Postdocs
Sho Takechi
Daiichi Sankyo Postdoctoral Scholar
STakechi [at] mednet [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Sho is originally from Sapporo in Japan and obtained his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Tokyo. After that, he has been engaged in drug discovery research as a medicinal chemist at Daiichi Sankyo, a Japanese pharmaceutical company. In the Backus lab, he is interested in learning the methodology to acquire chemical probes for so-called undruggable targets. In his free time, he enjoys eating around, cooking, watching TV and playing with his children.
Samuel Ofori
SOfori@mednet [at] mednet [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Samuel did his Ph.D., in Chemistry, at the University of Kentucky — where he worked on the design of novel small-molecule inhibitors of PPIs. His current research interests lie in hunting for cysteine-reactive chemical probes/inhibitors of novel biological targets. He’d love to live forever.
Graduate Students
José Omar Castellón
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
NSF Fellowship
Whitcome Fellowship
G5
joseomar805 [at] gmail [dot] com
A loyal Californian, Jose is from Oxnard, California, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from California State University, Channel Islands and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles. He is currently a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BBSB) home area under the Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary Program (MBIDP). Jose is interested in applying his background in biophysics and protein folding to the field of chemical biology with a particular interest in inhibitor and probe discovery.
Maria Palafox
Joint with the Arboleda Lab
Human Genetics
CBI Training Grant
G5
mfpalafox [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
A true Texan, Maria grew up in El Paso, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she studied nutritional science and conducted research connecting gene regulation to lifestyle choices. Maria is passionate about health and biology and is excited to apply the tools of chemical biology to understanding how nature's biological machinery, proteins, interact with and manipulate cellular chemistry. Outside of lab, Maria enjoys mountain biking, cooking, and taking her rabbit to the beach.
Sunny (Tianyang) Yan
Chemistry and Biochemistry
TRDRP Fellowship
G5
tyyan14 [at] outlook [dot] com
Sunny originally comes from China and got her bachelor's degree in chemistry at Fudan University, Shanghai. She is an an analytical chemistry graduate student in Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In the Backus lab, Sunny is excited to apply her experience in glycobiology to the development of new chemical probes. She also dreams of becoming a NGS expert.
Heta Desai
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
G5
hets [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Heta is originally from North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a BS in Chemistry with a focus in Biochemistry. She's currently a graduate student in the BBSB home area of MBI. Her undergraduate research was within the realm of chemical biology with a focus on creating proteins with non-natural functions. In her graduate studies, Heta is interested in exploring proteomic profiling along with computational methods to better characterize proteins and protein variants on a broader scale. In her free time, Heta loves going to tap jams, exploring urban dance, and watching TV.
Nik Burton
Chemistry and Biochemistry
BTBSE Training Grant
G4
nrburton [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Nik is originally from Morehead City, North Carolina. He obtained his B.S. in chemistry from North Carolina State University where he worked on the development of novel synthetic methods. His research interests lie largely in organic synthesis with direct biological application. In his free time, he enjoys working out, drinking coffee, and has recently been getting into climbing.
Ashley Julio
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology
CBI Training Grant
G4
ajulio [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Ashley is originally from Santa Barbara, California, and attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, where she obtained a joint bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. She is a student in the Biochemistry, Structural and Molecular Biology (BMSB) program in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. In the Backus lab, Ashley is excited about using chemistry to probe, modulate, and ultimately better understand biological systems. In her free time she enjoys roller blading, working out, and dancing to country music.
Lisa Boatner
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemical Biology
Systems Biology Training Grant
G4
Lisaboatner [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Lisa attended The University of Texas at Austin where she obtained bachelor degrees in chemistry and computational biology, as well as minors in computer science and business. At UT, she conducted research in functional genomics and electrochemical biosensors. She is currently a chemistry graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. As part of both the Backus and Houk labs, Lisa is interested in characterizing proteins using bioinformatics, computational chemistry, and chemoproteomics.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemical Biology
Systems Biology Training Grant
G4
Lisaboatner [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Lisa attended The University of Texas at Austin where she obtained bachelor degrees in chemistry and computational biology, as well as minors in computer science and business. At UT, she conducted research in functional genomics and electrochemical biosensors. She is currently a chemistry graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. As part of both the Backus and Houk labs, Lisa is interested in characterizing proteins using bioinformatics, computational chemistry, and chemoproteomics.
