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affiliations: UCLA Biochemistry Molecular Biology Inst. Jonsson Cancer Center Brain Research Inst. UCLA
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lab members - postdoctoral fellows
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Susan Walsh |
| Joined lab in: 2005 PhD Duke University B.S. Cedar Crest College Email link |
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| My work in the Koehler lab will investigate the role of mitochondrial biogenesis during development
in zebrafish. From mouse studies in our laboratory, we know that mitochondrial assembly is required
for cardiac development. However, because these experiments require a significant time investment,
my studies in zebrafish should allow for a direct application of mechanistic studies from yeast to a
vertebrate organism. Moreover, zebrafish has not yet been exploited as a model for studying
mitochondrial biogenesis so my proposed experiments will open a new line of investigation in a
model organism that bridges yeast and mammals. Hopefully, I will develop novel approaches to
understand how defects in mitochondrial assembly contribute to cardiac dysfunction. |
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Geng Wang |
| Joined lab in: 2006 PhD Universirty of Iowa B.S. Xiamen University (China) Email link |
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| The goal of my research is to understand the mechanism of cell death induced by mitochondrial DNA loss in yeast mutants and characterize the biogenesis of mammalian mitochondrial import machinery. Another aspect of my research is to understand how proteins fold into their functional structures under physiological relevant conditions such as mitochondrial compartments using single molecule spectroscopy. |
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Deepa Dabir |
| Joined lab in: 2006 PhD University of Pennsylvania B.S. St. Xavier's College (Bombay, India) Email link |
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| My research as a graduate student focused on determining the role of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of tau based neurodegenerative disorders. We utilized mouse as well as cell culture models to assess if tau inclusions in astrocytes ('sick astrocytes') would affect the viability and function of neurons. In the Koehler lab, I am currently involved in a synthetic lethal genetic screen to look at possible deleterious interactions between hot13 and other genes. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, hiking and watching NBA. |
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Yavuz Oktay |
| Joined lab in: 2006 PhD University of Texas Southwestern B.S. Bilkent University (Turkey) Email link |
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| For my PhD research, I worked on the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)-2alpha and its role in mitochondrial function. We utilized mouse models and mammalian cell lines to study knockout phenotypes of the protein. In the Koehler lab, I am currently exploring mitochondrial protein interactions in a yeast model system.
I enjoy working in lab and I don't have time for much else, except playing soccer! |
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lab members - graduate students
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Heather Tienson |
| Program: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Joined lab in: 2004 B.S. University of California Los Angeles Email link |
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| I grew up in the greater Los Angeles area. My first research experience as an undergrad was with Dr. Ferry in the pediatric endocrinology department in the UCLA medical school studying Insulin like growth factor binding protein-3. I then began working for Carla Koehler in 2002 until I entered graduate school. I finally joined the Koehler Lab as a graduate student in 2004. I am investigating the redox state of the mitochondrial intermembrane space and proteins that reside there in order to determine the role that this redox state plays in protein import.
Other than science I enjoy sports, including college basketball (GO BRUINS!!), Tennis and water sports, and I am an avid dog lover!!! |
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Jenny Glavin |
| Program: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Joined lab in: 2005 B.A. Whittier College Email link |
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| Before joining the Koehler lab, I spent 2 years at City of Hope as a RAII studying the role of orphan nuclear receptors in chemotherapy resistance and taught high school Science in the LA area. For my PhD project, I work with Steve to characterize lipid pathways in the mitochondrion. In my spare time, I enjoying working on my house and running with my dog. |
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Sam Hasson |
| Program: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Joined lab in: 2005 B.A. Pitzer College (2003) Email link |
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| Using chemical genetics, the aim of my research is to identify and categorize novel proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Before entering the Biochemistry program, I completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the NIH studying RNA Polymerase III and tRNA biogenesis. In my free time, I enjoy Kendo, high power rocketry, cooking, and the LA music scene. |
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Sonya Neal |
| Program: Molecular Biology Institute Joined lab in: 2007 B.S. University of California San Diego Email link |
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| As an undergrad at UCSD, I worked with Dr. Theodorakis in order to synthesize analogs of fluoro-butenolides that are further tested for anti-viral activities. Over the summer in my third year, I worked with Dr. Koehler and investigated the redox state of the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS). Finally, I worked with Dr. Farquhar in order to characterize a novel G protein and its role in mitochondrial fission and fusion. My current research in the Koehler lab involves characterizing redox properties of proteins involved in mitochondrial import. If I’m not in lab, I enjoy running, playing basketball, watching reality T.V. and eating cookies! |
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Meghan Johnson |
| Program: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Joined lab in: 2008 B.A. University of Pennsylvania Email link |
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| As an undergraduate at Penn I worked in Mitch Lewis' lab designing a heterodimeric lactose repressor capable of recognizing a non-symmetric DNA binding site. As a graduate student in the Koehler lab I am using zebrafish as a model organism to study the phenotypes and pathogenesis of a few genetically-encoded mitochondrial myopathies and disorders involved specifically with the electron transport system. By studying these myopathies in zebrafish I hope to elucidate the mechanistic differences that occur within patients harboring these mutations. In my free time I enjoy dancing, skiing, reading, and major league baseball! |
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Wei-Siang (Moses) Liau |
| Program: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Joined lab in: 2008 B.S./M.S. CalPoly Pomona Email link |
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| During my masters, I worked with Dr. Craig LaMunyon to characterize a mitochondrial DNA deletion in Caenorhabditis elegans. Specifically, I examined how the deletion affected metabolism, lifespan and sperm performance. Presently in Koehler’s lab, I am attempting to knockout several genes involve in mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis in zebrafish and characterizing several mutant fish lines with mitochondrial defects. The goal of my graduate research is to examine mitochondrial assembly in the zebrafish model system as a basis to understanding human diseases such as deafness/dystonia syndromes and cardiac myopathy. I enjoy eating Susan’s desert, playing tennis, jogging, watching anime and reading. |
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lab members - additional
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Erin Jimenez |
| Undergraduate Researcher Joined lab in: 2007 UCLA |
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| Susan and I are interested in investigating the mitochondrial import of a signaling protein, Akt. Akt is a serine/threonine kinase regulated by extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways and capable of inducing several pro-survival and proliferative effects. Given this protein's importance in basic cellular growth and survival, our research will yield new insight into disease, such as cancer and Parkinson's.
In addition to being in the lab, I thoroughly enjoy playing video games and running. |
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Geizhar Ramirez |
| Undergraduate Researcher Joined lab in: 2008 |
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Juwina Wijaya |
| Undergraduate Researcher Joined lab in: 2008 |
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Cenny Boon |
| Undergraduate Researcher Joined lab in: 2008 ULCA |
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past lab members
Link to past members of the Koehler Lab
lab photos
2005 Group Photo:
2009 Group Photo:
