Nitzan Shabek
Principal Investigator
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow – HHMI, University of Washington - Seattle
PhD - Technion- Israel Institute of Technology
Sunhyun Chang
Postdoctoral Fellow
B.Sc, M.Sc (Seoul National University, Korea), Ph.D. (UC Riverside - Nelson Lab)
I'm Sunhyun Chang (pronounced SOON-HYUN), and I'm thrilled to be part of the Shabek Lab team. My journey in plant biology began at Seoul National University in South Korea, where I explored the fascinating worlds of chloroplast RNA polymerase complexes and root development regulated by JA-CK crosstalk during my undergraduate and master’s studies. For my PhD, I worked in Dr. David Nelson's lab at UC Riverside, focusing on how SMXL transcriptional repressors regulate Strigolactone and Karrikin signaling in plants. Now, as a postdoc here, I'm excited to delve deeper into how plants integrate various biological and environmental signals, using both biological and structural approaches. Outside of research, I spend most of my time with Pong the Cat, who is undoubtedly the cutest cat in the world!
Jacob Moe-Lange
Postdoctoral fellow
B.Sc (UC Berkley), M.Sc (University of Copenhagen), PhD (Carnegie Institution/ Stanford University -Frommer Lab)
I am a life-long plant fanatic. I received my BS from UC Berkeley while working on salt-stress and redox signaling with Dr. Lewis Feldman. I then pursued a MSc at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark while in the lab of Dr. Bjorn Hamberger studying terpenoid biosynthetic pathways. Returning to California, I joined the lab of Dr. Wolf Frommer at the Carnegie Institution at Stanford University for my PhD. There I discovered the role of a mechanosensitive ion channel involved in long distance calcium and electrical signaling in response wounding stress in plants. I am excited to join the Shabek Lab as a postdoc to further study how environmentally induced signaling is integrated into meaningful physiological and developmental responses in plants. In my spare time I enjoy gardening with my cats, surfing the California coasts, and shredding the mountains on skis.
Malathy Palayam
Postdoctoral fellow / Project Scientist (mpalayam at ucdavis.edu)
Ph.D (University of Madras)
I have completed my PhD in Center for advanced studies in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras, India. As a graduate student with Dr. Krishnasamy, my research focused on purification, characterization and crystallization of protease inhibitors from plants and human lymphatic causing parasites. In the Shabek Lab, I am focusing to understand the structure, function and mechanism of plant protein complexes that involved in light sensing and hormone signaling pathways.
Daniela Rodriguez-Zaccaro
Postdoctoral fellow
PhD (UC Davis - Groover Lab)
I completed my PhD at the plant biology graduate group here at UC Davis. My research involved investigating the genetic regulation of wood development in the model tree genus Populus, with a focus on vessel traits related to hydraulic function and resistance to drought. In the Shabek lab I am now focusing on wood forming tissue proteins with the hope to better understand the molecular pathways involved in wood development. I am particularly interested in investigating the role of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway in the formation of vessel elements from the vascular cambium. Awards in the Shabek lab: Katherine Esau Postdoctoral fellowship
Katherine Hand
Graduate (PhD) Student, Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group (IGG)
B.Sc (UC Davis 2022, Major in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior),
Eager to explore the field of biochemistry, I joined the Shabek lab as an undergraduate, where I began to investigate the ubiquitin system in chloroplasts. Upon graduation, I continued my work as a junior specialist and took on an additional project examining the structure and function of E2-E3 interactions. I am interested in studying gene regulation, protein-protein interactions, and the mechanisms underlying essential cellular signaling pathways. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, solving mysteries, and spending time with my family, friends, and puppy.
