Meet The Team
Principal Investigator
Tara TeSlaa, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. TeSlaa got her PhD in molecular biology at UCLA. She then did her postdoctoral training with Joshua Rabinowitz at Princeton University. In her free time Dr. TeSlaa likes to spend time with family, cheer for UCLA and LA sports, and play beach volleyball.
Staff
Katherine Dang
Lab Manager
Katherine received her bachelor's degree from UCLA with a major in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology (MCDB) and minors in Biomedical Research and Science Education. She conducted her undergraduate research in the Lyons Lab, where she studied TGF-beta and BMP signaling in articular cartilage. She participated in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) and volunteered with CityLab at UCLA to bring biotechnology education to underserved LAUSD high school students. Outside of the lab, Katherine can be found exploring LA’s museums, gardens, and improv comedy scene.
PhD Researchers
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Teagan Dean
Graduate Researcher
Teagan is a first year Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology graduate student. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA with a bachelor's degree majoring in biochemistry and minoring in evolutionary medicine. Her research background includes undergraduate research in ecology and evolutionary biology studying the effects of climate change in harlequin bugs. Additionally, she did a year postbac at UCLA in the Chanfreau lab studying the effects of splicing inhibition in yeast. Besides doing lab work, Teagan also enjoys baking, working out, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family.
Rashel Jacobo
Graduate Researcher
Rashel is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the UCLA GPB Molecular Pharmacology home area. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelors of science in Biochemistry. Her undergraduate research focused on synthesis of novel click-glycopolymers for anti-viral applications against HIV and Covid-19, in the lab of Dr. Katherine McReynolds. She also worked in the lab of Dr. Steve Dubinett as a visiting undergraduate researcher and rotation student, studying mechanisms and ways to overcome immunotherapy resistance in non-small cell lung cancer. Outside of the lab, Rashel enjoys spending time with her friends and family, watching movies and tv shows, and baking.
Johnny Diaz
Graduate Researcher
Johnny transferred from East Los Angeles Community College to UCLA and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor's of Science in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and a minor in Biomedical research. During undergrad, he worked in the Goldstein Lab studying distinct oncogene and oncogene combinations in primary mouse and human prostate organoid models. As a Staff Research Associate, Johnny was an author on 4 publications in the year 2023 from various collaborative projects. Johnny is an incoming PhD student in Cell and Developmental Biology and will be working on Multiplexed in vivo isotope tracing to identify metabolic drivers of cell identity during his Summer/Fall rotation. In his time time, Johnny takes his two cats to the park or hiking in their backpacks.
Masters Researchers
JKouyoumdjian@mednet.ucla.eduJenny Kouyoumdjian is a Departmental Scholar pursuing her Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and a minor in Armenian Studies. During her junior and senior years, Jenny worked in the TeSlaa lab, focusing on the relationship between one-carbon metabolism, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and fibrogenesis in human hepatic stellate and normal human fibroblast cells. Outside the lab, she enjoys attending concerts, working out, hiking, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.
Jenny Kouyoumdjian
Undergraduate Researcher
Isabelle Kouyoumdjian
Undergraduate Researcher
Isabelle is a Departmental Scholar pursuing her Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology. She recently graduated UCLA in 2024 majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Armenian Studies. Isabelle was an undergraduate researcher in the TeSlaa Lab studying 1-carbon metabolism, a crucial pathway implicated in conditions like type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Outside the lab, Isabelle can be found spending time with family, being out in nature, hiking, playing tennis or basketball.
Undergraduate Researchers
Sofia de Lourdes Mirabal
Undergraduate Researcher
Hi! My name is Sofia de Lourdes Mirabal! I am a senior undergraduate researcher supported by the NSF Louis Stokes California Alliance for Minority Participation. I am majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and minoring in Biomedical Research. For my independent project, I am analyzing the epigenome/expression of mice with NAFLD to understand the mechanism for s-adenosylmethionine levels in one-carbon metabolism.
I am on the pre-med track interested in pursuing a career in women’s health. I am passionate about women’s endocrinology and its effects on metabolism and fertility. I am a Transforming Care At Bedside volunteer with Cedar-Sinai and a resident assistant for the Office of Residential Life.
Manogna is a junior majoring in psychobiology at UCLA. She is interested in an MD-PhD; new scientific knowledge makes Manogna come alive. Manogna is also heavily involved in The Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP at UCLA), where she helps provide kidney health screenings free of cost to people in medically underserved areas of LA. Her home is in California's Central Valley, a region where medicine is not very accessible. To help solve this problem, she would love to practice medicine in her home region in the future. Outside of education, Manogna enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and listening to music!
Manogna Jha
Undergraduate Researcher
Kate Velazquez is a rising second-year at UCLA majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology studies. Kate is an active member of the UCLA Mobile Clinic Project and a recent graduate of the Biomedical and Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP). She volunteers at the Red Cross and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. In the future, she is interested in pursuing her passion for medicine as a dermatologist. When she’s not in the lab, Kate can be found reading, spending time with family and friends, or at a cafe!
Kate Velazquez
Undergraduate Researcher