Team — WILKE+DENARDO LABS

LAB HEADS

LAURA DENARDO, PHD

Dr. DeNardo received a dual BA in Molecular and Cell Biology and Art Practice from UC Berkeley. She went on to complete a PhD in Neurosciences at UCSD. She carried out her thesis work with Dr. Anirvan Ghosh, using a combination of slice physiology and confocal imaging to study mechanisms of hippocampal synaptogenesis. As a postdoc, Laura worked with Dr. Liqun Luo at Stanford University. Using new genetic tools for viral tracing and activity-dependent labeling, she mapped the organization and function of mPFC circuits underlying fearful memories. She joined the Physiology department as an Assistant Professor in January, 2019.

Department of Physiology

Publications

Scott 2017-4.jpg — Scott wilke, mD, PHD

Dr. Wilke received his BS in Neurobiology from the University of Washington. He went on to earn his MD and PhD in neuroscience in the MSTP at UCSD. He completed his thesis work with Dr. Anirvan Ghosh studying activity-dependent mechanisms that regulate hippocampal connectivity. Scott completed a residency in Adult Psychiatry and did his postdoctoral research at UCSF. He worked with Dr. Vikaas Sohal, studying how neural activity in mPFC microcircuits underlies behavior relevant to depression. His clinical expertise are in interventional approaches for treatment resistant depression. He joined the Psychiatry department as an Assistant Clinical Professor in March, 2019.
**Department of Psychiatry**
CV
**Publications**

POSTDOCS and staff

ZACHARY ZEIDLER, PHD

Postdoctoral fellow

Dr. Zeidler received a BA in Neuroscience from The Colorado College. He went on to complete a PhD in Neuroscience with a minor in Neuroengineering at the University of Minnesota. He carried out his thesis work with Dr. Esther Krook-Magnuson, using a combination of behavior, optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and calcium imaging to study the cerebellum's ability to modulate the hippocampus. As a postdoc, Zach is investigating the evolution of fear memory ensembles in the mPFC and across the cortex. He joined the DeNardo lab in September 2020.

zzeidler[at]ucla.edu

Marta Fernandez Gomez, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow

Marta is a Spanish postdoc who moved to UCLA to join Wilke Lab in June 2022. She received her BA in Biology from Universidad de Extremadura and MS in Neuroscience from Universidad Pablo de Olavide. She carried out her thesis under the supervision of Dr. Olga Peñagarikano at Universidad del País Vasco, working on cerebellar abnormalities linked to autism. She used a combination of behavioral approaches together with electrophysiology in vivo, and chemogenetic techniques. She joined Wilke’s lab to continue her formation as a scientist to become a future PI. As a postdoc, she studies the role of prefrontal Dopamine in effort decision-making tasks and aversive learning. Marta loves to teach odd Spanish words, coffee, and advocates for social rights.

Adrienne Kashay, BA
Research Technician

Adrienne Kashay is a recent graduate from UCLA, where she majored in Neuroscience and Psychobiology. Her interests are centered around understanding and modulating neural processes relevant to psychiatric conditions. She is interested in leveraging this understanding to optimize clinical interventions for patients with these disorders. During her free time, Adrienne enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and exploring, trying to learn new instruments, doing taekwondo, and playing with her dog.

TANYA GUPTA, PHD POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Dr. Gupta received a BA in Psychology and Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2017. She subsequently completed a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience at Arizona State University in the lab of Dr. Federico Sanabria, where she used computational modeling to understanding generative neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying a wide range of motivated behaviors, including interval timing, response-inhibition, and stimulus-response learning. Her dissertation investigated contributions of hippocampal function to the temporal organization of behavior. Tanya joined the Wilke lab in June 2022, where she is studying mechanisms of anterior cingulate cortex control over effort- and cost-based decision-making. She also enjoys getting involved in her community, and is an Executive Board member of the UCLA Postdoctoral Association.

Tanyagupta [at] ucla [dot] edu

GRADUATE STUDENTS

chris gabriel
PhD Candidate
ARCS Predoctoral fellow

Chris is a a graduate student in the NSIDP. He received a BS in Human Biology and a BA in Psychology from North Carolina State University. He is interested in studying circuit mechanisms relevant to fear and anxiety behaviors in mPFC and is combining UCLA Miniscopes and advanced computational techniques to link neural activity directly to behavior. Outside the lab, Chris enjoys camping, rock climbing, playing music, and traveling as often as possible.

lab+picture.jpg — benita jin
phd candidate, NIH Predoctoral fellow

Benita is an MCIP graduate student. She graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in neuroscience and a M.S. in physiological science. In the lab of Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton, she studied the use of epidural stimulation, serotonergic drugs, and physical rehabilitation for forelimb recovery after spinal cord injury. Benita joined the DeNardo lab to study the neural circuits and mechanisms mediating mPFC development. Outside of lab, she enjoys traveling, musicals, and coffee.

cassandra klune

PhD Candidate,
NSERC Postgraduate fellow

Cassandra is a PhD student in the NSIDP. She obtained her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Neuroscience from the University of Calgary in 2018. At the University of Calgary, she conducted research in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Pang on methods of rodent pain assessment before transitioning into addiction research and completing her Honours Thesis on the role of dopamine neurotransmission in cue- and drug-seeking behaviors. Outside the lab, Cassandra enjoys painting, hiking, and trying new foods.

MICHAEL GONGWER
UCLA MSTP STUDENT

Michael is a student in the UCLA MSTP. He received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019. In the lab of Dr. Matthew Kreitzer, he studied the role of retinal glial cells in modulation of extracellular pH. Michael is interested in using electrophysiology and circuit-tracing techniques to uncover the role of microglia in circuit development. Outside the lab, he plays the marimba and enjoys volleyball, spikeball, tennis, and other recreational sports.

Caitlin Goodpaster,
NSF Graduate Fellow

Caitlin is a NSIDP graduate student. She received her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from The Ohio State University in 2017, where she conducted research in the lab of Dr. Benedetta Leuner investigating the role of mPFC GABAergic signaling in postpartum anxiety. She joined the DeNardo lab to study how early life stress impacts mPFC circuitry in avoidance behavior throughout development. Outside the lab she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

Sara blagburn blanco

Sara is an MSTP student completing her PhD in the DeNardo lab. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Brown University, where she conducted research in Dr. Alexander Jaworski's laboratory. During her time there, Sara studied embryonic motor neuron development and axon guidance in the mouse spinal cord. She joined the DeNardo lab to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing mPFC circuit formation, and how those developmental programs are affected by adverse early life experiences. When she’s not in lab, you’ll most likely find her climbing, trail running, or salsa dancing.

undergraduate students

ALEX QI

Alex is a Neuroscience Major at UCLA. He is interested in exploring the different connections between brain regions, and the neurological effects of different psychiatric disorders. In his free time he likes to play volleyball, watch TV shows, read detective books, and hike.

Image from iOS (1).png — Christabelle Junaidi

Christabelle Junaidi is an undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Psychobiology. She is interested in learning about psychiatric disorders through behavioral neuroscience. Additionally, she is interested in immunology and stem cell therapy. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods and music, watching classic films, and exploring the city.

rita chen.jpeg — Rita Chen

Rita Chen is an undergraduate student majoring in computer science and minoring in neuroscience at UCLA. She is interested in creating different ways to discover how different mPFC neurons contribute to different behaviors and technologies to help in the future. In her free time, Rita loves to foster animals, cook, hike and play games.

JACK RILEY

Jack Riley is an undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in psychobiology and minoring in Spanish. He is interested in the mechanisms underlying adaptive threat responses and their application toward psychiatric disorder treatment. Outside of the lab, Jack enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and cooking.

ALEX ENOS

Alex is an undergraduate in the DeNardo lab.

MATEO UMAGUING

Mateo Umaguing is an undergraduate majoring in Statistics and intending to minor in Cognitive Science. He is interested in neural computation and its involvement with higher order functions of the brain. Additionally, he hopes to work with and develop mathematical and statistical methods in order to study the brain. In his spare time, Mateo enjoys playing classical and jazz piano, road trips, and exploring the work of film auteurs.

FAITH VEENKER

Faith Veenker is an undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Psychobiology. She is interested in using optogenetics, fiber photometry, and other technologies to further our understanding of neural circuits underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. In her free time, Faith enjoys traveling, hiking, concerts, and participating in politics.

Angela Yang

Angela is an undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in neuroscience with an intended minor in gerontology. She is interested in learning about the neural circuitry that underlies decision-making and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating, snowboarding, and experimenting with new coffee recipes.

NICO JONES

Nico is an undergraduate in the DeNardo lab.

Acharya Ranawat

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Russell Ahmed

Russell is an undergraduate Neuroscience Major at UCLA. He is interested in understanding the connection between brain activity and different behaviors. Also, he is interested in the various brain surgeries that allow us to conduct the lab’s core experiments. In his free time, Russell loves to play competitive golf, lift weights, and write.

Katherine Li

Katherine is an undergraduate at UCLA majoring in Computational and Systems Biology. She is interested in learning more about the intersection of technology and biology, such as the applications of machine learning to neuroscience research. In her free time, she enjoys reading fantasy books, baking, and badminton.

ALUMNI

molly delaney

Molly Delaney is a Neuroscience major from Corona, CA. Her scientific interests include: mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, neurosurgery, oncology, immunology, and cardiothoracic surgery. When she is not studying, Molly enjoys reading, rewatching the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary on Hulu, scrolling through animal pages on Instagram, and listening to music, specifically George Ezra and The 1975.