Wiseman Lab Members

Education:
B.Sc. in Chemistry, University of Virginia
Ph.D., Scripps Research
Postdoc, NYU Med School

Academic Positions:
Professor, Scripps Research
Member, Skaggs Graduate School, Scripps Research

Luke Facts: (Written by our most recently published scientists)
*Favorite ‘Derry Girls’ character is Orla
*Loves Tillamook cheese and the color orange
*Danced in multiple ballets
*Has an impressive collection of polo shirts
*Strives to be a preeminent middle author structural biologist

Karen Hughes has been a Lab Admin Coordinator with Scripps Research for over eight years. Most of her responsibility is to support the lab by completing the administrative work on grant applications, order supplies and equipment when tasked and to provide any other necessary support to the lab. Her background has been working in government and commercial settings providing support in the creation of grant submissions for over thirty years. She also has a hazmat background providing support by maintaining a database used to classify hazardous products based on the specifications stated in the material safety data sheets (MSDS). Karen brings her beloved 10 year old miniature dachshund office mate, Cooper, to work with her everyday and he makes sure that no one interrupts her work flow. When Karen isn’t at work she is generally found out on a hiking trail or clogging with her fellow dance friends.

Make no mistake about it. Karen runs the show. Anything you need, she gets it done… provided you can get by Cooper.

Jie Sun is a postdoctoral associate in the Wiseman and Saez labs studying on how the pharmacological activation of IRE1/XBP1s affects the pathology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in multiple tissues. She obtained her PhD degree in Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, China. During her PhD, she studied on the physiology of smooth muscle contraction and the pathology of smooth muscle-related diseases. Using genetic modified mice, she found that a myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) inhibitory protein, CPI-17, is required for GPCR-induced calcium-sensitizied vascular smooth muscle contraction and genesis of obesity-related hypertension. Outside of lab, Jie enjoys hiking and reading.

Prerona is a postdoctoral associate in the Wiseman lab working towards elucidating the mechanism of action of IRE1/XBP1s activators. In early 2022, she graduated with a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India. During her PhD she has worked on the synthesis and evaluation of organic compounds as tools to probe the role of reactive sulphur species in conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation. She hails from the beautiful Northeastern state of Assam in India, famous for its one-horned rhinos and tea. Apart from being an avid tea drinker, she loves doing yoga, enjoys outdoor hikes and run.

Prerona is supported by Hewitt Foundation postdoctoral fellowship

Caroline is a graduate student in the Wiseman and Bollong labs working to identify novel inhibitors of the NLPR3 Inflammasome, a protein complex implicated in a number of diseases, through high-throughput screening. She is also investigating the relationship between fructolysis and the oxidative stress response with implications in treating liver disease. Caroline graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a second major Vocal Performance. During her undergraduate she worked in the lab of Leslie Hicks where she studied the TOR pathway in C. reinhardtii using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. She also participated in REUs at the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University where she worked on a therapeutic monoclonal antibody trap in the Bruening Lab, and crystallized proteins from C. difficile in the Lacy Lab, respectively. Outside of lab, Caroline enjoys singing opera, reading, and going for walks on the beach.

Nicole is a graduate student in the Wiseman lab. Using genomics, bioinformatics, and biochemistry, she is interested in finding novel targets of the ATF6 pathway, and probing the mechanism of action of IRE1 activator molecules. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 2019, she became a lab technician in Elçin Ünal’s lab. She studied how redox state affects S. cerevisiae lifespan, and assisted in the development of a cDNA screen to identify meiosis-specific genes with rejuvenative potential. During her free time, Nicole enjoys cooking, hiking, and dancing.

Sergei, a graduate student of enigmatic countenance, immerses himself in the arcane arts of molecular alchemy. His pursuit? Unraveling the clandestine mechanisms that govern the delicate dance of insulin production within beta cells. Through the veiled mists of research, he seeks to illuminate the pathways of IRE1/XBP1s signaling, weaving a tapestry of understanding from the threads of mild pharmacological activation. A scion of knowledge hailing from the distant lands of Novosibirsk State University in Russia, Sergei’s journey began amidst the ancient tomes of chemistry. With a bachelor’s degree clasped firmly in his grasp, his scholarly endeavors led him down a path adorned with the gleaming jewels of organic radical contrast agents. Through his undergraduate odyssey, he honed his craft, synthesizing elixirs that promised improved delineation of tumors upon the canvas of MRI. Yet, Sergei’s insatiable thirst for enlightenment knew no bounds. Beyond the confines of academia, he ventured, a spectral presence in the realm of cancer research. As a research assistant, he delved into the abyssal depths of immunotherapy, seeking to unveil new vistas of healing amidst the shadows of affliction. But even amidst the alchemical crucibles and labyrinthine corridors of academia, Sergei finds solace in the simpler pleasures of life. In the twilight hours, when the whispers of the night intertwine with the rustle of parchment, he finds respite in the embrace of literature. Through the culinary arts, he weaves spells of flavor and aroma, crafting potions of sustenance to nourish both body and soul. And amidst the verdant embrace of nature’s bosom, he wanders, a solitary figure amidst the towering peaks and whispering pines, seeking communion with the elemental forces that bind us all. Thus, Sergei, a phantom of the laboratory, dances upon the stage of discovery, his enigmatic presence a testament to the eternal quest for understanding in the labyrinth of existence. – bio in the style of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’.

Chavin is a graduate student in the Wiseman lab working to identify which pharmacologic activator of unfolded protein response protects against neurodegenerative diseases such as neuropathy and Alzheimer’s. Chavin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology and a master’s degree in bacteriology. His research experience at Madison involved the metabolomic and lipidomic studies of bacterial biofilm during its formation and bacteriophage infection in the lab of Daniel Amador-Noguez. Outside of the lab, Chavin enjoys a variety of activities outdoors and indoors- photography, hiking, ice skating, skiing, cooking, playing games, and playing electric guitar.

Chavin is a part of the Skaggs-Oxford program and is supported by the Royal Thai Government fellowship.

Emanuel is a graduate student in the Wiseman and Lamia labs studying how circadian rhythms affect drug efficacy, emphasizing on metabolic drugs. Emanuel graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) and Antillean University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology, respectively. During his undergrad, he conducted research in various labs at UPRM and participated in summer undergraduate research programs at Rutgers University and Scripps Research, acquiring a broad research background. His research experience ranges from characterizing explosives using novel spectroscopy approaches to quantitatively analyzing pharmaceutical drug biodegradation using quantitative electrochemical techniques and analyzing how circadian rhythm disruption links to enhanced tumorigenesis. During his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, swimming, cooking, and playing piano and flute music.

My name is Sam, so Sam I am, and I’m in the Grotjahn and Wiseman fam. I’m from the Alamo, so all you know, I came to Scripps to learn and grow. Mitochondria are key, for you and me, and I love to mess with them and see. Sometimes they’re long, sometimes they’re stout, and sometimes they’re angry and just kind of shout. It’s my hope, with my trusty ‘scope, to map these changes as mitochondria cope. The pictures are gorgeous, and sometimes glorious, and I’ll continue to take them until I’m victorious. Give me some time, and you will find, the continued development of my mind. I’m excited to be here, but I’ll never show it, but if you talk with me, you’ll most certainly know it. - bio in the style of Dr. Seuss, as per request.

Sam is supported by a predoctoral fellowship from NSF.

In the shadowy recesses of the Wiseman and Mendoza labs at Scripps, Keishla’s presence echos with an eerie resonance. In the oppressive silence of the lab, she toils tirelessly to define the pathologic and therapeutic implications of arm-selective UPR activation on T-cell differentiation and function. As Keishla wanders deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of knowledge, her footsteps reverberate like a dirge through the desolate halls. The sterile environment, once a sanctuary of science, now harbors secrets that defy the laws of nature that Keishla seeks to uncover. Keishla’s journey into the unknown began long before Scripps, for she emerged from the shadows of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, where she earned a bachelor degree in Industrial Biotechnology. The tendrils of her academic pursuit reached far and wide, weaving through the sinister tapestry of labs at the SSRL SLAC National Accelerator and Abbvie, each contributing a chapter to her quest. In the dead of night, when the laboratory lay dormant, whispers of her research ring through the empty halls, leaving behind a chilling legacy of experiments that defied the natural order, only known to her. - bio in the style of ‘horror’.

Keishla is supported by a predoctoral NIH Diversity Supplement

I tell ya, folks, I’m in the academic rat race, but I get no respect! I’m over here, trying to unravel the mysteries of proteins like they’re some kind of cosmic puzzle, and all I get is blank stares and mutterings of ‘good luck with that’ from my peers. Growing up, I was all about the X-Men, you know? Mutations, superpowers, the whole shebang! So, naturally, I figured genetics and biotech were my bag. Went through high school and undergrad in India, soaking up everything I could about DNA and biotechnology like a sponge in a lab coat. Then, I land myself in Pennsylvania State University, diving headfirst into a Professional Masters program in Biotechnology. And let me tell ya, that was my first real taste of the big leagues. Drug discovery, biotech industry… it was like swimming with sharks in a sea of pipettes. After I graduated, I hightailed it to San Francisco faster than you can say ‘PCR’. Worked at this startup, tinkering away with proteins like SARM1, trying to figure out how they’re making axons go haywire in neurological disorders. Hit-to-lead campaigns, driving drugs to the clinic… it was like playing biochemistry chess with a side of lab-coated swagger! But hey, I ain’t done yet! Now, I’m back in the academic trenches at Scripps Research, ready to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Structural biology, biochemistry, you name it – I’m on a mission to answer the big questions, the ones that could maybe, just maybe, change lives down the road. When I’m not sciencing it up in the lab, you’ll find me kickin’ back at the movies, catching waves by the beach, or chowing down on some of the meanest baja fish tacos this side of the border. Hey, even a protein sleuth needs to refuel, am I right? - bio in the style of ‘Rodney Dangerfield’.

Once upon a time, amidst the bustling streets of Jasmine City, Damascus, life unfurled like a tragic melody, particularly for a young lass such as myself. Yet, amidst the tumult, I unearthed my true vocation in foreign soil. Within the corridors of secondary education, a passion for the sciences took root, intertwining with my very essence. And when the arcane mysteries of biochemistry beckoned at Stonehill College, it felt as though fate itself conspired in my favor. Henceforth, I embarked upon a quest, toiling ceaselessly, weaving through a labyrinth of menial occupations, steadfast in my pursuit of knowledge. The coveted Ph.D. in biochemistry became my Holy Grail, an emblem of my indomitable will to carve a niche within the realm of science. Nothing could thwart this maiden’s ascent. Now, I find myself ensconced within the hallowed halls of the Wiseman and Droujinine labs, unraveling the enigma of how stress orchestrates metabolic symphonies within the gut that propagate to define biochemical intricacies across diverse tissues. Yet, amidst the rigors of academia, I steal moments of respite, wandering the verdant trails or concocting culinary delights, briefly casting off the mantle of scholarly pursuit before plunging once more into the fray. - bio in the style of ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’.

Rama is supported by a predoctoral fellowship from NSF

As a student in the Wiseman and Law labs, Priyadarshini is a figure of quiet diligence, her mind ever grappling with the mysteries of the cellular world. In the throes of scientific pursuit, she seeks not mere knowledge but mastery over the intricate dance of biological mechanisms. Hailing from the vibrant tapestry of Kolkata, Priyadarshini’s journey was one of scholarly conquest. Armed with a master’s degree in Biochemistry from the esteemed University of Oxford, her prowess extended beyond the confines of textbooks and laboratories. It was there, amidst the ancient spires and scholarly debates, that she honed her craft, delving deep into the realms of iPSC-derived models and the relentless pursuit of truth. Her current odyssey focuses with laser-like precision on unraveling the enigma of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in the context of hepatitis B vaccines. A task not for the faint-hearted, but for one who had trodden the path of viral intrigue during her tenure at Oxford investigating the dengue virus’s dance with the UPR in iPSC-derived macrophages. Beyond the microscope and pipette, Priyadarshini is a connoisseur of life’s quieter pleasures. Whether nestled in a corner with a tome of mystery, or adorning canvases with strokes of color, her spirit found solace in the arts. The keys of the piano, too, yielded to her touch in moments of respite from the rigors of academia. And when wanderlust beckoned, she ventured forth in pursuit of gastronomic delights and temperate climes, a seeker of the perfect weather as much as the perfect experiment. In Priyadarshini’s world, where the microcosm mirrored the macrocosm in its complexity and intrigue, each day unfolds not just as a quest for answers, but as a testament to the relentless curiosity that defines her scientific soul - bio in the style of ‘Agatha Christie’.

Nancy is a graduate student in the Mendoza and Wiseman Laboratories, where she investigates maternal-neonatal immunity against respiratory viral infection, as well as exploring pharmacological approaches to modulate the UPR in regulating immune responses. Nancy holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Toxicology from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Scripps Research, Nancy served as a research technician in the Knox and McNamara Laboratories at the University of California, San Francisco. There, she conducted research on corneal regeneration, specifically working to restore corneal damage caused by dry eye disease through the re-establishment of sensory innervation and barrier integrity. Beyond the laboratory, Nancy enjoys exploring different cities, practicing martial arts, and unwinding with documentaries and animated sitcoms.