Meet the Ideker Lab
The Ideker Lab is a dynamic group of enthusiastic scientists with expertise across a variety of disciplines, including systems biology, cellular modeling, cancer genomics, computational biology, epigenetics, and psychiatric diseases. Current lab members and their contact information are shown below. Visit the Lab Alumni page to meet our distinguished alumni. Visit our Photo Gallery to see what fun our group has been up to!
Trey Ideker, Ph.D.
University of California San Diego
Professor, Department of Medicine
Adjunct Professor, Depts of Bioengineering & Computer Science
Co-Director, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology PhD Program
Director, NIGMS National Resource for Network Biology (NRNB)
Co-Director, NCI Cancer Cell Map Initiative (CCMI)
Co-Director, NIMH Psychiatric Cell Map Initiative (PCMI)
Office: (858) 822-4558
Email: tideker@ucsd.edu
Staff
Jason F. Kreisberg, Ph.D.
jkreisberg@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-3578
Academic Program Manager
Asst Director, Cancer Cell Map Initiative
As a Program Manager, I work closely with many members of the lab to plan projects, troubleshoot experiments, analyze results, prepare manuscripts and write grants. I also serve as the Assistant Director of the Cancer Cell Map Initiative where I help coordinate research activities across the ten labs supported by the Center.
Kate Licon
klicon@ucsd.edu
Tel (858) 822-4667
Fax (858) 246-1396
Lab Manager
I am the Lab Manager in Dr. Ideker’s experimental part of the lab. I assist postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students with their projects.
Charlotte Curtis
cacurtis@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-7726
Administrator (On Leave)
I provide Administrative support to Dr. Ideker, our lab members, and our research centers. When not in lab, I enjoy painting and baking. I am also a professionally trained Pastry Chef and received my BFA in Visual Arts from UC San Diego.
Michael Chen
mic024@ucsd.edu
Staff Research Associate
Currently assisting the graduate students in their studies in the DNA damage response mechanism. When not in lab, I enjoy playing FFXIV.
John Lee
jjl047@ucsd.edu
Staff Research Associate
Fund Managers
Julie Wilkes
jwilkes@ucsd.edu
(858) 822-2137
Assistant Director of Sponsored Projects
I am the Assistant Director of the Sponsored Projects Office for the Dept of Medicine. I handle Pre-Awards for the Ideker Lab. When not working, I enjoy listening to music and gardening.
Jeane Lee
jel079@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-1725
Fund Manager
I serve as a Fund Manager handling Post-Awards for the Ideker Lab. In my off time, I enjoy exploring San Diego with my dog!
Senior Scientists
Anton Kratz, Ph.D.
akratz@ucsd.edu
Assistant Research Scientist
My research is concerned with the creation and functionalization of a data-driven Systems Biology model of DNA damage response and repair. Prior to joining the Ideker Lab, I earned my PhD in Systems Biology at Keio University, Japan, in the lab of Dr. Masaru Tomita, and completed my postdoctoral research at RIKEN CLST, Japan.
Sara Brin Rosenthal, Ph.D.
sbrosenthal@ucsd.edu
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
Working with the Ideker lab and the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CCBB), my research focuses on understanding neuronal and developmental disorders, including autism and congenital heart disease. By integrating common and rare variation in a hierarchical framework, we seek to uncover novel biological pathways underlying these disorders. Outside of work I enjoy going on long runs around campus, and playing flute and piccolo in a local community orchestra.
Software Development Team
Dexter Pratt
depratt@ucsd.edu
Director of Software Development
I direct the Software Development Team as they work to build the Cytoscape ecosystem, including Cytoscape Desktop, NDEx, cytoscape.js, and new web services. We maintain and extend the lab’s computing resources and help researchers in the lab translate their work into useful prototypes and sometimes to new released software.
Jing Chen
jic002@ucsd.edu
(858) 246-1698
Software Architect
Chris Churas
cchuras@ucsd.edu
Software Developer
I am a Software Developer with the Ideker lab who splits time between development on NDEx and other lab projects. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, and board games.
Sophie Liu
sol015@ucsd.edu
Bioinformatics Programmer
I’m a member of the software development team working on NDEx. When not in the lab, I enjoy hiking, baking, and salsa dancing.
Rudolf T. Pillich, Ph.D.
rpillich@ucsd.edu
(858) 822-4068
NDEx Application Manager
I am a research scientist with 10+ years of hands-on experience in Cell & Molecular Biology mainly focused on pancreas biology and diabetes. I am excited to bridge the gap between biologists and software engineers, while ensuring that the NDEx Project understands and satisfies the needs of our vibrant biomedical research community.
Willy Markuske
wmarkuske@ucsd.edu
(Consultant)
Willy is a Systems Admin for the NRNB Cluster. Please post cluster related issues directly to the NRNB cluster google group.
David Otasek
Software Programmer
(Consultant)
I help build and maintain software components in the Cytoscape ecosystem. These include the Cytoscape Desktop application, and web libraries for sharing its data with NDEx and Cytoscape.js. In my spare time, I powerlift and build very noisy guitar pedals.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Maayan Baron, Ph.D.
m2baron@ucsd.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar
My research in the Ideker lab focuses on linking genomics and transcriptomics to functional properties of tumors such as early stages of tumor initiation and progression. I am interested in applying interpretable machine learning techniques such as visible neural network to understand cancer drug resistance in single cell resolution. Outside of the lab, I enjoy being in nature with my family.
