Past Lab Members
Rachel Choi
Staff Research Associate
"I received my bachelor's degree in biology and psychology at Mount Saint Mary's University in May 2017. During my undergraduate years, I worked in an environmental microbiology lab characterizing the microbial interactions within the Los Angeles River and within the aquaponics system at USC Wrigley Institute. Post-undergrad, I joined Cedar Sinai Medical Center's department of radiation oncology where we studied the changes in the gut microbiome post-breast cancer radiation therapies and understanding the role of antifungals and PD-1/PDL1 therapies in murine breast cancer models with Dr. Stephen Shiao, Dr. Jose Limon-Tello and Dr. Kathleen Kershaw. I joined the Deng lab in November 2020 and I work closely with Dr. Sheyla Gonzalez and Dr. Maxime Ruiz on the phase 1 clinical trial manufacturing the cultured limbal stem cell transplantational drug product. Outside of lab, I enjoy running, crafting miniature dioramas, and hanging out with my pet tortoise."
Alis Balayan
Research Assistant
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UCLA in June 2018. During my undergraduate education, I became interested in translational research and joined Dr. Deng’s Cornea lab. As an undergraduate researcher in the Deng lab, I worked closely with Aurélie Dos Santos, a postdoctoral scholar, on the project of generating mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for corneal repair. Upon graduating from UCLA, I joined the Deng lab as a full-time research technician. I started the Medical Scientist Training Program at UC San Diego in July, 2020.
Liangbo Chen, MD
Visiting Associate Project Scientist
"I graduated my MD in 2021 at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. After graduation, I served as an ophthalmologist at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. I have completed the residency training and now I’m in the third-year of fellowship major in cornea. My areas of interests are corneal diseases, especially the limbal stem cell deficiency. Thus, I came to the Stein Eye Institute in 2023 December as a visiting associate project scientist. I joined the Prof. Deng's team to do research on how to utilize various approaches including drugs and materials to expand the limbal stem cells and maintain their stemness. Outside the lab, I enjoy citywalk, delicious food and traveling. "
Aurelie Dos Santos, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
I received my bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Brest, France. Later on, I graduated with a PhD in Experimental Medicine at the University of Tübingen, Germany, under the mentorship of Prof. Hubert Löwenheim. My PhD work was focused on hair cell regeneration in the mammalian auditory sensory epithelium, the organ of Corti, using different sources of stem cells. My past work in Sophie Deng’s lab was focused on regenerative and translational medicine for the treatment of corneal stromal injuries using adult progenitor / stem cells and their secretome.
Sophie Gao, BS
SRA
"I received my bachelor's degree in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at UCLA in 2023. I joined the lab in May 2021, where I was first introduced to stem cell-based therapies to better treat corneal disease. Currently, I am working on a project that focuses on validating pre-clinical biomarkers and assays that can better predict the anti-scarring effects of corneal stromal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles. I am now working as a staff research associate and plan to attend medical school in the future. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traditional Chinese dance and cooking."
Rebecca Gentry
Laboratory Assistant
I received my B.S. in Microbiology in 2016. During my undergraduate studies, I worked in a cancer research lab and a microbial genomics lab studying the bacterial diversity found in permafrost samples. In Dr. Deng’s lab my primary focus was on the limbal stem cell deficiency project. Completing all the immunohistochemistry, helping with cell collection, and compiling and analyzing data.
Linying Huang, MD
International visiting scholar
I received my M.D. in ophthalmology at Peking University (China) in 2010. After finishing my residency and fellow training, I became a cornea doctor in the Eye Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University in China. My specialty is corneal diseases and I am a successful cornea transplantation surgeon. I have been interested in studying limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), and I wanted to do further research in this field. Thus, I joined Dr. Deng’s group in 2019 as an assistant scientist. My work focused on LSCs culturing and Wnt signal pathway. I also took part in the LSCD clinical project, such as doing in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and slit lamp photos for LSCD patients.
