor activity is balanced and coordinated, and how dysfunction in motor activity leads to human diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. The lab combines advanced molecular biology, biochemistry and single-molecule TIRF microscopy to address these problems
Angie Louie

Angelique Louie

  • Professor
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • College of Engineering
Angelique Louie focuses on the application of engineering and physical sciences imaging principles to improve the diagnosis and management of human disease. The unifying theme of her research is the application of imaging techniques and the design of contrast agents to characterize molecular phenomena in diseased versus normal states.
Janine LaSalle

Janine LaSalle

  • Professor
  • Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology
  • School of Medicine
Janine LaSalle is interested in the role epigenetics in human autism-spectrum disorders. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in chromosomes that are not encoded in the DNA sequence, including DNA methylation and chromatin organization. The clinical applications of the research includes understanding the pathogenesis of the neurodevelopmental disorders autism, Rett syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Dup15q, and Angelman syndrome. Her lab uses mouse models and samples from individuals with autism spectrum disorders to investigate the epigenetic mark of DNA methylation genome-wide using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic approaches. 
Ian Korf

Ian Korf

  • Professor
  • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • College of Biological Sciences
Ian Korf develops bioinformatics solutions to help tackle problems - both large and small - in the fast-moving field of genomics. Much of the research in his lab builds on collaborations with others, both at UC Davis and also further afield. The diverse nature of these activities can often make it seem like that there is very little in common between the different research projects. However, the one thing that unites all of the work is our desire to produce tools and to provide analyses that help make sense of DNA and protein sequences, and which help turn those sequences into stories.
Celina Juliano

Celina Juliano

  • Associate Professor
  • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • College of Biological Sciences
Celina Juliano studies the molecular mechanisms that allow the freshwater cnidarian Hydra vulgaris to have “immortal” stem cells. Her research can provide insight into regenerative biology and aging in vertebrates and other organisms.
John Harada

John Harada

  • Professor
  • Department of Plant Biology
  • College of Biological Sciences
Genomic, molecular, genetic, and biochemical, dissection of embryogenesis and seed development in plants.
Aldrin Gomes

Aldrin Gomes

  • Professor
  • Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
  • College of Biological Sciences
  • Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology
  • School of Medicine
Impaired protein degradation is associated with many cardiac and skeletal muscle diseases. Our laboratory is interested in investigating the signaling pathways involved in proteostasis (protein homeostasis) in cardiac and skeletal muscle diseases. Our laboratory is also interested in the side effects of commonly used drugs, such as ibuprofen, on the heart and other tissues.
David Furlow

David Furlow

  • Professor
  • Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
  • College of Biological Sciences
David Furlow studes the molecular basis of hormone action, particularly during development. Analysis of gene expression programs during morphogenesis. Genome editing in model organisms, particularly applied to nuclear hormone receptor function.
JoAnne Engebrecht

JoAnne Engebrecht

  • Professor
  • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • College of Biological Sciences
JoAnne Engebrecht investigates molecular mechanisms underlying germline biology. Germ cells are essential for the propagation of all sexually reproducing organisms.  Germline stem cell divisions, meiotic differentiation and gametogenesis must be tightly coupled to ensure the formation of viable progeny; perturbations result in infertility, inviability and birth defects.
Bruce Draper

Bruce Draper

  • Professor
  • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • College of Biological Sciences
Bruce Draper studies mechanisms that regulate the development and function of germline stem cell in zebrafish, with a main focus on female germline stem cells. The Draper laboratory studies factors that function within the stem cells, as well as those that are required for the development of the somatic gonad.
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