Lab Personnel

Felix Grün - Felix received his Ph.D. from Cornell University. He worked on identifying the environmental agents responsible for the outbreak of deformed frogs in North America and is currently leading the effort to understand how organotin exposure predisposes humans and animals to obesity and diabetes.

		Mai Elobeid - Mai received her Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Arkansas State University and postdoctoral training in epidemiology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Mai joined the lab in summer 2008 and is working on the connection between obesity and cancer.
		Severiné Kirchner - Severine received her Ph.D. in nutrition at the University of Bordeaux. She is working on the role of organotins as obesogens that lead to adult obesity after prenatal exposure. She joined the laboratory in July 2007.
		Marte Rusten - Marte is a visiting postdoctoral fellow from the University of Bergen, Norway. She is working on the
		If you are interested in pursuing posdoctoral studies in our laboratory, please send a CV, statement of research interests and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Blumberg. A strong background in Genomics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology and/or nuclear receptor biology is required.

		Stephanie Casey - Stephanie joined the lab in Spring 2007 and is working on the role of SXR in modulating NF-kB activity with an emphasis on inflammation and cancer.
		Denise Stephens - Denise joined the lab in Spring 2007 and is working on the role of TBT in promoting adipocyte differentiation. Denise graduated from the Arizona State University.
		Suman Verma - Suman joined the lab in Summer 2004 and is working on the role of SXR as a target for blocking the proliferation of breast cancer cells.
		John Ycaza - Johnny joined the lab in summer 2006. He is working on the role of organotins in promoting obesity through the nuclear receptors PPARg and RXR.
		Positions are available - please see the links to the MBGB graduate program on our home page and contact Dr. Blumberg directly. We are always interested in highly motivated graduate students.

		Dejoie Blumberg - Dejoie joined the lab in spring 2006 and is working together with Johnny on the role of TBT in promoting adipogenesis, obesity, and diabetes through activation of RXR and PPARg.
		Leah Parilla - Leah is working together with Severine to understand the role of prenatal chemical exposure on obesity. She joined the lab in Summer 2007 and is also the lab manager.
		Mao Taketani - Mao is a recent UCI graduate who is working together with Bruce and Amanda on the interactions between RAR and FGF signaling pathways during early development. Mao joined the lab in Spring 2007.

		Connie Chow - Connie is a junior BioSci major working together with Denise on the effects of TBT on human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differnetiation. Connie joined the lab in Winter, 2008
		Starlynn Clarke - Star is a senior BioSci major. She is working together with Severine on the role of prenatal TBT exposure on adult obesity. She joined the lab in summer 2008.
		Tiffany Kieu - Tiffany is a senior Developmental and Cell Biology major working together with Severine on the role of environmental obesogens on the development of fat cells.
		BioSci 199 positions are occasionally available during the academic year. Please contact Dr. Blumberg directly and check the BioSci 199 website for more information.

		Amanda Janesick - Amanda rotated in the lab during Summer 2008. She is working together with Bruce on the computational identification of RAR-dependent signaling pathways and their interaction with FGF8 signaling in the early Xenopus embryo.




		positions are available - we are always interested in motivated work study students. Please contact Leah or Mao (824-6873) to apply. Sorry, we are not currently hiring students who do not have workstudy money.

		Arielle Blumberg - Arielle works here in the summers and on days off. She is a budding developmental and molecular biologist. She helps to keep the lab supplied with tips and also serves as the "fashion police" to be sure that everyone looks their best.
		Michelle Chong - Michelle is a senior ACS summer fellow at Troy High School. She is working together with Stephanie on the role of SXR in cancer progression.