I am a PhD student in the Department of Bioengineering at UC San Diego, working in Dr. Karsten Zengler's Lab. My work sits at the intersection of deep-tech research and commercialization, where I develop microbiome therapeutics while actively engaging in the biotech venture ecosystem.

Research Focus: UroCom & MetaRibo-Seq My doctoral research centers on the development of "Urocom," a model synthetic community designed to physiologically mimic the urinary tract microbiome. To move beyond simple abundance profiling, I utilize the MIND technique and MetaRibo-Seq (ribosome profiling) to capture a high-resolution snapshot of active protein translation. This allows me to map precise substrate preferences and define ecological niches within the community. By integrating this with MetaDNA-Seq and MetaRNA-Seq, I aim to identify therapeutic targets and develop strategies to modulate the urobiome, offering new solutions for conditions such as Interstitial Cystitis.

Venture & Biotechnology Leadership Complementing my scientific research, I am deeply embedded in the life sciences commercialization ecosystem. I currently serve as a Venture Analyst at Aquillius Ventures and a Venture Fellow at the Rady School of Management, where I evaluate early-stage technologies and investment opportunities. I also bridge the gap between academia and industry as the Assistant Director of Partnerships for Nucleate San Diego and a Technology Management Fellow at the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur (IGE). Additionally, I support education in bio-business as a Teaching Assistant for the graduate-level Business of Biotech course.

Background & Education Prior to my doctoral studies, I served as a Post-baccalaureate IRTA Fellow at the National Institute on Aging (NIH), investigating mouse aging models in the Experimental Gerontology Section under Dr. Rafael DeCabo. I hold a B.S. in Bioengineering from UC Riverside.

Beyond the Lab Outside of research and venture analysis, I enjoy Formula 1, pickle ball, hiking San Diego’s trails, and engaging in science communication to inspire the next generation of researchers.

Affiliations

• The Zengler Lab: zenglerlab.com

• ARPA-H PROTECT Project: Probiotics and Prebiotics to Prevent Respiratory Infections

• Aquillius Ventures: aquillius.com

• Nucleate San Diego: nucleate.xyz