{"id":673,"date":"2019-08-16T21:32:02","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T21:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/?page_id=673"},"modified":"2026-05-06T16:16:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:16:28","slug":"team-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/team-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Team"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-673\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-673-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-673-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1860 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DrShabek2024-866x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DrShabek2024-866x1024.jpeg 866w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DrShabek2024-254x300.jpeg 254w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DrShabek2024-768x908.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><strong>Nitzan Shabek<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\">Principal Investigator<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><em><strong>Education<\/strong><\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postdoctoral Fellow \u2013 HHMI, University of Washington - Seattle<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">PhD - Technion- Israel Institute of Technology<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/team\/nitzan-shabek\/\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Read more about Nitzan<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em><strong>Postdoctoral Fellows \/ Project Scientists<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2009 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Sunhyun-headshot-734x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"185\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Sunhyun-headshot-734x1024.jpg 734w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Sunhyun-headshot-215x300.jpg 215w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Sunhyun-headshot-768x1072.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Sunhyun-headshot.jpg 1412w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 185px) 100vw, 185px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunhyun Chang<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">B.Sc, M.Sc (Seoul National University, Korea), Ph.D. (UC Riverside - Nelson Lab)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>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\u2019s 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!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"3\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1666 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_3056-2-854x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"193\" height=\"231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_3056-2-854x1024.jpg 854w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_3056-2-250x300.jpg 250w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_3056-2-768x921.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_3056-2.jpg 1688w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 193px) 100vw, 193px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Jacob Moe-Lange<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postdoctoral fellow<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">B.Sc (UC Berkley), M.Sc (University of Copenhagen), PhD (Carnegie Institution\/\u00a0Stanford University -Frommer Lab)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"4\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1170 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unnamed-e1625186172521-286x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unnamed-e1625186172521-286x300.jpg 286w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unnamed-e1625186172521.jpg 368w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Malathy Palayam<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postdoctoral fellow \/ Project Scientist <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">(<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>mpalayam at ucdavis.edu<\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">)<\/span><br \/>\nPh.D (University of Madras)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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. <\/em><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-5\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"5\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1650 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Daniela-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Daniela-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Daniela-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Daniela Rodriguez-Zaccaro<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postdoctoral fellow<br \/>\nPhD (UC Davis - Groover Lab)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #333333;\">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.<\/span> <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek lab:\u00a0 Katherine Esau Postdoctoral fellowship<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-6\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"6\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>Graduate Students<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-7\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"7\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1843 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0C1BCF7A-4694-4080-9FA1-54FD53AD7CEA-1-1-985x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"179\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0C1BCF7A-4694-4080-9FA1-54FD53AD7CEA-1-1-985x1024.jpg 985w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0C1BCF7A-4694-4080-9FA1-54FD53AD7CEA-1-1-288x300.jpg 288w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0C1BCF7A-4694-4080-9FA1-54FD53AD7CEA-1-1-768x799.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Katherine Hand<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Graduate (PhD) Student, Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group (IGG)\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">B.Sc (UC Davis 2022, Major in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior),<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><em><span style=\"color: #333333;\">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.<\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards\/Fellowships in the Shabek Lab: NIH-eMCB T32 Training Grant,\u00a0 2024 Summer GSR Award, The Elsie Taylor Stocking Memorial Fellowship,\u00a02025 <span class=\"outlook-search-highlight\" data-markjs=\"true\">Simon<\/span> <span class=\"outlook-search-highlight\" data-markjs=\"true\">Chan<\/span> Fellowship Award<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-8\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"8\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Edgar Cortes<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2137 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/y1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"161\" height=\"177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/y1.jpeg 872w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/y1-272x300.jpeg 272w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/y1-768x846.