Julia Ottewell, B.A.

I joined the Yung Lab as a CIRM intern and am now a research assistant. My research on the beta cell project is aimed at understanding the therapeutic potential of IPSC-derived beta cells in treating type 1 diabetes using genetic and disease-induced mouse models.

Jonathan W. Lockner, Ph.D.

I am an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Scintillon, with deep expertise in natural products synthesis. I am interested in identifying medicinally useful compounds that address neuroinflammation and ameliorate cancer growth. Previously, I received my PhD and trained as a postdoc with Profs Phil Baran and Kim Janda at Scripps Research, respectively. More recently, I was Adjunct Faculty at University of San Diego, Miramar College, Point Loma Nazarene University, and Palomar College.

Matthew Huang

I am currently a sophomore at Palomar College majoring in Bioengineering  During my previous experience in biotech, I helped to characterize disease-based exosomes from Alzheimer’s disease at National Taiwan University.  Currently, I am excited to work with Drs. Lockner and Yung in his lab to synthesize and characterize small molecules from various fungal and mushroom sources, which have tremendous therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory agents.  My near-term plan is to transfer and continue my college and advanced studies at UC San Diego for bioengineering.  My dream is to attend medical school in the future and study emergency medicine. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, videography, and cooking.

Maya Krishnan

My scientific and academic interests stem from my personal desire to uncover the deepest mysteries of existence, by striving to develop thorough intellectual independence and recognition of the finest details. The primary focus of my academic pursuits remains to enhance my knowledge and research aptitude in the area of molecular biology, the foundation of biomedical research aspiring to improve treatments and quality of life. Thus, STEM subjects form the core of my course selection and extracurricular activities, ranging from classroom participation to biomedical research and interpersonal interactions as a volunteer. The past few years in the COVID-19 pandemic further strengthened my resolve to understand the molecular basis for disease, facilitated by internship opportunities and in-school awareness. I lead several clubs geared towards exposing my peers and myself to branches of Science and future STEM career paths, fostering a collaborative environment aimed towards fresh scientific discourse and curiosities.

For the past 2 years, I have been working on an exciting project in the Yung Lab using skin-derived fibroblasts aimed at decreasing neuroinflammation and related altered behavior in an LPS-induced mouse model. I hope to acquire profound knowledge and technique, learning how to persist through difficulties and effectively utilize the successes of awaiting discoveries.

Sam Beltran

I joined Dr. Yung’s lab through the 2022 Scintillon SURE program, which gave me tremendous valuable lab experience and knowledge, which also helped me to improve in school.  In 2023, I took a leave of absence from the Yung lab to join the 2023 CIRM SPARK summer program at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, which further allowed me to refine my skills in biotech and be able to present my own science poster with my own findings. During the school year, I joined the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which was both fun but challenging, as well as additional extracurricular clubs such as the Biodiesel and Algal Studies group(BASG), Academic Decathlon, Academic League, Leadership program, studying languages such as Latin and Anglo Saxon, and improving my fitness through Tang Soo Do.  Currently in the Yung lab, I am examining the role of fibroblasts in increasing healthspan and decreasing frailty in aged mice.