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Faculty List

All current faculty in the Division of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego. Visit a faculty member's profile to find out more about their research, or find contact details in the faculty directory.

# Name Section Title Research
Ackerman Susan Ackerman Neuro Stephen W. Kuffler Chair in Biology Professor Cellular and Molecular Medicine Genetic analysis of homeostasis and degeneration of mammalian neurons
Akbari Omar Akbari CDB Associate Professor Developing innovative control systems in insects
Aljadeff Johnatan (Yonatan) Aljadeff Neuro Assistant Professor New Theoretical neuroscience: Neuronal and synaptic basis of learning; Relating network dynamics to function.
Allen Eric Allen MB Professor Marine Biology Research Division Genomic biology and diversity of marine environmental and host-associated microbiomes
Allen Nicola Allen Neuro Adjunct Professor Salk Astrocyte-neuron interaction in health and disease
Aoi Mikio Aoi Neuro Assistant Professor Halicioglu Institute for Data Science New
Armour Jon Armour Neuro Teaching Professor
Asahina Kenta Asahina Neuro Assistant Adjunct Professor Genetic, neuronal and circuitry bases of animal social interactions
Ayres Janelle Ayres CDB Associate Adjunct Professor Salk
Azim Eiman Azim Neuro Assistant Adjunct Professor Salk Defining how neural circuits control movement
Baker Tim Baker MB Professor Emeritus Chemistry & Biochemistry Cryoelectron microscopy and three-dimensional, computer reconstruction of macromolecules
Banghart Matthew Banghart Neuro Assistant Professor Molecular, cellular, and circuit mechanisms of cognitive and pharmacological pain modulation driven by the development of novel photochemical and pharmacological tools.
Barton Andrew Barton EBE Assistant Professor SIO Department Biological oceanography; ecology and physiology of marine plankton; biodiversity, biogeography, and macroecology; climate impacts on marine ecosystems.
Benna Marcus Benna Neuro Assistant Professor New Computational and theoretical neuroscience; neural data analysis; synaptic plasticity, learning and memory; representational geometry.
Bennett Eric Bennett CDB Associate Professor Deciphering how protein homeostasis dysfunction impacts cellular and tissue function. Research in the Bennett lab broadly investigates cellular stress response and quality controls pathways.
Berg Darwin Berg Neuro Distinguished Professor Emeritus Cellular and molecular mechanisms of synapse formation, nicoinic signaling, and neural network construction
Bier Ethan Bier CDB Tata Chancellor\'s Endowed Professorship in Cell & Developmental Biology Distinguished Professor Molecular and genetic analysis of Drosophila neural development
Bloodgood Brenda Bloodgood Neuro Associate Professor neurophysiology, molecular mechanisms of synapse and circuit plasticity
Briggs Steve Briggs CDB Distinguished Professor We study three aspects of plant cell & developmental biology: hybrid vigor (heterosis); resistance to infectious disease; and epigenomic regulation of gene expression.
Brody Stuart Brody MB Professor Emeritus Biochemical genetics of circadian rhythms and mitochondrial membranes in Neurospora
Busch Wolfgang Busch CDB Associate Adjunct Professor Salk Systems Genetics of Roots and Plant Based Carbon Drawdown
Butler Madeline Butler Neuro Teaching Professor Emeritus
Chalasani Sreekanth Chalasani Neuro Associate Adjunct Professor Salk
Chao Lin Chao EBE Professor Theory and genetics of evolutionary processes
Chilukuri Lakshmi Chilukuri MB Provost of Sixth College Associate Teaching Professor Sixth College
Chisholm Andrew Chisholm Neuro Associate Dean Professor Morphogenesis, axon regeneration and wound healing in C. elegans.
Choe Senyon Choe MB Adjunct Professor Qualcomm Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology
Chrispeels Maarten Chrispeels CDB Distinguished Professor Emeritus What are the most effective pedagogical approaches to create scientific literacy?