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 161px) 100vw, 161px\" \/><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Graduate Student (M.Sc) - PBGG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I graduated from UC Davis with my B.S. in Plant Biotechnology. As an undergraduate, I worked in Dr. Diepenbrock\u2019s 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\u2019m a Master\u2019s student in the Shabek Lab, where I\u2019m excited to explore plant signaling pathways and protein structure. Outside the lab, I enjoy watching films, going to the gym, and exploring Northern California\u2019s food scene. <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards\/Fellowhips in the Shabek lab: NSF-BEST Fellowship<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-9\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"9\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em><strong>Undergraduate Researchers<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-10\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"10\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2014 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_0633-801x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_0633-801x1024.jpg 801w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_0633-235x300.jpg 235w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_0633-768x982.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_0633.jpg 1169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Roni Shechtman<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher (<em>Molecular and Medical Microbiology<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-11\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"11\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1887 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_3377-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_3377-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_3377-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Andrew Nakao<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher (<em>Biological Sciences<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m 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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-12\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"12\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2209 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/YitaoLi-886x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"218\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/YitaoLi-886x1024.jpg 886w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/YitaoLi-260x300.jpg 260w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/YitaoLi-768x888.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/YitaoLi.jpg 1770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 218px) 100vw, 218px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yitao (Marina) Li <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher <em>(Biochemistry and Molecular biology)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-13\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"13\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2216 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FC09CE0D-D2A8-47C1-8E5A-7DC4368B92BE-687x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FC09CE0D-D2A8-47C1-8E5A-7DC4368B92BE-687x1024.jpg 687w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FC09CE0D-D2A8-47C1-8E5A-7DC4368B92BE-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FC09CE0D-D2A8-47C1-8E5A-7DC4368B92BE-768x1144.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FC09CE0D-D2A8-47C1-8E5A-7DC4368B92BE.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 174px) 100vw, 174px\" \/>Kathy Tran<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researche<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-14\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"14\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2217 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7AE08A5B-1FB6-45AA-9104-2673887F6AD8-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7AE08A5B-1FB6-45AA-9104-2673887F6AD8-1.jpeg 475w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7AE08A5B-1FB6-45AA-9104-2673887F6AD8-1-259x300.jpeg 259w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px\" \/>Mathias Struve<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m 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\u2019ll see me hiking over by Lake Berryessa, hanging out with friends, and spending time with family.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-15\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"15\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1885 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Image-from-iOS-2-1024x963.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Image-from-iOS-2-1024x963.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Image-from-iOS-2-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Image-from-iOS-2-768x723.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aileen Zheng<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-16\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"16\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><span class=\"outlook-search-highlight\" data-markjs=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2085 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Devansh-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Devansh-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Devansh-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Devansh-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Devansh.jpg 1102w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 176px) 100vw, 176px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Devansh<\/span><\/span><span class=\"outlook-search-highlight\" style=\"color: #000000;\" data-markjs=\"true\"> Bandewar<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher (<em>Biotechnology<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m a third year undergraduate majoring in Biotechnology. I\u2019m 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.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-17\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"17\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2090 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ryann-883x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"171\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ryann-883x1024.jpeg 883w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ryann-259x300.jpeg 259w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ryann-768x890.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 171px) 100vw, 171px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ryann O\u2019Driscoll<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher (<em>Biochemistry<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m 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.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-18\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"18\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2083 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cooper-952x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"173\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cooper-952x1024.jpg 952w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cooper-279x300.jpg 279w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cooper-768x826.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cooper.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 173px) 100vw, 173px\" \/>Cooper Hulett<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Undergraduate Researcher<\/p>\n<p><em>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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-19\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"19\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2208 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6342.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"207\" height=\"179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6342.jpg 938w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6342-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6342-768x664.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Supreet Kaur<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher <em>(Human Biology)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-20\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"20\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2063 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/View-recent-photos.