Andrew Palmer
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Organic
G3
abpalmer [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Andrew is originally from Santa Ynez, California and attended UC San Diego where he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He did work relating to the asymmetric synthesis of nonnatural amino acids as well as solid-phase peptide synthesis and then worked as a process chemist for 3 years. Andrew is excited about synthesizing useful molecules for studying biomolecules, small molecule-biomolecule interactions, and developing methods for studying the protein interactome. In his free time he enjoys swimming, running, bodysurfing, beach volleyball, skiing, and reading.
Flowreen Shikwana
Chemistry and Biochemistry
BMSB
G3
fskiwana [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Flowreen is originally from San Diego, California. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of San Diego where she worked on elucidating biophysical characteristics of a novel small protein involved in the innate immune response. She is now a student in the Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology (BMSB) program. In the Backus lab, Flow is interested in using chemistry to further characterize and understand inducible protein interactions within the cell. Flow also enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, & baking (& eating) bread.
Miranda Villanueva
MBDIP BBSB
G3
CBI Training Grant
miranda13196 [at] gmail [dot] com
Miranda is from Los Angele but lived in the northeast while she received her B.A. in Chemistry with a concentration in Latina/o Studies from Williams College. She then returned to Los Angeles to work as a research assistant at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she investigated the long-term metabolic and behavioral effects of early life stress. Miranda is a graduate student in the Molecular Biology Program (MBIDP). In the Backus lab, she hopes to combine her background in chemistry with her interests in metabolism to develop new approaches to study metabolic regulatory mechanisms. During her free time, Miranda enjoys exploring the California scenery and training her dog
MBDIP BBSB
G3
CBI Training Grant
miranda13196 [at] gmail [dot] com
Miranda is from Los Angele but lived in the northeast while she received her B.A. in Chemistry with a concentration in Latina/o Studies from Williams College. She then returned to Los Angeles to work as a research assistant at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she investigated the long-term metabolic and behavioral effects of early life stress. Miranda is a graduate student in the Molecular Biology Program (MBIDP). In the Backus lab, she hopes to combine her background in chemistry with her interests in metabolism to develop new approaches to study metabolic regulatory mechanisms. During her free time, Miranda enjoys exploring the California scenery and training her dog
Alexandra Turmon
Chemistry and Biochemistry
BMSB
G2
aturmon [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Alexandra is originally from San Francisco, CA and received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Santa Cruz. Post-graduation, she stayed in Santa Cruz working at Unnatural Products as a research associate focused on the synthesis of cyclic peptides as drug molecules. Now a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology (BMSB) PhD program she is excited for her research in the Backus Lab as it pertains to both using and developing chemoproteomic methodologies to study the functional mechanisms of different biological systems. Outside of science, Alex loves to spend time with friends and family, hiking, crocheting (knitting soon!), caring for her many plants and reading.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
BMSB
G2
aturmon [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Alexandra is originally from San Francisco, CA and received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Santa Cruz. Post-graduation, she stayed in Santa Cruz working at Unnatural Products as a research associate focused on the synthesis of cyclic peptides as drug molecules. Now a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology (BMSB) PhD program she is excited for her research in the Backus Lab as it pertains to both using and developing chemoproteomic methodologies to study the functional mechanisms of different biological systems. Outside of science, Alex loves to spend time with friends and family, hiking, crocheting (knitting soon!), caring for her many plants and reading.
