Juan Carlos Rivera-Mulia

Assistant Professor

Email: riveramj@umn.edu 

Juan Carlos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics (BMBB) of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Juan Carlos obtained his B.S. from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico and Ph.D. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He completed his postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of David M. Gilbert at Florida State University.

Sam Kunkel

Lab manager

Email: kunke145@umn.edu 

Hello! My name is Sam, and I graduated from the University of Minnesota in Spring 2022 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. I am working towards applying to a Biochemistry or Molecular Biology PhD program in the upcoming Fall. My research interests include genome engineering and epigenetics. Ask me about my interest in Egyptology!

Claudia Trevilla-Garcia

Research Assistant

Email: claudiat@umn.edu 

I am interested in the large-scale genome organization and regulatory processes in the cell nucleus like DNA replication and gene expression. I enjoy doing experiments in the lab and keeping everything organized. In my free time, I like to go for a run, reading, listening to music, making puzzles and baking.


Silvia Meyer-Nava

Postdoctoral Associate

Email: silmeyer@umn.edu   

I am interested in epigenetics and 3D genome architecture. I  obtained my B.S. from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara. M.S. and Ph.D. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. I like to bake, run with my dogs, swimming and watching movies.

Anala Shetty

Graduate student 

Email: shett098@umn.edu  

I am interested in studying how DNA replication and transcriptome changes during development. Outside the lab, I like to practice yoga, calisthenics, and bouldering. I also like to explore different restaurants in the cities.

Quinn Dickinson

Graduate student 

Email: dicki214@umn.edu  

Quinn Dickinson is a graduate student in the BICB program at the University of Minnesota. Quinn obtained his B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and his M.S. in Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is interested in the application of data science to biological problems. In his free time, he enjoys video games, cooking, reading, and the outdoors.

Lakshana Sadu

Graduate Research Assistant 

Email: sadum001@umn.edu 

I'm a Stem Cell Biology Master's student at the Stem Cell Institute. I'm from India, where I pursued a B.Tech in Biotechnology with a specialization in Regenerative Medicine and a minor in Nanotechnology. My research interests include modeling embryonic development, liver regeneration, and zygotic genome activation. Outside the lab, I enjoy baking, reading, and exploring new cafes around the city.

Prayag Rajagopalan

Undergraduate Research Assistant 

Email: rajag068@umn.edu 

I am a rising sophomore studying Neuroscience. I enjoy learning about anything relating to physiology or biochemical pathways. I like reading, taking bike rides, playing video games, and just trying new things in my free time.

Addison Bents

Undergraduate Research Assistant 

Email: bents062@umn.edu  

I am a junior studying biology, with a plan to pursue a career in medicine! I enjoy learning about anything involving cellular processes and regenerative techniques to discover potential treatments! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, reading, and going on walks in the warmer weather!

Lynn Dinh

Undergraduate Research Assistant 

Email: dinh0106@umn.edu  

Hi! I'm Lynn, and I'm a biochemistry major and working in the lab as a research assistant. You can often catch me out and about outside, hanging out with friends, crocheting, or painting whenever I have free time, which I usually don't have much of. I also absolutely love animals, with the exception of bugs, so feel free to send me pictures of your pets and other critters anytime any day.

Anna Roovers

Undergraduate Research Assistant 

Email: roove006@umn.edu  

I am a junior studying biochemistry and minoring in health psychology, and I plan to pursue a career in medicine. I enjoy learning about genetics and biochemistry and how they relate to disease. In my free time I like to bake, play tennis, read, go on walks, and spend time with my friends!

Previous lab members