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Principal Investigator
Dr. Campbell is a new assistant professor in the department of Neurosciences at UCSD Health, in the Division of Pediatric Neurology. Dr. Campbell did her graduate training with Dr. Gordon Fishell in New York University’s medical scientist training program, and her postdoctoral training with Dr.’s Edmund Au and Chaolin Zhang at Columbia University Medical Center.
Dr. Campbell is passionate about helping both neurons and people achieve their full potential. A former executive board member of the Columbia postdoc union, Dr. Campbell believes in achieving good science by supporting the people who do it.
When she’s not in the lab, Melissa loves gardening, baking, biking, and enjoying nature with her husband (also a scientist) and three young children (exploring their options).
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Postdoctoral Scholar
Marielle received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Seattle, where she studied the development and regeneration of inner ear sensory organs in the lab of Dr. David Raible. Marielle is interested in neuronal specification and the impact of the microenvironment on development and neurodegeneration. Outside of lab, Marielle enjoys sewing, knitting, and teaching her cat how to do tricks.
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Postdoctoral Scholar
Ben received his B.S. from UC Santa Cruz and studied patient-derived models of Parkinson’s disease in Rusty Gage’s lab at the Salk Institute. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine, where he trained with Greg Petsko and developed fluorescent protein tools, including mGreenLantern and hyperfolder YFP. He subsequently worked in biotechnology on preclinical AAV gene therapies for ALS.
Ben now engineers fluorescent biosensors that enable real-time, quantitative imaging of redox biology in cells and organisms. His work focuses on developing bright, high-contrast spectral variants for multicolor and subcellular imaging, with applications across neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration, psychiatric disorders, and neuroimmune signaling.
Outside the lab, Ben enjoys organic gardening, hiking, tennis, classical music, dubstep, hummingbirds, and spending time with his three children. -
Postdoctoral Scholar
Yujie received his Ph.D. from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, where he focused on microtubule organization and intracellular transport during neuronal development. In his current position, Yujie's research focuses primarily on interneuron differentiation. Beyond his work in the lab, he has a passion for electronic music, photography, and video games.
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Postdoctoral Scholar
Jungeun obtained a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from both Seoul National University and Georgia Institute of Technology. Her interest lies in applying engineering techniques to model the neuromicroenvironment, with the aim of discovering new findings in Neuroscience. Besides her research work, Jungeun enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and traveling with her spouse.
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Graduate Student
Vani is a Ph.D. student in the Neurosciences Graduate Program, co-mentored by Dr. Melissa Campbell and Dr. Eric Courchesne. Her thesis work aims to uncover biological mechanisms underlying heterogeneity in autism spectrum disorder, and connect this neurodevelopmental biology to individual clinical phenotypes and brain function. Vani is highly involved in science communication, both through hosting events with Taste of Science (https://tasteofscience.org/san-diego) and writing articles with NeuWrite (https://neuwritesd.org/). Outside of the lab, Vani loves to dance and bake French pastries!
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Laboratory Manager
Jeff has over 20 years of laboratory set-up and management experience at UCSD. He brings a wealth of experience to manage multiple basic-translational laboratories, and numerous operational, regulatory and budgetary complexities within a diverse, multi-institutional collaborative research environment. In his spare time, Jeff loves exploring local craft breweries, motorcycles, and escaping to his cabin out of town.
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Undergraduate Student Researcher
Taryne is a second-year undergraduate student at UCSD, pursuing a B.S. in Neurobiology & a B.A. in Environmental Systems - Policy. She is working alongside Marielle Beaulieu to investigate how the Ryk intracellular domain affects interneuron development. After graduating, Taryne aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental Health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography, and exploring new cafes.
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Undergraduate Student Researcher
Eleanor is pre-med (Class of 2027) at UCSD majoring in Neurobiology. She is interested both in research and clinical care. Eleanor was introduced to neuroscience at the UCSD Rangamani Lab, where she collaborated with the Salk Institute to study neuronal plasticity in marmosets. Her current work is investigating environmental effects on neurodevelopment of mice. In her free time, she enjoys visual art, reading, exploring San Diego, and learning about the many cultures she has the pleasure to meet.
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Undergraduate Student Researcher
Anya is a third-year undergraduate at UCSD, pursuing her B.S. in Neurobiology. She is currently working with Dr. Marielle Beaulieu with the Ryk intracellular domain and how it can affect interneuron specification. Anya aspires to work in the medical field and integrate new innovations in her work. Outside of the lab, she enjoys trying new foods, listening to music, and going on hikes.
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Volunteer Research Assistant
Alex graduated from UCSD in 2025 with a B.S. in General Biology and a minor in Environmental Systems. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine after graduation. Outside of the lab he is involved in multiple medical service clubs, co-captains the UCSD rock climbing team, and enjoys spending time exploring the nature around San Diego.