Cleland Elsa Cleland EBE Professor EBE Vice Chair Responses of wild plants to global environmental changes; ecology and evolutionary ecology.
Coleman Aaron Coleman MB Teaching Professor
Cook-Andersen Heidi Cook-Andersen MB Assistant Professor Combining genetic, molecular and cutting-edge genome-wide approaches to uncover the mechanisms driving reprogramming to totipotency during the transition from oocyte to embryo
Cooke James Cooke Neuro Assistant Teaching Professor Undergraduate learning; Retention of course content
Cooper Kimberly Cooper CDB Associate Professor Musculoskeletal development and diversity of form and function
Crawford Nigel Crawford CDB Professor Emeritus Plant molecular biology, control of gene expression and ion transport.
Daugherty Matthew Daugherty MB Assistant Professor Evolution of host-pathogen interactions and host immunity against infectious diseases
David Michael David MB Professor Mechanisms by which interferons and other cytokines activate the transcription of early response genes.
Desai Arshad Desai CDB Professor We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that ensure genome stability during cell division
Dickinson Alexandra Jazz Dickinson CDB Assistant Professor New Chemical biology of plant development and stress response
Dutton Rachel Dutton MB Associate Professor Mechanisms of microbial community formation using cheese as a model ecosystem
Ecker Joseph Ecker CDB Adjunct Professor Salk
Engle Dannielle Engle MB Assistant Adjunct Professor Salk Identifying early detection biomarkers and therapeutic vulnerabilities in organoid and mouse models of pancreatic cancer with a focus on glycosylation.
Ernst Andreas Ernst CDB Assistant Professor New Morphological and functional organization of the early secretory pathway
Estelle Mark Estelle CDB Tata Chancellor\'s Endowed Professorship (VI) in Cell and Developmental Biology Distinguished Professor CDB Chair Molecular genetics of plant hormone action; the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in plants.
Evans Ronald Evans CDB March of Dimes Chair in Molecular and Developmental Biology Adjunct Professor Salk
Farley Emma Farley MB Assistant Professor High-throughput functional approaches to understand how the instructions for successful development are encoded in our genomes
Feng Gen-sheng Feng MB Professor Pathology Molecular signaling in stem cells, metabolic disorders and cancer
Firtel Rick Firtel CDB Distinguished Professor Emeritus Mechanisms regulating gene expression and cell differentiation during development. G. proteins and signal transduction mechanisms.
Forbes Douglass Forbes CDB Professor Nuclear transport in vitro; nuclear pore structure; nuclear assembly
French Kathleen French Neuro Teaching Professor Emeritus
Gage Fred Gage Neuro John Adler Chair for Research on Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases Adjunct Professor Salk
Geiduschek E. Peter Geiduschek MB Research Professor Distinguished Professor Emeritus Biochemical and genetic approaches to the control of gene activity.
Gentner Tim Gentner Neuro Professor Psychology
Glasgow Stacey Glasgow Neuro Assistant Professor Defining mechanisms that regulate developmental gliogenesis and understanding how glial dysfunction can lead to neurodegenerative disorders and malignancies.
Golden James W. Golden MB Professor Genetics, molecular biology, and engineering of cyanobacteria with emphasis on genetic tools for biotechnology applications, biosynthetic genes for natural products, and grazing interactions
Golden Susan Golden MB HHMI Professor Chancellor\'s Associates Chair (III) in Molecular Biology Director, Center for Circadian Biology Distinguished Professor Regulation of circadian rhythms and bio-products in cyanobacteria.
Goldrath Ananda Goldrath MB Tata Chancellor\'s Endowed Professorship (V) in Molecular Biology Professor Generation and maintenance of T cell immunity.
Goulding Martyn Goulding Neuro Adjunct Professor Salk
Grant Barry Grant MB Associate Teaching Professor Our research involves the use of computational approaches, based on both biophysics and bioinformatics, to study the structure, function and evolution of key biological macromolecules.