Awards/Fellowships in the Shabek Lab: NIH-eMCB T32 Training Grant, 2024 Summer GSR Award, The Elsie Taylor Stocking Memorial Fellowship, 2025 Simon Chan Fellowship Award
Edgar Cortes
Graduate Student (M.Sc) - PBGG
I graduated from UC Davis with my B.S. in Plant Biotechnology. As an undergraduate, I worked in Dr. Diepenbrock’s lab, working on creating an inflection point in the yield and quality curves in crops essential in low-to-middle income countries. During my gap years, I worked as a lab technician at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing, and later served as a chemist at American River College. Currently, I’m a Master’s student in the Shabek Lab, where I’m excited to explore plant signaling pathways and protein structure. Outside the lab, I enjoy watching films, going to the gym, and exploring Northern California’s food scene. Awards/Fellowhips in the Shabek lab: NSF-BEST Fellowship
Roni Shechtman
Undergraduate Researcher (Molecular and Medical Microbiology)
I am a third-year Molecular and Medical Microbiology major and I am interested in learning more about plant signaling pathways and the ubiquitination process. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, skiing, and baking.
Andrew Nakao
Undergraduate Researcher (Biological Sciences)
I’m a second year majoring in Biological Sciences. My main interest lies in researching plants at a molecular level, and learning more about signaling pathways in plants. Outside of the lab I enjoy playing piano, basketball, and golf.
Yitao (Marina) Li
Undergraduate Researcher (Biochemistry and Molecular biology)
My name is Yitao (Marina) Li and I am a third year undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular biology. I am interested in the plant ubiquitination pathway and hormone signaling. Outside of school I also love playing volleyball and going to the beach!
Kathy Tran
Undergraduate Researche
I'm a third year undergraduate student majoring in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. I am interested in protein regulation and how small molecules interact with biological systems. Outside of school, I enjoy eating, watching shows/movies, and spending time with family.
Mathias Struve
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m a third year undergraduate majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. I'm interested in learning more about plant signaling pathways and working with proteins in the lab. Outside of the lab, you’ll see me hiking over by Lake Berryessa, hanging out with friends, and spending time with family.
Aileen Zheng
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a first-year undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, currently undeclared in major. I am excited to explore the diverse fields in plant science and beyond to find where my interests align. You can often find me enjoying swimming, photography, collecting things, and spending time outdoors.
Devansh Bandewar
Undergraduate Researcher (Biotechnology)
I’m a third year undergraduate majoring in Biotechnology. I’m particularly interested in learning more about structural biology and its implications in plant signaling mechanisms. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing basketball, observing wildlife, learning new recipes to cook, and spending time with friends.
Ryann O’Driscoll
Undergraduate Researcher (Biochemistry)
I’m a forth year Biochemistry major. I am interested in learning more about cell signaling. Outside of school I enjoy crocheting, playing video games, and drinking boba.
Cooper Hulett
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am interested in protein regulation and other interactions, as well as how the Ubiquitin-Proteasome system works. Outside of school, I enjoy hanging out with friends and going to the gym.
Supreet Kaur
Undergraduate Researcher (Human Biology)
I'm a fourth year Human Biology major with a strong interest in studying protein-protein interactions and their role in regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system in plants. Outside of the lab and academics, I enjoy reading, painting and cooking.
Mary Zhuang
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m a third year Undergraduate majoring in Agricultural and Environmental Technology and minor in Animal Science Equine. I am interested in learning the plant biological pathway. Outside of school, I enjoy horse riding, snowboarding, and walking my dog.
Katie Ling
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m a third-year Biotechnology major with an interest in studying protein interactions and developing hands-on lab skills. Outside of the lab, I enjoy working out, trying new foods, and spending time with friends.
Ariel Hazon
Undergraduate Researcher
Ruth Selvaraj
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m a second year undergraduate researcher majoring in biological sciences. I am interested in the plant cell signaling pathways especially the different types of protein interactions. Outside of lab I enjoy hiking and playing the piano.
Tyler Murai
Undergraduate Researcher
I'm a first-year undergraduate majoring in Plant Biology. Currently, I'm hoping to pursue a career in plant hormone pathway research. In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, and constructing elaborate population demographics spreadsheets for my Sims.
Ruojing Guo
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a first year undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am excited to explore plant signaling mechanisms and protein regulation toward applications in food systems and human health. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing the piano, photography, and hiking.
Chenyang (Chad) Xu
Undergraduate Researcher
Lu Liang
Undergraduate Researcher
Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, photography, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen