Soumita Das
I completed my MS in Biochemistry with advanced Microbiology and my PhD on the transcriptional profile of Vibrio cholerae during diarrhea. I characterized the function of a new gene cluster (IAHP; IcmF Associated Homologous Proteins; later classified as Type VI secretion system) involved in enteric infection. During my Post Doctoral career, I characterized the function of the immuno-inhibitory molecule PDL1 during Helicobacter pylori infection and the host DNA repair pathway during gastro-intestinal infection.
Present Lab Members
I completed my Ph.D. in Pharmacology in May 2015. My dissertation project in Dr. Curt Sigmund’s lab was to examine the role for Cullin-3 in blood pressure control. With a background in molecular and cell biology, I have a valuable mix of analytical and technical skills and bring unique perspectives to various projects. I am always enthusiastic about learning new skills to further my technical expertise and apply them to answer key research questions.
Stella-Rita Ibeawuchi, Postdoctoral Fellow
Kathy Suarez
(Research Associate)
Email: katherine.aimee.suarez@gmail.com
Project Details: Studying the role of BAI/ELMO1 in the binding and internalization of Adherent-Invasive E. Coli (AIEC), and the role of BAI/ELMO1 in Salmonella infection using murine enteroids.
Hobbies and Interests: Enjoys traveling, photography, crocheting, and baking.
Future Goals: Plans to pursue a PhD in Microbiology.
Past Lab Members
Ibrahim M Sayed Ibrahim, Postdoctoral Fellow
Courtney Tindle
(M.S.,LAII, Western Blot Master)
Email: clyons@ucsd.edu
Project Details: Immunocompromised individuals cannot clear Salmonella completely. I study the clearance of Salmonella in intestinal macrophages to understand how they can evade clearance mechanisms.
Hobbies and Interests: I am interested in studying intestinal infections, and studying how to teach people with different learning styles.
Future Goals: As a current professor at Cuyamaca Community College and a part-time researcher with Dr. Das, I plan to continue in developing my teaching and research career.
Rama Pranadinata
(Research Associate)
Email: rama.pranadi@gmail.com
Project Details: My current project involves elucidating how Salmonella disrupts macrophage endolysosomal pathways via effector proteins in order to evade the host innate immune system and survive intracellularly.
Hobbies and Interests: Spending time, playing soccer, and traveling with my friends.
Future Goals: To enthuse and educate others about science and help in bringing opportunities within the field to others.
Kevin Vega
(M.S. Student)
Email: kvega@ucsd.edu
Project Details: To better understand inflammatory pathways, I'm investigating the role of ELMO1 in the regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1b.
Hobbies and Interests: In my free time, I like to play guitar, volleyball, and challenge my friends to a rouse game of FIFA 17.
Future Goals: My long-term goal is to become a surgeon, and I am currently interviewing at medical schools.
Mitchel Lau
(M.S. Student)
Email: mitchellau16@gmail.com
Project Details: I'm currently studying the bacterial effector SifA, and how it interacts with other host proteins and its eventual effect on infected cells.
Hobbies and Interests: My main hobbies are mainly listening to music, going to the gym, and video games !!
Future Goals: I hope to find a profession in the medical field !!
Rashini Jayaratne
(M.S. Student)
Email: rrjayara@ucsd.edu
Project Details: I study the effect of Salmonella infection on our intestinal epithelium and the mechanism through which Salmonella causes diarrhea. My project focuses specifically on the ion transporter DRA and the distribution of cell types (secretory and absorptive) in our epithelium.
Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy reading murder mystery novels (Agatha Christie is my favorite).
Future Goals: My future goal is to go to medical school.
Ayse Sahan
(Under Graduate Researcher)
Email: zasahan@gmail.com
Project Details: The focus of this project is to characterize the effect of bacterial infection, specifically with H. Pylori and F. Nucleatum, on Base Excision Repair proteins to provide understanding on the potential role of infection in carcinogenesis.
Hobbies and Interests: Reading non-fiction books, writing, sightseeing and trying new foods.
Future Goals: To pursue a graduate degree in the Biological Sciences.
Denny Bao
(Under Graduate Researcher)
Email: debao@ucsd.edu
Project Details: I am exploring the capacity of nanoparticle decoys to neutralize intestinal infections triggered by enterotoxin-producing pathogens.
Hobbies and Interests: I have a penchant for fine cuisine, so I like going to all the highly-rated restaurants on Yelp. I enjoy listening to music and browsing the web. I also like to nap, play video games, and shop online.
Future Goals: I would like to go to professional or graduate school, focusing on the field of medicine.
Proma Dewanjee
(High School Student)
Email: proma.dewanjee@gmail.com
Project Details: I am a senior at Carlsbad High School and currently assisting and shadowing senior researchers in the lab group with their experiments.
Hobbies and Interests: Playing Piano and singing.
Future Goals: I plan on pursuing medicine in the future.
Sujay Singh
(Summer Intern)
Email: ssingh@students.pitzer.edu
Project Details: I do research at the lab every summer, and currently I’m a sophomore studying at the Claremont Colleges. My research is currently about the mechanism of internalization for a bacterial strain of Crohn’s Disease and the cytokine response to this infection.
Hobbies and Interests: Things I like to do beyond research include playing table tennis, singing, and coaching debate.
Future Goals: My future goal is to get into Medical School.
Salony Roongta
(PhD Student, University of Zurich)
Email:
I am currently a Master's student and an aspiring PhD student at ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland and worked in the lab as an undergraduate student from 2014-2016. After working in the lab with Soumita, I realized that my true interest lies in studying the pathways post infection in bacterias and viruses. I wish to study the changes made by the infecting agent on the molecular level and target those changes to treat specific diseases.
Matheus Prado
(Medical Fellow, University of California)
Email: mathprado@gmail.com
I am from Brazil, an avid soccer fan, music aficionado, UCSD alumni, and I love my lab family. I am currently a student at UCSF pursuing an MD degree.