Robert Knight, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
"I received my BSc, MSc and PhD from Cardiff University, UK. My PhD thesis focused on the development of small extracellular vesicle therapeutics for use as anti-scarring agents. Under the supervision of Prof Phil Stephens in the School of Dentistry I developed a novel progenitor cell line that was used for the scale up and purification of small extracellular vesicles whose function were compared to other progenitor cell derived vesicles. In 2019 I joined the Wales Research and Diagnostic PET Imaging Center for a 1-year postdoc position developing in-vivo long-term cell and extracellular vesicle radio-tracers. In September 2020 I left the UK to join Dr. Deng's research group where I developed Corneal Stromal Cell Derived small extracellular vesicle therapeutics for the treatment of Corneal Scarring. Investigation focused on pre-clinical scalability, potency testing and translation prior to clinical trials.
Bryan Le
Visiting Medical Student Researcher
"I received my bachelor's degree in Human Biology at the University of California San Diego. After graduating, I worked as a laboratory technician at an IVF fertility center in San Diego. I then moved to Philadelphia in 2018 to attend the Drexel University College of Medicine and witnessed how ophthalmology provided a unique mix of pathologies, procedures, potential for stellar patient satisfaction, and cutting-edge research. I joined Dr. Deng's Lab in between my 3rd and 4th year of medical school, where my current work is to assist in the research of Wnt signaling in canonical and non-canonical pathways in the regulation of human limbal stem cells as well as the investigation of in vivo models of corneal wound healing. In my spare time, I enjoy woodworking, playing tennis, and baking."
Ning Lyu, MD
Graduate student
I received my M.D. in 2015 at School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. After finishing my residency, I started studying for Ph.D. My research direction is translational application of stem cells and extracellular vesicles. I joined Dr. Deng’s group in 2019. My work was focused on corneal stromal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles aiming to develop new effective therapy for corneal scar and neovascularization.
Chao Ma, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
"I received my Master's degree in the school of life science in Tsinghua university in 2015. My master's research focused on studying the function of a novel Mitochondria-localized Glutamine Acid Rich Protein (MGARP) in the development of the retina, with emphasis on photoreceptor cells, by using in utero electroporation in Mgapr-/- mice retina at embryonic 14.5 day. In the meantime, I also investigated the difference of the nuclear architecture of rod photoreceptors and light-induced behavior among C57BL/6, 129x1/svj, and ICR mice on postnatal day 14 (P14), P21, P28, and 6 weeks. In 2016, I joined the department of Physiology at the Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc) as a PhD candidate under the supervision of Professor Joost Hoenderop. Our lab focuses on studying the role of ion transporters in health and disease. My PhD research mainly focused on studying how ADP-ribosylation factor-like 15 (ARL15) regulates CNNMs (Cyclin M, a Mg2+ sensor)-dependent Mg2+ transport by modulating CNNMs' N-linked glycosylation. Our results establish ARL15 as a novel negative regulator of Mg2+ transport by promoting the complex N-glycosylation of CNNMs. My background in ophthalmology and physiology led me to join Dr. Sophie Deng's laboratory in 2020. My current work involves studying how to preserve limbal stem cells for a long period so that they can be transported for corneal epithelium transplantation in limbal stem cell deficient patients, as well as investigating how Wnt signaling regulate the growth of limbal stem cells by using naturally derived bioadhesive hydrogels. Outside of the laboratory, I enjoy playing soccer, skiing, reading history books, and travelling."
Hua Mei
Assistant Project Scientist
I worked on the in vitro expansion of limbal stem/progenitor cells in Dr. Deng’s labaoratory. On the aspect of fundamental science, we looked for potential LSC markers by preferential expression of genes at basal limbal epithelium and have discovered that Wnt signaling plays an important role in LSCs and identified Frizzled 7 as a putative LSC marker, which may serve as a potential marker in the diagnosis and the quality control of expanded LSCs. The expansion of LSCs were further optimized by adding small molecules of Wnt signaling in culture medium and by over-expressing Wnt ligands in the feeder cells. On the aspect of pre-clinical trials, the mouse-derived feeder cells, which cause the concern on potential xenobiotic contamination, were replaced with human-derived feeder cells. In addition, the process and storage of amniotic membrane, which serves as the extracellular matrix during culture and as a carrier during transplantation, has been standardized and validated by laboratory parameters and on animal models. Our work benefited the fundamental understanding of LSCs and contributed to the clinical application of LSC therapy.