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/View-recent-photos.jpeg 327w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/View-recent-photos-253x300.jpeg 253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Mary Zhuang<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m 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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-21\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"21\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2087 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KatieLing-769x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"155\" height=\"206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KatieLing-769x1024.jpg 769w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KatieLing-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KatieLing-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KatieLing.jpg 1445w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 155px) 100vw, 155px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Katie Ling<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m 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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-22\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"22\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2215 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_8271-943x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"166\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_8271-943x1024.jpg 943w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_8271-276x300.jpg 276w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_8271-768x834.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_8271.jpg 1915w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 166px) 100vw, 166px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ariel Hazon<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"1714172477.133909\" class=\"c-virtual_list__item\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"listitem\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-qa=\"virtual-list-item\" data-item-key=\"1714172477.133909\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__background c-message_kit__background--hovered p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message\" role=\"presentation\" data-qa=\"message_container\" data-qa-unprocessed=\"false\" data-qa-placeholder=\"false\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__hover c-message_kit__hover--hovered\" role=\"document\" aria-roledescription=\"message\" data-qa-hover=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--default\">\n<div class=\"p-message_pane_message__message_label c-message_kit__labels c-message_kit__labels--light\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__gutter\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__gutter__right\" role=\"presentation\" data-qa=\"message_content\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text\">\n<div class=\"c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text\" data-qa=\"message-text\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer\" data-qa=\"block-kit-renderer\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_block\" dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_section\"><em>I am a third-year undergraduate Biological Sciences major. The topics I am most interested in studying are gene regulation mechanisms and protein-protein interactions. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, playing video games, and writing fiction.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-message_actions__container c-message__actions\" role=\"group\">\n<div class=\"c-message_actions__group\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Message actions\" data-qa=\"message-actions\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-23\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"23\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2088 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ruth-780x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"154\" height=\"202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ruth-780x1024.jpg 780w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ruth-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ruth-768x1009.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ruth.jpg 1780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 154px) 100vw, 154px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ruth Selvaraj<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m 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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-24\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"24\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2089 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tyler-853x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tyler-853x1024.jpeg 853w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tyler-250x300.jpeg 250w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tyler-768x922.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tyler.jpeg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tyler Murai<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-25\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"25\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2221 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_145726_0-918x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"160\" height=\"178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_145726_0-918x1024.jpeg 918w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_145726_0-269x300.jpeg 269w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_145726_0-768x857.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_145726_0.jpeg 1004w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ruojing Guo<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><em>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.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-26\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"26\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2214 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"156\" height=\"204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chad.jpg 678w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chad-230x300.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 156px) 100vw, 156px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chenyang (Chad) Xu\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"1714172477.133909\" class=\"c-virtual_list__item\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"listitem\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-qa=\"virtual-list-item\" data-item-key=\"1714172477.133909\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__background c-message_kit__background--hovered p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message\" role=\"presentation\" data-qa=\"message_container\" data-qa-unprocessed=\"false\" data-qa-placeholder=\"false\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__hover c-message_kit__hover--hovered\" role=\"document\" aria-roledescription=\"message\" data-qa-hover=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--default\">\n<div class=\"p-message_pane_message__message_label c-message_kit__labels c-message_kit__labels--light\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__gutter\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__gutter__right\" role=\"presentation\" data-qa=\"message_content\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text\">\n<div class=\"c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text\" data-qa=\"message-text\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer\" data-qa=\"block-kit-renderer\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_block\" dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_section\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><em>I'm a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology at UC Davis. I worked in Dr. Daniah Beleford\u2019s lab, where I studied Hippo signaling and ubiquitination in endothelial cells related to vascular malformations, and I have presented this work at URC and WCBSURC. I also interned in the Drug Discovery Department at Ascentage Pharma under the mentorship of Executive Director Dr. Liu Liu, where that experience strengthened my interest in further understanding ubiquitination and protein regulation in targeted therapeutics. Outside the lab, I enjoy chess, photography, and working out.