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Dr. Soncin studied Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies at the Universita' di Torino, Italy. She received an MRes in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Stem Cell Biology from the University of Manchester, UK. She then moved to California to train in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for disease modeling at the Sanford Burnham Institute, and finally joined Dr. Parast at UC San Diego to investigate trophoblast differences in early placenta development between mouse and human. She established her independent research lab in November 2020 where she is studying the transcriptional and epigenomics signature of trophoblast stem cells in the developing placenta. She is also highly interested in comparative placentation and has started various collaborations with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to continue the legacy established by Dr. Bernischke at UC San Diego.
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Nirvay Sah, DVM, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Nirvay Sah is a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of early placental development in humans and livestock. Originally from Nepal, Dr. Sah holds a DVM from Tribhuwan University, Nepal. He earned his PhD in Physiology of Reproduction from Texas A&M University, where his research focused on the metabolism of one-carbon units and creatine in uterine-placental tissues during pregnancy in sheep. Dr. Sah's extensive research experience includes epigenetic regulation of trophoblast development, trophoblast stem cell biology, and nutrient metabolism at the uterine-conceptus interface. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and has been recognized with several awards and fellowships for his contributions to reproductive biology. In his free time, Dr. Sah enjoys hiking and traveling with his family, combining his love for nature with quality family time. He is passionate about improving pregnancy outcomes through innovative nutritional strategies and advancing our understanding of placental development.
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Seung-Woo (Michael) Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
Visiting Scholar
Seung-Woo Yang is an international visiting scholar and OBGYN physician-scientist from Korea. He is an obstetric specialist doctor and is interested in placenta macrophage regulation between the maternal-fetal interface. In the Soncin lab, he is focusing on the role of VGLL-1 in iPSC derived TSC and finding co-factors which regulate VGLL-1 function
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Ruben Calderon
Ph.D. Student in Biological Sciences
Ruben is a PhD Candidate in the School of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology from Brown University and his Master's of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Texas at El Paso. Ruben's research interests include stem cell, developmental, and evolutionary biology. He is active on campus and serves as a mentor through BUMMP and as the Graduate Student President for the SACNAS Chapter at UC San Diego. In his free time, he enjoys bouldering, playing soccer, and reading fiction. -
Franny Stein (she/her/hers)
Staff Research Associate/Lab Manager
Franny received her M.S. in toxicology from SDSU, where she studied changes in gene expression and functional endpoints in extravillous trophoblasts in response to trichloroethylene, a known human carcinogen. She is interested in pharmacokinetics and how maternal exposures to environmental toxicants can affect the developing fetus. In her free time, she enjoys reading, powerlifting, and cooking.
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Walee Shaik
Laboratory Technician
Walee received a bachelor’s degree in human biology from UCSD and is particularly interested in translational medicine. In the Soncin Lab, he works on trophoblast organoids and iPSC differentiation. He plans to pursue a master's degree in stem cell biology. -
Kelly Yoon (she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Researcher
Kelly is an undergraduate student at UCSD, working towards getting her Human Biology major in the School of Biological Sciences. After her undergraduate studies, she plans to go to dental school to earn her DDS/DMD degree. In her free time, she likes to golf, play table tennis, and explore cafes.
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Claire Zheng
Undergraduate Researcher
Claire is an undergraduate student at UCSD and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in general biology. In her free time, she likes to draw, play a bunch of instruments (clarinet, piano, ukelele), and read about interesting animals in the world.