Lab members
vccortez at ucsc.edu
Val Cortez, PhD MS
Assistant Professor MCD Biology, UC Santa Cruz
Core Faculty, Global and Community Health
Postdoctorate, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Fogarty Fellow, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-6
Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington
M.S. Epidemiology, University of Washington
B.S. Biology, Texas A&M University
jgulman at ucsc.edu
Jacob Gulman, BS
Research Specialist
Hobbies: piano, soccer, football
Music: Rap
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
B.S. MCD Biology, UC Santa Cruz
npedicin at ucsc.edu
Natalie Pedicino, MS
Graduate Student, MCD Biology
Hobbies: climbing, archery, photography, hiking, ukulele
Music: Latin, Pop, Hip hop (anything you can dance to!)
Hometown: Arcata, CA
M.S. Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt
B.A. Molecular Biology, Scripps College
ecruz26 at ucsc.edu
Danny Cruz
MARC Scholar, Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
Hobbies: going on long scenic walks, cooking for friends, painting
Music: Indie pop, Reggaeton, Hip hop
Hometown: Colusa, CA
UC Santa Cruz Class of 2024
mkirkpa1 at ucsc.edu
Melanie Kirkpatrick, BA
Graduate Student, MCD Biology
Hobbies: hiking, reading, baking, watching Formula 1
Music: Alternative/Indie, Pop
Hometown: Bel Air, MD
B.A. Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
manicett at ucsc.edu
Matteo Anicetti
MARC Scholar, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hobbies: backpacking, free diving, cooking
Music: R&B, hip hop, indie rock
Hometown: Seaside, CA
UC Santa Cruz Class of 2025
mapablo at ucsc.edu
Michelle Pablo, MS
Graduate Student, MCD Biology
Hobbies: yoga, hiking, wildflower photography, beach, singing, arts & crafts
Music: R&B, pop, musicals
Hometown: Oakland/San Leandro, CA
M.S. Biomedical Science, San Francisco State University
B.S. Biology, San Francisco State University
Former Lab Members
Samuel Hernandez, Undergraduate & Research Specialist, April 2022-Jan 2023
Skar Lopez, MARC Undergraduate Scholar, Sept 2022-Jan 2023
Angelina Fernando, ACCESS Summer Student 2023
Gabby White, ACCESS Summer Student 2022
Benjamin Rosales, Research Specialist, Fall 2022
Ayaka Lopez, Research Specialist, Feb-July 2022