530-752-8882
May 2024 – Standing in front of Ben’s award winning photo in Briggs
Click here to see Lab Alumni
Principle Investigator
Celina Juliano, Ph.D.
cejuliano[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
Associate Professor
B.S. University of Miami
Ph.D. Brown University
Post Doc Yale University
Lab Manager
Malgosia Bzymek
Lab Manager
B.A. Bowdoin College
Ph.D. Brandeis University
I am a molecular biologist with a background in genetic recombination and a broad interest in everything related to Hydra. My current research in the Juliano Lab revolves around optimizing the ways we make transgenic animals and creating genetic tools in Hydra. Outside the lab I love reading, being outdoors, hiking and backpacking, yoga, art, tutoring math and spending time with family and friends.
Graduate Students
Hannah Morris Little
hmorrislittle[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
BMCDB Graduate Student
B.S. UC San Diego
I am interested in the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling cell-fate decisions during development. My research in the lab utilizes high-throughput sequencing techniques to characterize the Wnt-responsive gene regulatory networks (GRNs) at cell-type resolution in the uninjured, adult Hydra. Characterizing these GRNs in the context of normal development will ultimately allow us to investigate how these pathways are redeployed during regeneration.
Iris Yoshiko Juanico
iyjuanico[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
BMCDB Graduate Student
B.S. UC Davis
I investigate how injury drives regeneration and patterning. I leverage molecular biology techniques, high throughput sequencing, and human cell culture to uncover the gene regulatory networks triggered by injury. Outside of the lab, I love petting cats, strength training at the gym, exchanging letters with my pen pals, and drinking milk tea.
Jennifer Tsverov
BMCDB Graduate Student
B.S. UC Davis
My research interests include studying the development and maintenance of the nervous system in Hydra. Outside of lab I enjoy gardening, watercolor painting, camping, cooking and of course running into llamas!
Post-Doctoral Scholars
Ben Cox
bdcox[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
Post Doctoral Scholar
B.S. University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. Duke University
I am interested in using Hydra to study whole-organism regeneration. Through advances in imaging and anesthesia methods, we hope to capture the entire process of animal regeneration in real time. In tandem, I aim to expand the toolkit of fluorescent reporters in Hydra to more thoroughly describe cell structures. We expect that these advances will lead to unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution of regeneration and reveal individual and collective cell behaviors responsible Hydra’s remarkable plasticity.
Jasmine Mah
jmah[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
Post Doctoral Scholar
B.S. University of Alberta
M.S.C University of Alberta
Ph.D. Yale University
Pronouns: she/her/hers
I am an evolutionary biologist whose research focuses on the origin of animals. I intend to use Hydra to study the evolutionary dynamics between potency, the stem cell identity, and the emergence of multicellularity. In my free time I love dancing at concerts, appreciating a good pen, and eating Korean fried chicken without dignity.
Undergraduate Researchers
Zucy Virgen
Undergraduate Student, UC Davis
I am a Biological Sciences major at UC Davis with a strong interest in the mechanisms that aid in Metazoan development. I am especially interested in the protein cascades associated with regeneration and how these pathways lead to diverse phenotypes in Hydra. I am a part of the SURP and MARC research programs, which will prepare me to enter a PhD program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology. Outside the lab, I like to play video games, paint my nails, and play with my cat, Lola.
Angel Perez
Undergraduate Student, UC Davis
I am a Biochemistry Major and a recent recipient of the Summer Undergrad Research Program (SURP) award. I am interested in the regenerative ability of Hydra and will soon be working on a project that investigates mechanisms in how Hydra vulgaris replenishes certain cell types during regeneration for a better understanding of tissue repair in Hydra. Outside of the lab, I like to hike, explore new areas, work on cars/motorcycles, and build things with my hands.
Giuseppe Venezia
gpvenezia[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
Undergraduate Student, UC Davis
I am a Genetics and Genomic Major at UC Davis and I am interested in how research into the regenerative abilities of Hydra can be applied to treatments for genetic diseases in humans. My goal is to better understand laboratory techniques and genetic analysis to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics and medicine. Outside of the lab, I love watching horror films, swimming, and spending time with my family, friends, and my 2 dogs.
Stephanie Le
seale[at]ucdavis[dot]edu
Undergraduate Student, UC Davis
I am a Biochemistry major at UC Davis with an interest in the Hydra’s regenerative abilities and curious to understanding more on tissue repair in Hydra. I hope to hone my laboratory skills and techniques in pursuing a career in clinical laboratory science. Outside of the lab, I like to crochet, dance, and play with my dog, Lucky.