JoAnn Roberts, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Born on the island of Bermuda, I was raised by Jamaican parents, with whom I immigrated to the United States at the age of 9. I earned my B.A. in Biological Chemistry from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and M.S. in Biomedical Science from Florida Atlantic University. I continued my education at the Medical University of South Carolina, where I completed my Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Research emphasis on host-pathogen interactions in the oral cavity). I have now moved slightly north of the mouth to focus on research in the eye. Specifically, my project focused on improving and enriching the ex vivo cultivation of limbal stem cells using small molecules targeting the Wnt pathway.
Sarah Robertson, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
"I received my bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology at Pomona College in 2013, where I studied mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer and identified fusion genes in choanoflagellates in the laboratory of Dr. Andre Cavalcanti. I then spent the first two years of my PhD program in Craniofacial Biology at the University of Southern California studying ion transport in tooth enamel development under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Paine. My dissertation work focused on calcium homeostasis and signaling in early stages of the developing mouse incisor. My background in signaling pathways led me to join Dr. Sophie Deng's laboratory in 2018. My current work involves studying Wnt canonical and noncanonical signaling pathways in the regulation of human corneal limbal stem cells, as well as developing an in vitro assay to evaluate potential treatments for corneal stromal wounds. Outside of the laboratory, I enjoy volleyball, swimming, and playing piano for my local church."
Jonathan Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Genetics, Cell Biology and Pathology at the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, France. During these years, I worked on cancer cells and the involvement of stress proteins in pancreatic cancer progression. I also worked on the metabolic reprogramming in Hepatitis B infected cells. My PhD, under the supervision of Prof. Ali Mojallal and Dr. Odile Damour, was focused on the use of mesenchymal stem cells from fat to accelerate skin wound healing, in a translational medicine point of view. Therefore, I built up my knowledge regarding how to reach the clinics from the bench, facing the regulatory authorities and the inherent hurdles. At the Stein Eye Institute in Dr. Sophie Deng’s lab, we worked on a process of xeno-free culture of limbal stem cells from a small limbal biopsy. My postdoctoral studies were focused on the development of quality controls to qualify our cell-based therapeutic product. To do so, I gave interests in miRNA excreted by the cells during their growth, the cell phenotyping using multi-parametric flow cytometry in addition to their metabolic behavior.
Maxime Ruiz, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
"I graduated my PhD in health biology at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy of Montpellier, France in May 2018. I worked on Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the context of joint diseases within a dynamic group involved in translational research. Along with two previous laboratory experiences as an undergraduate student in the cancerology and neurobiology fields, my PhD allowed me to focus on stem cells and regenerative medicine. I joined Dr. Deng's group in November of 2018 to strengthen my scientific mindset and translate my knowledge to a different type of stem cells. My work is to provide a potency assay to assess Limbal Stem Cells in the context of corneal epithelium transplantation. These experiments include but are not limited to the analysis of components released by the cells in the culture medium such as nucleic acids, metabolites and proteins."
Pratistha Singh
Postdoctoral Researcher
“I received my Bachelor's degree in Life Science at the D.D.U Gorakhpur University, U.P, India in 2013. I graduated with my Master’s degree in Biotechnology in 2015 at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P, India. In 2016, I was accepted in the PhD program at Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P, India. I spent five years investigating the different potential molecules (phytocompounds) which help in Diabetes treatment and try to find out the mechanism on molecular level. During my Ph.D., I explored different field such as molecular, bioinformatics, and phytopharmaceuticals to find out the better drug in diabetes treatment.
Having developed a background in different field of biology, in 2022, I joined Dr. Sophie Deng's Laboratory, UCLA. As a Postdoctoral Scholar, I have been investigating the role of the small molecule in the regulation of human corneal epithelial stem cells (LSCs). Additionally, I currently work on the Phase I clinical trials cultivating limbal stem cells for patients who have limbal stem cell deficiency.”