Green Melvin Green CDB Professor Emeritus
Greenspan Ralph Greenspan Neuro Co-Director, Cal-BRAIN Associate Director, Kavli Institute for the Brain and Mind Professor Cognitive Science My research addresses genetic mechanisms underlying behavior: genes, circuits, and physiology in Drosophila.
Halpain Shelley Halpain Neuro Professor Molecular mechanisms of morphogenesis of axons, dendrites, and synapses; time-lapse imaging of cytoskeletal dynamics.
Hampton Randy Hampton CDB Professor Genetics and molecular biology of protein degradation in yeast.
Han Sung Han Neuro Assistant Adjunct Professor Salk
Hao Nan Hao MB Associate Professor The design principles of molecular networks governing regulatory responses to stresses, aging or diseases
Hargreaves Diana Hargreaves MB Assistant Adjunct Professor Salk
Hasty Jeff Hasty MB Professor
Hedrick Stephen Hedrick MB Chancellor\'s Associates Chair VII Distinguished Professor Immune recognition and development.
Helinski Donald Helinski MB Professor Emeritus
Hetzer Martin Hetzer CDB Hearst Endorsement Professor Adjunct Professor Salk
Holway David Holway EBE Professor Biological invasions, social insects, trophic interactions.
Huffaker Alisa Huffaker CDB Assistant Professor Signal transduction regulating plant innate immunity
Hui Enfu Hui CDB Assistant Professor Immune checkpoints signaling
Hunter Tony Hunter MB American Cancer Society Professor Adjunct Professor Salk
Hwa Terry Hwa MB Presidential Chair II Department of Physics Distinguished Professor Physics The Hwa lab develops quantitative approaches to gain predictive understanding of microbial systems, from molecular interactions to microbial physiology and ecology.
Izpisua Belmonte Juan carlos Izpisua Belmonte CDB Adjunct Professor Salk
Jackrel Sara Jackrel EBE Assistant Professor New Effects of intraspecific variation, including host-associated microbes, on aquatic communities and ecosystems.
Jin Xin Jin Neuro Associate Adjunct Professor Salk
Jin Yishi Jin Neuro Junior Seau Foundation Endowed Chair in Traumatic Brain Injury Distinguished Professor Molecular genetic mechanisms of synapse formation, neuron circuit regulation and nerve regeneration.
Jones Katherine Jones MB Adjunct Professor Salk Transcription mechanisms in human disease.
Juavinett Ashley Juavinett Neuro Assistant Teaching Professor Course-based undergraduate research with open source datasets; education and careers in neuroscience
Jun Suckjoon Jun MB Associate Professor Physics
Kadonaga James Kadonaga MB Amylin Endowed Chair in Lifesciences Education and Research Distinguished Professor Transcriptional regulation and chromatin dynamics.
Kaech Susan Kaech MB Adjunct Professor Salk Understanding how T cells form, function and fight infection and cancer
Karlseder Jan Karlseder MB Adjunct Professor Salk
Kiger Amy Kiger CDB Associate Professor Cellular morphogenesis. Functional genomic analysis of cell shape changes in Drosophila development.
Kleinfeld David Kleinfeld Neuro Dr. George Feher Endowed Chair in Experimental Biophysics Distinguished Professor Physics Behavior, neuronal anatomy, and circuits dynamics for an integrative approach to active sensing; Angioarchitecture and neurovascular dynamics in the brain; Computational anatomy and biophotonics.
Kohn Joshua Kohn EBE Professor Plant population biology; mating system evolution; ecological genetics.
Komiyama Takaki Komiyama Neuro Professor Two-photon imaging of microcircuit modulations by behavior and learning in awake mice.
Kristan William Kristan Neuro Distinguished Professor Emeritus Neurobiology; neuronal basis of behavior; development of simple nervous systems.