Mark Kelly, Ph.D.
m3kelly@health.ucsd.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar
Brent Kuenzi, Ph.D.
bkuenzi@ucsd.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar
My research in the Ideker lab focuses on using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify new synthetic lethal interactions in cancer. I am also interested in using advanced machine learning technologies to improve cancer therapy. Outside of the lab, I enjoy taking my kids hiking/camping and am avid home cook.
Karen Mei, Ph.D.
yumei@ucsd.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar
I am a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Medicine. My interests are to use bioinformatic analysis and machine learning methods to better understand the biological mechanisms of psychiatric diseases. When not in lab, I enjoy reading history, hiking, and seeking out good food.
Devin N. Patel, MD
d4patel@ucsd.edu
Urologic Oncology Fellow
I am a current urologic oncology fellow. My research with the Ideker Lab is focused on using a network based bioinformatics approach to urothelial carcinoma. Outside lab, I enjoy running, playing basketball and all things related to the NBA.
Leah Schaffer, PhD
lvschaffer@health.ucsd.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar
I am a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Medicine. My research involves developing hierarchical models of cell structure using protein imaging and interaction data. Outside of lab, I enjoy hiking, music, and learning to surf.
Fan Zheng, Ph.D.
f6zheng@ucsd.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar
My research interest with the Ideker lab is mainly on the structures of molecular networks, including data-driven hierarchical models and ontologies, and applying those models to interpret cancer genomes. Before joining the Ideker lab, I obtained my Ph.D. at Dartmouth College, focused on computational modeling and design of protein structures.
Graduate Student Researchers
Samson Fong
shfong@ucsd.edu
Bioengineering
Rob Loughnan
rloughna@ucsd.edu
Cognitive Science,
Center for Human Development
I am interested in linking human genetic risk for psychiatric disorders to regulatory changes. My research involves applying machine learning methods to large population genetic datasets. In my free time I like sailing, surfing and playing jazz piano.
Brenton Munson
bpmunson@eng.ucsd.edu
Bioengineering
I am a PhD student in the Bioengineering Department. In the Ideker Lab my research is chiefly focused on the development of analytical and experimental frameworks for quantifying genetic interactions, which are utilize to investigate cellular reorganization in response to environmental perturbations. Outside the lab, I enjoy getting out into nature through backpacking and rock climbing.
Yue Qin
y8qin@ucsd.edu
Bioinformatics & Systems Biology
I am a Bioinformatics PhD student. My research with the Ideker Lab is primarily related to cellular hierarchy and deep learning.
Erica Silva
e5silva@ucsd.edu
Biomedical Sciences
I am a MD/PhD student in the BMS program
Akshat Singhal
a2singha@ucsd.edu
Computer Science
I’m a 2nd-year Computer Science PhD student. My research interests lie in applying computational techniques to improve drug discovery. I’m currently working on building deep learning models using data-driven hierarchies of molecular systems to predict drug response. In my free time, I like to play tennis, watch anime and cricket, and read sci-fi/fantasy novels.
Patrick Wall
pgwall@eng.ucsd.edu
Bioengineering
Sarah Wright
snwright@ucsd.edu
Bioinformatics & Systems Biology
Research Lab Assistants
Likitha Aradhyula
laradhyu@ucsd.edu
Human Biology (BS)
Undergraduate Lab Assistant
I am an Undergraduate Lab Assistant with the Ideker lab, and majoring in Human Biology. I am passionate about medical research and planning to become a medical professional in the future.
Audrey Bogosian
abogosia@ucsd.edu
Molecular and Cell Biology (BS)
Undergraduate Lab Assistant
I have been working with the Ideker Lab since summer 2020, under the supervision of Jason Kreisberg.
Ximena Gonzalez
xigonzal@ucsd.edu
General Biology (BS)
Undergraduate Lab Assistant
I’m an undergraduate lab assistant majoring in general biology and minoring is music at UCSD. My favorite things to do outside of lab are playing the piano, going on hikes, and traveling.
Delina Kambo
dkambo@ucsd.edu
Bioengineering (BS)
Undergraduate Lab Assistant
I began my work with the lab as a Genentech Scholars Summer Research Program participant. I am now an undergraduate student research working under the supervision of Samson Fong.
Isabella Panagiotou
ipanagio@ucsd.edu
General Biology (BS)
Undergraduate Lab Assistant
I am an undergraduate student pursuing a General Biology degree and a Music minor. In my free time I enjoy reading, singing and making origami.
Lily Rajaee
lirajaee@ucsd.edu
Biological Sciences (BS/MS)
Lab Assistant
I am pursuing my Masters degree in Biology under UCSD’s BS/MS program. I plan to pursue a career as a physician in the Medical Field, while continuing to explore my interest in biomedical research. When I am not in lab or classes, I enjoy art and music in my free time.