About

Scintillon Institute is a non-profit research institute located within the heart of the San Diego biotechnology community. The institute was founded in 2012 with the goal of discovering and developing new biological- and chemistry-based technologies that address the fundamental needs of our growing civilization.  

Our translational research focus includes the creation of novel chemical tools to detect and mitigate aging to promote increased healthspan; therapies to treat diseases such as HIV, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s, hydrocephalus, neuroinflammation and sepsis; and novel biological imaging using cryo electron microscopy, high content imaging, and extracellular vesicle characterization with deep machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence. Our faculty investigators continue also to push the boundaries of new science through discoveries in areas of neurological pathways of food intake and satiety, blood brain barrier and neurovascular boundaries, lipid-based G protein signaling, mRNA-directed cell differentiation, and much more.

Erica Chavin

Director of Finance and Operations

Erica Chavin, EA, joined The Scintillon Research Institute in 2015 and has played an integral role in the institute’s growth over the years. Erica has dedicated the majority of her career to the non-profit industry and has over 20 years of Sponsored Research and Finance experience. Erica was previously the Director of Finance for Catalyst Global (formerly WCG Cares), and she also spent time at La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, Scripps Research Institute and Merrill Lynch. Erica has been recognized for strong analytical and problem-­solving skills, implementing robust solution-­based strategies, improving processes and supporting business operations. She is a consensus-­driven communicator with a keen ability to rapidly adapt to new technologies, liaise across various business units, and promote organizational success.

Ms. Chavin is an Enrolled Agent (EA) and has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by passing a three-part comprehensive IRS exam covering individual and business tax returns. EA status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status have unlimited practice rights and must adhere to ethical standards, including completion of 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years.

Victoria Ploehn

Officer Manager and Accounting

Angel Perez

Pre-Award Grant Manager

Ms. Perez has over 15 years of sponsored research experience.  She received her Certified Research Administrator® (CRA) in 2016 and has maintained that certification to date.  Her primary concern is ensuring extraordinary support for SI’s diverse assemblage of outstanding laboratories, assisting faculty, postdoctoral, and pre-doctoral fellows to secure and maintain external funding from various sponsoring agencies while complying with those same agencies’ guidelines and regulations and fostering collaborations amongst colleagues.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with her four dogs, pretending to be a master mixologist, and trying new restaurants.  She is a tea and chocolate connoisseur, and dabbles in gardening, crocheting, and jam making.

Yun C. Yung, PhD

Co-Director, SI-START, Director of Philanthropy, Director of Scintillon Imaging Center

As a core faculty member of The Scintillon Research Institute and member of Scintillon’s Center for Aging Research, Dr. Yung also co-leads Scintillon’s program to incubate and grow exciting, young biotech companies. He also directs Scintillon’s Core Imaging Center, which consists of confocal, epifluorescence, and high-throughput image-based systems. Finally, he is Director of Philanthropy, aimed at increasing community interest and engagement with Scintillon’s mission and vision.

Brian Lawson, PhD

Director of SURE summer program

As a core faculty member of The Scintillon Research Institute and member of Scintillon’s Center for Aging Research, Dr. Lawson also directs and supervises the popular annual SURE program that provides lab opportunities to high school students during the summer and school year.

Ata Zarieh, MBA

Animal Facility Manager

Mr. Ata Zarieh is an accomplished scientist and team leader with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and contract research. Currently, he serves as the Animal Facility Manager at Scintillon, overseeing all aspects of animal care and facility management while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and optimizing workflows.  Mr. Zarieh’s expertise in in vivo pharmacology and study design has fostered successful collaborations with Contract Research Organizations and made significant contributions to pre-clinical development. Committed to advancing research integrity and animal welfare, he actively engages in professional development. Mr. Zarieh is fluent in multiple languages and is currently learning Spanish. Outside of work, Mr. Zarieh is an active member of the San Diego Freemasons, where he has held multiple leadership roles over the past decade.

Halleck Cui, MBA

Webmaster

Mr. Cui serves as head of design for Scintillon’s website and scientific visualisations. His web designs are focused on presenting faculty research, events, and scientific community content with clean, user-friendly experiences. Additionally, Mr. Cui provides cutting-edge 3D modelling and rapid prototyping for product development and visualisations in the biomedical space.