Kronenberg Mitchell Kronenberg MB President and Chief Scientific Officer Adjunct Professor LJI
Kryazhimskiy Sergey Kryazhimskiy EBE Assistant Professor Evolutionary systems biology; experimental evolution
Kurle Carolyn Kurle EBE Associate Professor Applied conservation, trophic interactions, foraging ecology, food webs, stable isotope biogeochemistry, vertebrate ecology, and marine, coastal, and island ecosystems
Lande Russell Lande EBE Professor Emeritus
Lauberth Shannon Lauberth MB Assistant Professor
Law Julie Law CDB Assistant Adjunct Professor Salk
Lee Kuo Lee Neuro Adjunct Professor Salk
Leschziner Andres Leschziner MB Professor Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Leutgeb Jill Leutgeb Neuro Professor Systems Neuroscience; Neural network mechanisms underlying memory formation and retrieval.
Leutgeb Stefan Leutgeb Neuro Professor Neuro Chair Neural circuits for spatial computations and memory.
Lillemeier Bjorn Lillemeier MB Associate Adjunct Professor Salk
Lim Byungkook Lim Neuro Associate Professor
Lo Stanley Lo CDB Associate Teaching Professor Biology and STEM education; faculty conceptions of teaching, learning, and diversity; intersection of student identity, experience, and learning
Lovett-Barron Matthew Lovett-Barron Neuro Assistant Professor New We study the neurobiology of behavioral flexibility – investigating the brain-wide neural circuits of transparent fish as they adjust their behavior to different contexts.
Lu Li-Fan Lu MB Associate Professor Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of immune activation and immune suppression
Lundblad Victoria Lundblad MB Adjunct Professor Salk
Lykke-Andersen Jens Lykke-Andersen MB Professor Mechanisms of translation and mRNA turnover regulation in eukaryotic gene expression.
Lyumkis Dmitry Lyumkis MB Assistant Adjunct Professor Salk We use cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to decipher the structure and understand the function of large macromolecular assemblies associated with human diseases.
Macagno Eduardo Macagno CDB Distinguished Professor Functions of gap junctional proteins in the generation of neuronal arbors and neuronal circuits, and spatial navigation in visually and cognitively impaired individuals.
Madigan Cressida Madigan MB Assistant Professor Neurological infections and inflammation, including leprosy and tuberculosis
Malinow Roberto Malinow Neuro Shiley Endowed Chair in Alzheimer\'s Disease research in Honor of Dr. Leon Thal Distinguished Professor Neurosciences Synapses in brain function and dysfunction.
Markow Teri Markow CDB Professor Emeritus Speciation and adaptation to novel environments; Mating system evolution; Drosophila evolutionary genetics.
Mayfield Stephen Mayfield MB Director, California Center for Algae Biotechnology Co-director, Food & Fuel for the 21st Century Distinguished Professor Developing algae as a biotechnology platform for the production of biofuels and bio-products.
McDonnell Lisa McDonnell CDB Associate Teaching Professor Understanding how students develop scientific thinking skills and the impact of teaching methods on knowledge and skill development.
McGinnis Bill McGinnis CDB Distinguished Professor Emeritus Molecular genetics of Drosophila development and epidermal wound repair.
Mel Stephanie Mel MB Teaching Professor
Meyer Justin Meyer EBE Associate Professor Experimental evolution and synthetic biology of viruses.
Montal Maurice Montal Neuro Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Murre Cornelis Murre MB Distinguished Professor MB Chair Molecular and physical mechanisms that control the development of immune cells
Neal Sonya Neal CDB Assistant Professor Understanding the mechanistic underpinnings and medical importance of misfolded proteins, and how organisms use quality control pathways to mitigate this universal biological stress.
Nieh James Nieh EBE Associate Dean Professor The natural and man-made stressors of social bees, focusing on the Behavioral Ecology of bee foraging and communication, the neuroethology of learning, and bee health.
Nimmerjahn Axel Nimmerjahn Neuro Associate Adjunct Professor Salk
Niwa Rosen Maho Niwa Rosen MB Professor
O'Shea Clodagh O'Shea MB Adjunct Professor Salk
Oegema Karen Oegema CDB Professor Molecular mechanisms of cell division and how variation in the cell division machinery can be leveraged to engineer targeted chemotherapeutic strategies
Owens Melinda Owens Neuro Assistant Teaching Professor Biology education; developing tools to understand how college faculty teach; understanding how students reasons about biological topics
Panda Satchidananda Panda CDB Adjunct Professor Salk
Pasquinelli Amy Pasquinelli MB Professor Molecular genetic studies of microRNA pathways.
