Inclusivity must be at the core of scientific research. In the Muroyama lab, we are committed to fostering an environment where all voices are welcome and heard. As one part of that, we want individuals to internalize a strong sense of belonging, developed through mentoring and community.
Andrew Muroyama, PhD
B.A. Swarthmore College – Biology/Psychology
Ph.D. Duke University – Cell Biology
Postdoc – Stanford University – Bergmann Lab
Andrew received his Ph.D. working in Dr. Terry Lechler’s lab at Duke University, where he studied the functions of the cytoskeleton during murine development as an NSF-GRFP recipient. For his postdoc, he joined Dr. Dominique Bergmann’s group at Stanford/HHMI where he studied stomatal development on an NIH Kirschstein-NRSA fellowship. The focus of his group is determining how independently evolved mechanisms generate and transmit spatial information in plant cells.
Favorite plant: Albuca bracteata
Akanksha Garhewal, PhD
Postdoc Researcher
B.S. Dr. Hari Singh Gour University- Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry M.Sc. Jawaharlal Nehru University – Biotechnology Ph.D. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) – Life Sciences
Akanksha is interested in understanding the mechanisms that regulate cellular asymmetry during plant development. She received her PhD in Dr. Mukesh Lodha’s lab at CCMB in India, where she studied the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in Arabidopsis. Outside the lab, she enjoys book reading, bird watching, gardening, movies and theatre. Her favorite book is “The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak and her favorite bird is the Indian house sparrow. Favorite plant: Aloe barbadensis
Kensington Hartman
B.S. Western Washington University – Cellular and Molecular Biology
Kensi is a lab technician interested in understanding how and why symmetric cellular divisions are oriented in the stomatal lineage of the leaf epidermis. She received her bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Western Washington University and plans to attend grad school for computational and plant biology. In her free time, she enjoys baking and rock climbing and is currently trying to learn how to do a handstand.
Favorite plant: Ophrys apifera (“bee orchid”)
Gabriel Angres
Staff Research Associate
M.S. University of Nevada, Reno – Biochemistry
Gabriel is a lab technician who seeks to solve outstanding problems in plant biochemistry through context-specific applied modeling techniques. He received his Master’s Degree in Biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno and plans to attend grad school for computational and agricultural biology. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, game design, music writing, and cooking.
Favorite plant: Opuntia ficus-indica, the prickly pear cactus.
Lili Follett
Master’s student
Lili is a current Master’s student. She completed her B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology at UC San Diego. She is interested in how the cell cycle affects nuclear positioning in Arabidopsis. Lili hopes to pursue a career in either research or the business side of biotech.
Favorite plant: Thai Constellation Monstera.
Madison Goetz
Madison is a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology at UC San Diego. She is interested in understanding how different combinations of gene mutations can lead to uncontrolled cell divisions. She aims to pursue a PhD in cancer and stem cell research. In her free time she enjoys painting and watching movies.
Bianca Lopez
Bianca is a second year undergraduate researcher pursuing a B.S in Molecular and Cellular Biology at UC San Diego. She is interested in plant biology and is exploring new paths at the Muroyama lab. She plans to pursue graduate school with a specialization in plant research. Bianca enjoys crocheting, reading, and tending to her houseplants in her free time.
Favorite plant: Pinguicula
Julia Keum
Undergraduate Researcher
Julia is a 4th year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in General Biology and a minor in Science Education at UC San Diego. She is curious about plant molecular mechanism and phenological development that are helpful to combating climate change. After her B.S., she aims to pursue a Masters in General Biology to continue her research in plant development. Outside of academics, Julia enjoys gardening, trying out new food places, and gaming.
Tyler Castro
Undergraduate researcher
Tyler is a fourth year undergraduate student completing his B.S. in Human Biology with a minor in Psychology. He is interested in how the cytoskeleton plays a role in asymmetric cell divisions. After graduation, Tyler plans to continue his education to complete an accelerated B.S. in Nursing. In his spare time, Tyler likes to cook, go to the beach, and maintain his reef aquarium.
Hsuan-fan Chen
Undergraduate researcher
Fannie is a third year undergraduate student pursuing her B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology at UC San Diego. She is interested in the cellular mechanism and developmental biology. After her B.S., she plans to pursue a Masters in Cell Biology. Outside the lab, Fannie enjoys gaming, watching shows, and playing the guitar.
Favorite plant: Prunus campanulata
Kurt Mayer
Undergraduate researcher
Kurt is a fourth-year undergraduate researcher studying Cellular and Molecular Biology at UC San Diego. He is interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate determination and the role genetics plays in governing cell morphology. After his Bachelors, Kurt hopes to pursue a Masters in Molecular Biology and to pursue a career in biological research. Outside of the lab, Kurt enjoys snorkeling down at the Cove, hiking around Torrey Pines, and working on model kits.
Favorite plant: Poinsettia
Daniella Van Maele
Undergraduate researcher
Daniella is a third year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Biology- Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution with minors in Global Health and Japanese Studies at UC San Diego. She is interested in learning more about plant cellular differences between species, conservation biology, and the spread of plant diseases. She aims to attend graduate school and further pursue research in plant biology. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, and gardening.
Favorite plant: Cylindropuntia bigelovii (“teddy bear cholla”)
Aviel Cleveland
Undergraduate researcher
Aviel is a third year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in General Biology at UC San Diego. He is interested in learning about how to encode climate resistant traits into Arabidopsis. He is excited to begin graduate school and research how to fight climate change via genetics. He also enjoys spending his free time rock climbing, surfing, and chefing it up in the kitchen when he has the time.
Former members
Rotation students
Sam Altshuler (2022)
Roberto Amos (2022)
Sindy Chavez (2022)
Sungwoo Park (2023)
Research Associates
Nathaniel Takatsuno (2021-2022)
Undergraduate students
Wai Lam Hong (2021-2023)
Justin Lagala (2023)
Linghang Kong (2021)
Margot Phillips (2021-2022)
Summer students
Lizbeth Rodriguez (Upward Bound student, 2022)
Ivan Jaramillo (ENLACE student, 2022)
Aranza Leija (ENLACE student, 2022)