Chao Sui
Postdoctoral Researcher
“I graduated with my Ph.D. degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 2022. My Ph.D. study included two parts: (1) Tissue engineering which included Organ-on-chip and organoid studies; (2) Cancer immunotherapy that NK/T/Macrophage cells are involved. Then I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow the same year in the Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in City of Hope to study the generation and characterization of human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-immune cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the encapsulation of oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus using CD47 enriched erythrocyte membrane conjugated with anti-PSCA antibody for augmented anti-refractory tumor effectiveness. Having trained in both tissue engineering and cancer immunotherapy, I recognize the urgent need for translational researchers to serve as important bridges between bench-to-bedside science and bedside-to-bench medicine. Therefore, I decided to join Dr. Sophie X. Deng’s lab as a Postdoctoral Scholar to work on the GDP and GMP limbal stem cells clinical trials in 2023.”
Jennifer Sunga
Staff Research Associate
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biology from VCU in December 2019. During my undergraduate education, my interest in translational research began at the VCU Pathology department. As an undergraduate in the Radhakrishnan lab, I worked closely with Amy Northrup, a PhD candidate at the time, to develop my laboratory skills. In March 2020, I joined the Deng lab to assist with all ongoing projects.
Kaushali Thakore-Shah, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The tremendous potential of stem cells to treat human disease enticed me to pursue a Ph.D. with Dr. April Pyle at UCLA, where I investigated pluripotency signaling networks in human embryonic stem cells. When a young nephew was diagnosed with a degenerative ocular disease, I was compelled to contemplate the daily challenges faced by the visually impaired. That insight led me to seek a postdoctoral position in a vision science laboratory. My research in the Deng lab involved developing a protocol for generating corneal endothelial cells from pluripotent stem cells, so as to help restore vision to individuals with corneal endothelial dysfunction.
Elfren Baclagon
Contract and Grants analyst, JSEI.
Stephanie Pham
Keck School of Medicine of USC, Class of 2023.
Rutuja R. Unhale, MD, FICO
Visiting Assistant Project Scientist
"I graduated medical school in 2013 from G.S. Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, India. After finishing residency in Ophthalmology in 2017, I joined as a consultant eye surgeon at Netradham Eye Hospital, Maharashtra, India. At Netradham, I gained experience in cornea, comprehensive and community ophthalmology through cataract surgery camps, eye banking and mobile eye clinics. In 2019, I received the Fellow of International Council of Ophthalmology degree from ICO, London, U.K. I joined UCLA Stein Eye Institute in 2019 as an international fellow in Cornea and Refractive Surgery. As my interest in translational research grew, I joined Dr. Deng's team in January 2021. My main project is mesenchymal stem cell therapy for corneal stromal scar repair. I assist in the clinical part of the phase-1 clinical trial for the safety and feasibility of cultivated autologous limbal stem cells as a treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency."
Former Undergraduate students:
Amanda Andreas - Molecular and Cellular Developmental Biology, UCLA, Class of 2021
Derek Chang
Demi Chen -UC Berkeley School of Optometry, Class of 2022
Maximilian Halabi - UC Irvine School of Medicine, Class of 2024
David Ho - David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Class of 2023
Jakia Islam - Molecular and Cellular Developmental Biology, UCLA, Class of 2020
David Ju - UC Irvine School of Medicine, Class of 2020
Grace Lee - Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Johnson Thai - Molecular and Cellular Developmental Biology, UCLA, Class of 2020
Lauren Ton - UCSF School of Medicine, Class of 2023
Matthew Tsai - Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2020
Lily Vartanyan - Emergency Medicine at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Class of 2022
Katherine Zhuo - Human Biology and Society, UCLA, Class of 2020
Former Visiting Medical students:
Serena Gee - David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Class of 2022
John Ngo - Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2020
Nick Uhm - Pediatric Residency at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Class of 2021