Patrick Gentry Patrick Neuro Professor
Pekkurnaz Gulcin Pekkurnaz Neuro Assistant Professor Neuronal metabolism and mitochondria
Perry Michael Perry CDB Assistant Professor Evolution and development of insect visual systems, from cell fate specification to visual function.
Petrie Katherine Petrie EBE Assistant Teaching Professor
Pfaff Samuel Pfaff Neuro Helen McLoraine Developmental Chair in Neurobiology Adjunct Professor Salk
Pillus Lorraine Pillus MB Professor Chromosome structure and function; genetics and epigenetics of transcription; position effects and transcriptional repression.
Pogliano Joseph Pogliano MB Professor DNA segregation in prokaryotes.
Pogliano Kit Pogliano MB Richard C. Atkinson Endowed Chair Dean Professor Bacterial cell dynamics and architecture during growth, development and antibiotic treatment.
Posakony Jim Posakony CDB Distinguished Professor Cell fate specification by cell-cell signaling and transcriptional regulation; enhancer architecture and evolution.
Price Paul Price MB Distinguished Professor Emeritus Analysis of protein structure and physiological function; post translational protein modification.
Pruneda-Paz Jose Pruneda-Paz CDB Associate Professor Molecular mechanisms that mediate circadian rhythms in plant stress and developmental responses.
Reck-Peterson Samara Reck-Peterson CDB Professor Cellular and Molecular Medicine Mechanisms of intracellular transport
Reese Aspen Reese EBE Assistant Professor New Ecology and evolution of the gut microbiota.
Reinagel Pamela Reinagel Neuro Associate Professor Computational neuroscience of decision-making
Rennison Diana Rennison EBE Assistant Professor New We are a group interested in the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity
Reuther Keefe Reuther EBE Assistant Teaching Professor
Rifkin Scott Rifkin EBE Associate Professor Evolutionary and developmental systems biology, variability of genetic networks in nematodes and yeast.
Rivera-Chavez Fabian Rivera-Chavez MB Assistant Professor Pediatrics New We use animal models to understand how microbial toxins modulate host/microbe metabolism during infection. Host/microbe interactions of enteric pathogens, including Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella.
Root Cory Root Neuro Assistant Professor Neural circuits mediating olfactory behaviors
Rosenfeld Michael Rosenfeld MB Professor of Medicine Adjunct Professor Medicine
Roy Kaustuv Roy EBE Professor Physical and biotic controls on the distribution and diversity of species in benthic marine ecosystems.
Russell Alistair Russell MB Assistant Professor Innate immunity to viral infections; the mechanisms delineating successful engagement of the interferon response
Ryder Oliver Ryder EBE Adjunct Professor San Diego Zoo
Saghatelian Alan Saghatelian CDB Adjunct Professor Salk
Saier Milton Saier MB Professor Transmembrane transport and the regulation of cellular physiology and transcription.
Schaechter Moselio Schaechter MB Adjunct Professor SDSU
Scheffler Immo Scheffler MB Professor Emeritus Somatic cell genetics. Molecular genetics of mammalian mitochondria.
Schmelz Eric Schmelz CDB Professor Chemical ecology; biochemical, physiological and genetic basis of induced plant defenses against insects and pathogens.
Schroeder Julian Schroeder CDB Torrey Mesa Research Institute Chair in Plant Science (aka Novartis) Distinguished Professor Cellular, molecular and systems level identification of drought, salinity-and heavy metal stress resistance signal transduction mechanisms in plants. Plant CO2 sensing and signal transduction.
Sejnowski Terrence Sejnowski Neuro Distinguished Professor Neurobiology; computational models of the nervous system; mechanisms for synaptic plasticity.
