MEET THE TEAM

Get to know us better, including our scientific pursuits and hobbies outside the lab. Check out our gallery to honor our team’s milestones and accomplishments, celebrating each member’s contributions along the way!

A friendly latin woman in her 30s to 40s is depicted in the photo. Her skin is light, she has long, straight dark hair and well-defined eyebrows that match her hair color. Her almond-shaped dark eyes complement her clear complexion, and her prominent dimples add a touch of charm to her smiling face. She is wearing a long-sleeved black blouse, with small earrings adorning her ears. The photo captures her in a relaxed and joyful expression. She stands front positioned against a slightly blurred backdrop of a park with grass, a trail, and trees.

Assistant Professor & Principal Investigator

Débora Sobreira

Débora is a passionate geneticist with a specialization in human genetics, developmental biology, and gene regulation. Her primary focus revolves around advancing our knowledge of non-coding genetic variations and their impact on biological processes. With a deep curiosity for the intricacies of the genome, Débora is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of non-coding regions and their role in shaping development, disease susceptibility, and overall genetic diversity.

Débora completed her M.Sc research at the University of Campinas in Brazil, studying the role of Dact 1 and Dact2 during mesoderm and ectoderm development. This experience ignited her curiosity about the fundamental regulatory mechanisms governing multi-potent mesodermal precursor cells, particularly in the context of limb birth defects and human diseases. Driven by her passion for understanding the genetic control of human limb development, she pursued her Ph.D., at the University of Campinas, aiming to unravel the intricate interplay between modulators of WNT and TGF-β signaling during limb development, thereby shedding light on the underlying intracellular regulatory networks. Throughout her doctoral studies, Débora was fascinated by the process of gene regulation during development and its pivotal role in orchestrating the precise temporal and spatial expression of genes. This fascination sparked her interest in investigating how gene regulation can help an organism respond to its environment and also contribute to diseases. To further expand her research expertise, Débora pursued a postdoctoral position at the Nobrega Lab at the University of Chicago. During her postdoc, she focused on developing an empirical framework to study the complex architecture of traits. Her work involved employing a diverse range of methodologies, including functional genomics and the development of innovative platforms for linking genetic variants to their functional consequences. Through her research, Débora aimed to uncover key insights into the intricate interplay between genetic variation and phenotypic outcomes, ultimately advancing our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of complex traits. Beyond the walls of the lab, you'll likely find her exploring museums, appreciating art and history. She also has a green thumb and enjoys taking care of her plants. In the kitchen, Débora takes a scientific approach to her cooking and baking, experimenting with flavors and techniques to create delicious Brazilian dishes. And of course, she never goes without her trusty cup of coffee, which fuels her curiosity and energizes her throughout her scientific and personal endeavors.

A Hungarian woman in her early 30's. Her straight, light brown hair is tied behind her head. Small butterfly earrings adorn her ears. Her hazel eyes are framed by well-defined eyebrows, in the same hair color. She wears a large and sincere smile, with dimples in her cheeks. She is dressed in a white polka dot light blue shirt. Positioned in the front, the background features a slightly blurred scene of dense vegetation, with a beautiful blossom Jacaranda tree exhibiting lilac flowers.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Hanna Liliom

Hanna has a background in neuroscience, holding an MSc and a PhD from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. She conducted research under the guidance of Dr. Katalin Schlett, exploring neuronal signaling pathways and the cellular response to oxidative stress. Hanna also gained expertise in human stem cells and induced neuronal models while working with Dr. Kristin K. Baldwin at Columbia University during her first postdoc research. During this time , she co-led a pipeline focused on inducing human fibroblasts into specific neuronal subtypes. Currently, in her second post-doctoral position at the Sobreira Lab, Hanna's research focuses on genetic and epigenetic analyses. She investigates the functional implications of genetic variants in human GWAS, particularly in relation to human-specific brain disorders, across diverse backgrounds. Outside of her work, Hanna enjoys birdwatching and spending time in nature.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Hanna Liliom

A Latina woman in her 30s with long, medium brown hair that is slightly wavy at the ends. Her well-groomed eyebrows match her hair color, and she has clear blue eyes. She wears subtle makeup and a black blouse. The photo is framed from the shoulders up, with a bright, softly blurred background.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D. in Molecular and Morphofunctional Biology from the University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil, with a focus on analyzing the responsiveness of glioma tumors to therapeutic agents derived from animal venom. Master’s degree in Cellular and Structural Biology from Unicamp, where I studied the effects of bioactive molecules with chemotherapeutic potential on the morphology and migration of brain tumor cells. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher investigating the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of synthetic peptides derived from spider venom in glioblastoma models. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, watching TV series, spending time with family and friends, and discovering new restaurants.

Natalia Barreto dos Santos

A captivating young Hawaiian woman in her 20s with long, wavy dark hair and delicate eyebrows. She has elongated, dark eyes, slightly brown skin with a few freckles, and a gently smiling expression. Her nose has a straight ridge and softly rounded tip. With a diamond face shape and high cheekbones, she wears a light gray turtleneck blouse. One flower is caught in a lock of her hair, which flies to the left side. She stands front positioned against a background showcasing a beautiful blossom cherry tree with intense pink flowers and a few leaves.

