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Melissa Campbell, M.D., Ph.D.
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 young daughter (exploring her options).
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Yujie Cao, Ph.D.
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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Jungeun Lim, Ph.D.
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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Marielle Beaulieu, Ph.D.
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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Vani Taluja, B.S.
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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Srija Pamujula, B.S.
Lab Assistant
Srija graduated from UCSD with a B.S. in Neurobiology. She is interested in many areas of neuroscience including epileptogenesis. She plans on applying for medical school in the future in order to pursue her passion for Neuroscience in a clinical setting. Apart from being in lab, she hopes to work as an EMT in order to further her interest in EMS in the near future. In her free time, Srija loves to paint, cook and dance.
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Hamza Thange, B.S.
Lab Assistant
Hamza graduated from UCSD with a B.S. in Neurobiology. He is currently working on projects for epilepsy and interneuron differentiation while also planning to apply to medical school. In his free time he enjoys running and reading sci-fi.
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Ananya Achanta
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Ananya is a freshman at UCSD who is pursuing a B.S. in Neurobiology. She is interested in neuroscience and the impact of metabolism on autism and epilepsy. Ananya wants to pursue an M.D/Ph.D to pursue her passions in research and clinical work. Outside of school and research, Ananya likes to play the piano, read, and explore beaches in San Diego.
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Eleanor Jung
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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Meika Tomita
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Meika is a second-year undergraduate at UCSD, pursuing a B.S. in Human Biology. In the Campbell Lab, she is investigating phenotypic variability and stress responses in interneurons with Dan Moakley. Meika aspires to a career that bridges research and clinical practice. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and trying new ice cream flavors!
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Alex Tan
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Alex is a fourth year undergraduate student at UCSD pursuing 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.
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Jeffrey Smith, B.S.
Developmental Neurosciences Program Manager
Jeff has nearly 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, flying, motorcycles, and escaping to his cabin out of town.