<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-message_actions__container c-message__actions\" role=\"group\">\n<div class=\"c-message_actions__group\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Message actions\" data-qa=\"message-actions\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-27\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"27\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2095 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LuLiang-1024x987.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LuLiang-1024x987.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LuLiang-300x289.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LuLiang-768x740.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 170px) 100vw, 170px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lu Liang<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undergraduate Researcher<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"1714172477.133909\" class=\"c-virtual_list__item\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"listitem\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-qa=\"virtual-list-item\" data-item-key=\"1714172477.133909\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__background c-message_kit__background--hovered p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message\" role=\"presentation\" data-qa=\"message_container\" data-qa-unprocessed=\"false\" data-qa-placeholder=\"false\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__hover c-message_kit__hover--hovered\" role=\"document\" aria-roledescription=\"message\" data-qa-hover=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--default\">\n<div class=\"p-message_pane_message__message_label c-message_kit__labels c-message_kit__labels--light\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__gutter\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__gutter__right\" role=\"presentation\" data-qa=\"message_content\">\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text\">\n<div class=\"c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text\" data-qa=\"message-text\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer\" data-qa=\"block-kit-renderer\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_block\" dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_section\"><em>I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Genetics and Genomics. I am fascinated by molecular mechanisms underlying protein regulation. Currently, I am exploring the roles of ubiquitin signaling and plant hormone pathways.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, photography, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-28\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"28\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Lab Alumni<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Postdocs, Visiting\u00a0 Scholars, Specialists, &amp; Graduate students:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lior Tal, Ph.D. (postdoctoral fellow) <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bard-isus.com\/\">BARD<\/a> Fellowship<\/span> <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently an Assistant Professor\/Principal Investigator in Tel Aviv University)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nAngelica Guercio, Ph.D. (graduate student) <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab:<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\"> NSF GFRP Honorable Mention,\u00a0 2020 Summer GSR Award, 2021 Stocking Fellowship, Dean's GS Mentoring Award , 2023 Travel Award <\/span><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently an\u00a0Assistant Professor at UC Davis)<\/span><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/em>Amelia Gilio, Ph.D. (postdoctoral fellow) <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently at Biocatalysis Center, Pfizer)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nNatalie Hamada, Ph.D (graduate student)\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards\/Fellowships in the Shabek Lab:<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">NIH-MCB T32 Training Grant,\u00a0 2022 Summer GSR Award - PBGG, 2023-2025 USDA-NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently a postdoctoral fellow at Oak Ridge National Labs)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nFuai Sun, Ph.D (graduate student and postdoc)\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab:<em> Chinese Academy Scholarship,\u00a0 UCD Plant Biology Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Award<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently a\u00a0Research Data Scientist at Covered) <\/span><\/em><br \/>\nAleczander Young (Undergrad Researcher &amp; J. Specialist) <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently graduate students at UC Davis - Yann-Ru Lab)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nJagadeesan Ganapathy (Visiting Scholar) <em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently Project Scientist at UC Davis)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nSarah Morse, M.Sc (Lab Manager\/Assistant Specialist) <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently Research Program Coordinator at Washington University, St. Louis)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nTara Caso (M.Sc Graduate Student) <em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(Currently at Syndesus Inc., Canada, BC)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nSam Deck (Undergrad Researcher &amp; Specialist) <em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <\/span><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship<\/span> <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently a PhD student in Cornell)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nLinyi Yan (Undergrad Researcher &amp; Specialist)\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently MSc student at University of Pennsylvania)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nJoshua Xu (Davis High School - Young Scholar Program) <em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently in Brown university)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nKylie Huang (Mira Loma High School - Young Scholar Program)<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently at UC Berkley)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nZijing Wei (Phillips Exeter Academy - Young Scholar Program)<br \/>\nShelly Lee (Undergrad Researcher &amp; J.Specialist) <em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship<\/span> <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(PhD student at UC Irvine)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nKatherine Hand (Undergrad Researcher &amp; J.Specialist) <span style=\"color: #993366;\"><em>Awards in the Shabek Lab: 2022 Undergraduate Researcher Summer Fellowship, 2022 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate <\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><em>Research (Honorable Mention)<span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (currently PhD student at UC Davis - <span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">in our lab, see above<\/span>)<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\nJacob Pawlak (Undergrad Researcher &amp; J.Specialist)\u00a0<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently a Lab Manager in Stanford)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nJulie Kwan (Undergrad Researcher &amp; J.Specialist\/Lab Manager) <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(<em>premedical program)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Undergraduate Researchers:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Isabella Glenn<\/span> - <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"https:\/\/urc.ucdavis.edu\/PUF\"><em>Provost's Fellowship<\/em><\/a><em>,\u00a0 <\/em><a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"https:\/\/tgif.ucdavis.edu\/\"><em>TGIF fellowship<\/em><\/a><em>, Dean's Summer Research Award <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently a PhD student at UCSF -Perera Lab)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/span>Ryan Buchner -\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <em>Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship<span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (currently in Aril Inc.)