Graduate Student

Kailee Yoshimura

Kailee is a graduate student in the Cell and Developmental Biology home area under MBI. She is originally from Hawaii, where she obtained her bachelors in Cell Biology at University of Hawaii at Hilo. In the Sobreira Lab, Kailee focuses on the integration of functional analyses with polygenic risk scores with the goal to improve its predictive capability in regards to obesity. In her free time she enjoys traveling, binge watching shows, hanging out with friends, and trying new restaurants.

Seolyn (Lynn) Yang

Graduate Student

Lynn is a graduate student in the Gene Regulation, Epigenomics and Transcriptomics home area under MBI. Originally from Seoul, Korea, she moved to LA for her Bachelor’s and Master’s studies at USC, where she investigated transcription factors and differentially-bound enhancers in various cancer types. Lynn’s main focus in the Sobreira Lab at UCLA is to manipulate regulatory regions relevant to obesity and disease using CRISPR technology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, hanging out with friends and family (cat included), and eating good food.

An Indian woman in her late 20s with dark brown, slightly wavy shoulder-length hair and medium brown eyes. Her well-designed eyebrows arch gracefully. She smiles gently, wearing dark-framed glasses and a dangling earring. Her blue shirt, adorned with white outlined lotus flowers, has sleeves rolled up to the elbow and a discreet V-neck detail with three front buttons. She stands in a beautiful garden with tall trees and tussocks under a sunny blue sky, beside a tree with a smooth, branched trunk.

Graduate Student

Shreya Kordale

Shreya is a graduate student in the Gene Regulation, Epigenomics, and Transcriptomics home area. She got her Bachelor’s in Microbiology, Chemistry, and Zoology from St. Joseph’s College in Bangalore, India. Following that she obtained her Master’s in Biomedical Science Research from the University of Bristol, UK. She did a post-baccalaureate research program at the National Cancer Institute developing a CRISPR-based approach to studying alternative splicing in mammalian cells. In the Sobreira Lab, Shreya focuses on using iPSC-derived cells and multi-omics approaches to investigate polycystic ovarian syndrome. In her free time, Shreya loves cooking, dancing, volunteering, and spending time with friends.

A Mexican-American woman in her early 30s, with long, slightly wavy, dark hair and a serene, relaxed expression. Her well-defined eyebrows match the color of her hair, and she has brown eyes with a gentle upturned shape. Her olive skin complements the discreet cat-eye eyeliner flick. She stylishly wears a dark draped front jacket over a light-colored shirt, showcasing her modern style. No adornments are present. The image captures her in front of a beautiful brick-patterned building with an arch construction in the background.

Meli Renteria

Post-bacc Student

Meli is a SoCal native. She recently earned a B.S. in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology from UCLA and minoring in Biomedical Research. She has been involved in atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and renal denervation therapy research. In addition, she gained experience working with a team in the biodesign process for patients managing peritoneal dialysis with DxD Health Tech at Stanford University. In the Sobreira Lab, she is investigating how genetic variations influence development and function of adipocytes in complex diseases, such as obesity. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, spending time with family and enjoying the local beaches.

Undergraduate Student

Candace Baik

Candace is a Bioengineering undergraduate student from SoCal. In the Sobreira Lab, she is assisting Kailee in her research into polygenic risk scores for obesity. Post graduation, she hopes to work in the gene therapy/genetic engineering industry. Outside of the Sobreira Lab, she is also involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and hiking the local trails with friends and family.

Margo Azzam

Undergraduate Student

Margo is a second-year undergraduate Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology student. She has experience working with stem cells and the genetics of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, so she hopes to continue studying the mechanisms of gene regulation in hepatocytes and stem cells at the Sobreira Lab. In the future, she would like to either pursue research or medicine. Outside of the lab, she enjoys bouldering, drinking tea, and playing word games

Undergraduate Student

Pearl Macias

Pearl is a fourth-year Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology student minoring in Biomedical Research. In the Sobreira Lab, she assists Shreya in researching genetic variants linked to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Outside the lab, she serves as a peer counselor for SOÑAR at UCLA. In her free time, Pearl enjoys trying new foods, traveling, visiting the beach, and playing video games.

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ALUMNI
Postdoctoral Researcher

Gabriela graduated in Nutrition from UNIRIO, Brazil, with expertise in Food Science and Technology, particularly in characterizing bioactive compounds in Brazilian fruits. She obtained her PhD in Experimental Nutrition from USP, focusing on nutrient-epigenome interaction and its connection to obesity during the male pre-conception period. Gabriela is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Nutritional Genomics and Inflammation, USP. Her project involves developing a polygenic risk score for energy intake regulation, correlating it with data from a population-based study in São Paulo, Brazil. Additionally, she's a visiting postdoctoral fellow at the Sobreira Lab, working on validating the score in the California population using Perturb-seq technology. In her spare time, Gabriela enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and her dog, Fred, and enjoying tennis and cycling.