Post-doctoral Scholars and Graduate Students
Mina Mozafari
Post-Doctoral Fellow
B.S. Chemistry, Azad University, 2004
M.S. Physical Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, 2008
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 2017
mozafarm@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Mina is so passionate about safety she has built a fume hood in her own house. Chopping onions never burns her eyes!
Jessica Kelz
Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP – Chemistry) Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, Mandarin Chinese Minor, US Naval Academy, 2008
jkelz@uci.edu
Fun Fact: While abroad before graduate school, Jessica spent over a year teaching children how to yodel. “If yodeling isn’t music, then I don’t know what music is” she says.
Jose Uribe
Physical Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, Cal State San Bernardino, 2018
jluribe@uci.edu
Fun Fact: He is a light sleeper, but probably not the way you’d think. Most nights he sleeps with his eyes open so any stray light will wake him up. He says, it’s not as bad as it sounds though because at least he doesn’t have to worry about loud neighbors.
Megan Rocha
Chemical Biology Graduate Student
B.A. Chemistry, Whitman College, 2017
rochama@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Megan has a recurring dream about burrito babies, so now she insists on naming each one of the burritos she orders. Some of her favorites are Vegeta (vegetarian), Hamilton (carnitas), and Keegan (vegan).
Zane Long
Chemical Biology Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, University of California- Irvine, 2018
zglong@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Zane’s hobbies include eating high chews, baking mead, and inventing games. Some of his more popular games include: snatch the rabbit and a banana for two.
Marquise Crosby
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 2019
mcrosby@uci.edu
Fun Fact: His League of Legends screen name is Cardi B. He has an app that generates sound bites of her and uses only that to communicate with teammates during the game.
Gemma Takahashi
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Geobiology, California Institute of Technology, 2019
grtakaha@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Gemma insists that the only way to cut a grilled cheese, is along the cheese.
Amanda Abiad
Physical Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S.
aabiad@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Amanda’s favorite anime is “Cells at Work!”.
Collin Sroge
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue University, 2019
csroge@uci.edu
Fun Fact: TBD
Matthew Jimenez
Physical Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California- San Diego, 2021
mdjimen1@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Matthew does not eat breakfast or lunch but has a 3000-calorie dinner.
Jaewon Suk
Chemical Biology Graduate Student
B.S. Biochemistry, University of California- Santa Barbra, 2020
jaewos1@uci.edu
Fun Fact: TBD
Undergraduate Researchers
Andrew Durham
Post-Baccalaureate
B.S. Chemistry 2022
Fun Fact: Andrew has collected over 200 pairs of designer shoes, none of which are in his size.
Honorary Pet Members
Neptune
Rescue from Newport Beach Animal Shelter. Loves people, food, and running. Thankful neither of his parents work with lasers…he doesn’t trust them. Follows the central dogema. Ironically hates water. @pugneptune
Timothy
Is betta testing the lab to see if it will tank. So far he feels that being in school is going swimmingly, even though he sometimes flakes. Sincerely loves water, some might even say it breathes life into him.