Current Undergraduate Students
Neil Tsai (2024-present)
I am currently in my second year at UC Berkeley studying Conservation and Resource Studies and Nutritional Sciences with an emphasis in Toxicology. I am particularly interested in how the role of chemical defenses can influence ecological interactions and species adaptation. Outside the lab, I enjoy listening to music, going on backpacking/hiking trips, and running!
Contact: 0708neil [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Erin Yang (2024-present)
I'm a second year intending to major in Molecular Environmental Biology. Currently, I'm working on the Toxic Flies project, which aligns with my interests in genetics and animal health. I am also interested in research that intersects environmental, animal, and human health. Outside of the lab, you may find me exploring new restaurants, playing piano, drawing, or playing games with friends.
Contact: erinyang [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Prabin Gharti (2023-present)
I am a third year undergraduate majoring in Integrative Human Biology. Right now I am engaged in research where we are looking over amphibians' chemical defense mechanisms. My interests include regenerative medicine, evolution, human biology and chemistry in general and in terms of non- academic stuff, I love travelling, playing guitar and listening to poetries.
Contact: prabingharti [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Chenhey Chu (2024-present)
I am a sophomore studying Molecular Environmental Biology with an intended minor in Marine Science. My passions lie in animal health, ecology, evolutionary biology, and working towards wildlife conservation under shifting environmental pressures. Currently, I will be helping research the effects of toxin exposure on poison frogs to understand chemical defense mechanisms. Outside the lab, I love painting people or animals, spending time in nature, and playing the piano!
Contact: chenhey [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Lizbeth Garcia (2022-present)
I am an incoming third-year student intending to major in Public Health on a pre-PA route. Currently I am helping conduct lab work to identify the sex and ploidy of several snake samples. I love doing research because I want to be able to translate scientific research to the community as there is a need to increase multilingualism in science communication. Outside of the lab I enjoy baking, taking walks and traveling.
Contact: lizbeth.garcia [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Derek Tee (2024-present)
I am a junior transfer majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. My passions now align with medicine, evolutionary biology, and molecular gastronomy. At the moment, I’m interested in one of the many ways that neurotoxins like tetrodotoxins evolved within Pacific newts to gain a holistic approach to understanding medicine and evolution within species. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, planning + riding the local public transit, learning new random skills, and tackling the ever-complex issue of global inequality.
Contact: derektee [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Alina Tran (2024-present)
I am a first year Genetics and Plant Biology student aiming to eventually work in genotyping and bioinformatics. I am interested in studying the genetic evolution of animals and plants as it deals with the specific genomes that are involved. Currently involved with the fly project, I am involved in studying how the evolution of one animal can become a model for an animal with more complex structure. Beyond the lab, I enjoy playing jazz and doing traditional Vietnamese dance.
Contact: inatrn [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Puja Iyer (2021-present)
I am interested in further exploring the relationship between molecular genetics and evolution, specifically how gene expression and epigenetics affect organismal response to both human and natural pressures. I am also interested in researching the ancestry of an organism and how it evolved to its modern-day form. I am also dedicated to the pursuit of conservation, preservation, and rescue of our world's many ecosystems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy dancing and swimming, spending time with family and friends, and learning new things.
Contact: puvaiy2 [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Peter (Zhiyang) Chen (2022-present)
I am a second year student major in Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology and minor in Data science. I am curious about how genetics and genomics expression affect the organismal phenotype. I love being in the nature environment and observe insect behavior. I also learned how to capture insects and making specimens. I enjoy reading and making video clips.
Contact: chenzhiyang2020 [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Pia dela Cruz (2022-present)
I am a second-year undergraduate intending to study Integrative Biology. Currently, I am involved in a comprehensive chemical defense review of frogs that expands upon trends in amphibian evolution. My interests include herpetology, evolutionary biology, developmental endocrinology, the Anthropocene, and genetics. Beyond the lab, I love writing poetry, crocheting, and reading tarot cards.
Contact: sophie.delacruz [at] berkeley [dot] edu