Eli Biletch
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemical Biology
G1
ebiletch [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Eli is originally from Boston, MA and received his bachelors degree from Middlebury College in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry along with a minor in Computer Science. At UCLA, Eli is a graduate student in the Chemical Biology specialization of the Chemistry Ph.D. program. In the Backus Lab, he is focused on synthesizing novel molecular tools for understanding the cellular interactome. In his free time, Eli enjoys creating delicious meals to share with friends and family, listening to and composing music, and exploring culture and design through reading and watching.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemical Biology
G1
ebiletch [at] g [dot] ucla [dot] edu
Eli is originally from Boston, MA and received his bachelors degree from Middlebury College in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry along with a minor in Computer Science. At UCLA, Eli is a graduate student in the Chemical Biology specialization of the Chemistry Ph.D. program. In the Backus Lab, he is focused on synthesizing novel molecular tools for understanding the cellular interactome. In his free time, Eli enjoys creating delicious meals to share with friends and family, listening to and composing music, and exploring culture and design through reading and watching.
Undergraduates
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Emil Dominguez
Undergraduate
Biochemistry
2024
Emil is a Biochemistry major from the San Gabriel Valley, CA. He transferred to UCLA from Rio Hondo College in the Fall of 2022. While at Rio Hondo College, Emil pursued natural product total synthesis research in the Kou Laboratory at the University of California, Riverside. He is interested in studying chemical biology to increase the druggable proteome. In his free time, Emil volunteers at Emanate Health Hospital in the COPE Health Scholars program, is a course instructor for the Prison Education Project, and is the UCLA SACNAS undergraduate representative
Emil Dominguez
Undergraduate
Biochemistry
2024
Emil is a Biochemistry major from the San Gabriel Valley, CA. He transferred to UCLA from Rio Hondo College in the Fall of 2022. While at Rio Hondo College, Emil pursued natural product total synthesis research in the Kou Laboratory at the University of California, Riverside. He is interested in studying chemical biology to increase the druggable proteome. In his free time, Emil volunteers at Emanate Health Hospital in the COPE Health Scholars program, is a course instructor for the Prison Education Project, and is the UCLA SACNAS undergraduate representative
Alumni
GSRs
Neil Chan
2018-2020
Degree: Masters, Chemistry
SRAs
Brianna Hill-Payne
2018-2019
Postdocs
Sean Maddox
2018-2019
Destination: Ampac Fine Chemicals, Sacramento, CA
Jian Cao
2018-2020
Destination: Novartis, San Diego
Medical Students
Alex Sun
2020-2021
Destination: Residency, Columbia University
Undergraduates
Phillip Kim
2019-2022
Degree: Biochemistry (2022)
Destination: Eli Lilly
Linwei Li
2019-2022
Degree: Biochemistry (2022)
Stephanie Yen
2019-2022
Degree: Biochemistry (2022)
Destination: Immunity Bio
Nicholas Ung
2019-2021
Degree: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (2021)
Destination: Software Developer
Jeremy Shek
2018-2020
Degree: Biochemistry (2019)
Destination: UCSD PhD program
Jamel Simpson
2019-2020
Degree: Biochemistry (2019)
Destination: University of Virginia PhD program
Ky Tran
2018-2020
Degree: Biochemistry (2019)
Annie Zhou
2018-2020
Degree: Biochemistry (2019)
Marina Faragalla
Regent's Scholar
2018-2019
Degree: BA Biochemistry (2019)
Samuel Neubuerger
2018
Degree: BA Biochemistry
Destination: Medical School
Short Term
Derui Li
CSST Student (Summer 2019)
Destination: PhD Student, Xi David Li Lab
Cindy Cheng
Rotation Student (2019)
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology (BBSB)
Destination: Graduate student in the Eisenberg lab
Taylor Perkins
Summer Student (2018)
Destination: Graduate student in the Loo lab
Emily Yang
Rotation Student (2018)
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
Destination: Graduate student in the Li Lab
Graham Read
Rotation Student (2018)
Gene Regulation, Epigenomics, and Transcriptomics (GREaT)