Shadel Gerald Shadel MB Adjunct Professor Salk In the Shadel lab, we study the role of mitochondria in disease, aging and the immune system.
Shaw Reuben Shaw MB Hearst Endorsement Professor Adjunct Professor Salk
Shiau Andrew Shiau CDB Professor of Practice New
Shurin Jonathan Shurin EBE Professor EBE Chair
Smith Doug Smith MB Professor Emeritus Molecular biology; DNA replication and repair; computer applications to biology.
Smith Laurie Smith CDB Professor Genetic, molecular, and proteomic analysis of division plane orientation in plant cells.
Spitzer Nicholas Spitzer Neuro Atkinson Family Chair Distinguished Professor Developmental neurobiology; activity-dependent expression of neuronal phenotypes. Neurotransmitter switching in the adult brain; mental illness.
Stockwell Sarah Stockwell EBE Assistant Teaching Professor
Su Chih-ying Su Neuro Associate Professor Molecular and cellular basis of olfactory information processing in the periphery.
Subramani Suresh Subramani MB Tata Chancellor\'s Endowed Professorship in Molecular Biology Distinguished Professor Emeritus Organelle homeostasis; peroxisome function and biogenesis; peroxisomal disorders; peroxisomal protein import; peroxisome turnover by autophagy.
Suel Gurol Suel MB Professor
Sun Xin Sun CDB Professor Pediatrics Development, Regeneration and Neural Circuit Control of Lung Function
Tour Ella Tour CDB Associate Teaching Professor
Traver David Traver CDB Professor Cellular and Molecular Medicine Vertebrate blood cell development, Biology of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, Immunity.
Troemel Emily Troemel CDB Professor Host/pathogen interactions in the roundworm C. elegans, including microsporidia and viral pathogens; connections between intracellular infection and proteostasis.
Tye Kay Tye Neuro Adjunct Professor Salk The Tye Lab investigates the neural circuits underlying emotion, motivation, and social behavior.
Villa Elizabeth Villa MB Assistant Professor Cryo-electron microscopy, structural cell biology
Wahl Geoffrey Wahl MB Adjunct Professor Salk
Wang Jing Wang Neuro Professor Neuro Vice Chair Systems neurobiology; representation and processing of chemosensory information in Drosophila
Ware Carl Ware MB Head and Member of Center for Infectious Diseases Adjunct Professor Sanford-Burnham
Wasserman Steven Wasserman CDB Professor Emeritus Molecular genetic analysis of signal transduction in Drosophila development and immunity.
Wienhausen Gabriele Wienhausen CDB Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
Wilhelm Jim Wilhelm CDB Director of Undergraduate Education Associate Professor mRNA localization, translational control, and membrane trafficking in\n Drosophila melanogaster.
Wills Christopher Wills EBE Professor Emeritus Molecular evolution; genetic variation at DNA level
Xu Yang Xu MB Professor Emeritus Lymphocyte development and signaling pathways in response to DNA damage.
Yanofsky Martin Yanofsky CDB Paul D. Saltman Chair in Science Education Distinguished Professor Molecular and genetic analyses of fruit development
Yelon Deborah Yelon CDB Herbert Stern Chair in Biology Professor CDB Vice Chair Organogenesis: genetic regulation of heart development in zebrafish.
Yguerabide Juan Yguerabide Professor Emeritus
Zhang Dong-Er Zhang MB Professor MB Vice Chair Molecular basis of blood cell differentiation and cancer development.
Zhao Yunde Zhao CDB Professor Plant Biology, Molecular mechanisms of auxin homeostasis and signal transduction
Zheng Ye Zheng MB Associate Adjunct Professor Salk
Zou Yimin Zou Neuro Professor We study the basic principles of how axons and synapses develop during neural circuit assembly and how disruption of brain wiring leads to neurological and psychiatric disorders and how to repair the central nervous system.
Zuniga Elina Zuniga MB Professor Regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses during acute and chronic viral infections.