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.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Sandhya Yadav, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
I completed my PhD thesis under the kind guidance of Prof. Sanjeev Shukla at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISERB), India. I then began my first post-doctoral studies (3 years) at UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, with Prof. Anthony Imbalzano. Outside the lab I spend my time with family and some art works.
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.
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 physiological science at UCLA. She is interested in continuing research in medical school; 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
Alumni
Katherine Dang
Katherine was a lab manager and SRA1 in the TeSlaa Lab from 2023-2025. Her project studied the differences between the contributions of red and white muscle to whole-body glucose homeostasis. Under Dr. TeSlaa's mentorship, she earned an NSF GRFP Level 1 Honorable Mention in 2025. She is currently attending Princeton University's Molecular Biology PhD program.