<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\nAndrea Keys\u00a0-\u00a0<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>currently a researcher at UCSF (Kampmann lab)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nBrian Chen - <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab:<em>Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently in premedical program)<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Derrick Tran<\/span> -\u00a0<\/span> <em>currently working in Genentech<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nKodi Hotfeig - <em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">currently working in Botanical Solution Inc<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nMaria Charco Munoz -<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>currently researcher at UC Davis<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nAvalon Miller\u00a0 -\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <em>Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship, GDB Thesis <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently a PhD student in Penn State University)<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\nArielle Zur - <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>School of Medicine - Tel Aviv University<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nAlexander Kehl\u00a0 -\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <em>MARC\/BSHARP (NIH) Scholarship<span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (currently a PhD student in UC Davis)<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\nCatherine Zhou - <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(<em>premedical program)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nArya Balouchi- <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(<em>currently in Med School)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nKyleigh Jacobs - <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(<em>currently QA specialist in Hologic Inc)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nJames Chhen - (<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>currently in Pharmacy School USC)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nRazan Rashid -<span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (<em>premedical program)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nJordan Van Leuven - <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(premedical, currently researcher at UC Medical Center)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nHannah Pan - <em><span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (currently in Med school at CUSM)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nRachel Cahatol - <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">currently QA specialist)<\/span> <\/em><br \/>\nAlexis McBride - <span style=\"color: #993366;\"><em>GDB Thesis<\/em> <\/span><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently in Veterinary Med School at UC Davis)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nVali Engles-\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab: <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship, McNair Scholarship<\/span> <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently PhD student in Stanford)<\/span><\/em><br \/>\nJordan Kelsey - <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><em>(currently researcher in Salk Institute)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nSabrina Katz - <span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (<em>premedical program)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nRyan Burke - <span style=\"color: #339966;\">(<em>currently research technician in Stanford)<\/em><\/span><br \/>\nHanna Kim - <span style=\"color: #339966;\"> (<em>premedical program)<br \/>\n<\/em><\/span>Darian Debortoli - <span style=\"color: #993366;\">Awards in the Shabek Lab:<em> 2024 College of Biological Science Undergraduate Researcher Summer Fellowship <\/em><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">(currently Junior Specialist in Kaplan Lab, UCD)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Trevan Murakami<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #339966;\"> - currently a researcher at UCD (Dinesh-Kumar lab)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Pia Ashworth<\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #339966;\"> - (premedical program)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Ro<span class=\"c-message__sender c-message_kit__sender\" data-qa=\"message_sender\" data-stringify-type=\"replace\" data-stringify-text=\"Romaisa Hasan\"><span id=\"primary-D08N0JYBJJE-1747108406.787449-sender\" class=\"offscreen\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-qa=\"aria-labelledby-primary-D08N0JYBJJE-1747108406.787449-sender\">omaisa Hasan<\/span><\/span> <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #339966;\">- (premedical program)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Annie Hu -<\/span> <em>currently a researcher at UCSF<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-29\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"29\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">The lab team reflects current and\/or affiliated members of the Shabek Lab. Information is periodically updated and may not always reflect real-time status. If you are a current or former member and would like your information updated, we would be happy to ensure your current position is accurately reflected\u2014please contact<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/contact\/\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Dr. Shabek.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-673-0-0-30\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"30\" ><div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Your picture could be here (<a href=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/open-positions\/\">Open Positions<\/a>)!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nitzan Shabek Principal Investigator &nbsp; Education Postdoctoral Fellow \u2013 HHMI, University of Washington &#8211; Seattle PhD &#8211; Technion- Israel Institute of Technology \u21d2 Read more about Nitzan &nbsp; Postdoctoral Fellows \/ Project Scientists Sunhyun Chang Postdoctoral Fellow B.Sc, M.Sc (Seoul National University, Korea), Ph.D. (UC Riverside &#8211; Nelson Lab) I&#8217;m Sunhyun Chang (pronounced SOON-HYUN), and<span class=\"post-excerpt-end\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/team-2\/\" class=\"themebutton\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-673","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=673"}],"version-history":[{"count":190,"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2223,"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/673\/revisions\/2223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabek-lab.ucdavis.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}