Lab Members

Alessandra (Ale) Ciullo, PhD, is a postdoctoral scientist studying therapeutic EV and small non-coding RNA signaling in cardiac injury. Ale holds a doctorate in integrative molecular medicine from the Center for Molecular Cardiology of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, in collaboration with the Swiss Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino.

Xaviar (Mike) Jones completed his medical training in Córdoba, Argentina, and has pursued a career in academic medicine. His work focuses on the application of engineered RNA therapeutics in models of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as systemic sclerosis.

Shukuro Yamaguchi received his medical degree from Kanazawa University and completed his doctoral program at Nagoya University in Japan. His research interests include cardiac regeneration-related cell biology and new drug-delivery systems. His research focuses on the development of RNA-based therapeutics for cardiac indications

Arati Naveen Kumar is a graduate student studying the mechanism of Y-derived small RNA signaling, particularly in the context of cardiac tissue repair.

Ashley Morris is studying physiological sciences at UCLA and expects to graduate in June 2022. Ashley is investigating the therapeutic application of extracellular vesicles and engineered small non-coding RNA molecules in models of myocardial infarction.

Jamie Lee is studying physiological sciences with a minor in neuroscience. Upon graduating, she plans to attend medical school. She hopes to further her research skills and direct her own research project in the near future.