Get to know the biomedical researchers of the future

Although Sanford Burnham Prebys has spent more than four decades fostering a reputation for excellence in basic biomedical research, our Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is relatively young. Founded in 2005, the program’s mission is to educate and train students to become the innovative biomedical scientists of the future.

“This year’s group of graduate students will work on ambitious projects that will help us learn about the biology of aging, the origins of cancer and more,” says Guy Salvesen, PhD, dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “I look forward to seeing what these talented individuals will accomplish in the coming years under the guidance of our dedicated faculty.”

Meet this year’s incoming class of graduate students and learn about the bold projects they will undertake while at the Institute—and what drives them personally.

Sviatlana Zaretski (Hansen lab)

Sviatlana Zaretski began interning in the lab of Malene Hansen, PhD, as an undergraduate at University of California, San Diego. This led to a lifelong fascination with autophagy, a cellular recycling process that plays an important role in aging—the single greatest risk factor for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes.

After graduation, Zaretski continued this work as a research assistant in the lab. Now, as a graduate student, she will build upon the knowledge she has gained to date to decipher the molecular changes that occur during aging and how they alter autophagy. This work could unlock new ways to slow the aging process and promote healthy aging.

 

 

Rema Iyer (Deshpande lab)

Rema Iyer joins the graduate program with more than a decade of experience working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries—including roles at Eli Lilly, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, GNF and AnaptysBio. Across these positions, her focus remained on preclinical drug discovery and drug engineering—with the goal of ensuring medicines are safe and effective in the human body.

As a graduate student in Ani Deshpande’s lab, Iyer will work to understand the role of epigenetics—chemical tags placed on DNA that alter gene expression—in cancers like acute myeloid leukemia. Her hope is that this work will lead to therapies that are meaningful to people with these cancers.

 

 

Utkarsha Paithane (Bagchi lab)

Utkarsha Paithane obtained an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree in biotechnology from Amity University in India. She then went on to obtain a master’s degree at Keck Graduate Institute in California, where she worked to determine how non-small-cell lung cancer develops resistance to a targeted treatment called erlotinib.

As a graduate student in the lab of Anindya Bagchi, PhD, Paithane will work to uncover genetic mutations that contribute to cancer initiation, which could lead to treatments that prevent cancers from developing.

 

 

Adarsh Rajesh (Adams lab)

Adarsh Rajesh first connected with Sanford Burnham Prebys when he worked as an assistant in the lab of Peter Adams, PhD, studying cellular senescence, a sleeplike state of aged cells. Now, as a graduate student in the Adams lab, Rajesh will investigate the impact of epigenetics—chemical tags placed on DNA that alter gene expression—on cellular senescence, aging and cancer.

Rajesh is interested in combining bioinformatics techniques and cell biology to unlock the cellular mechanisms that drive aging and age-associated diseases—which could lead to treatments that promote healthy aging or prevent age-associated diseases.

 

 

Cedomir (Ceda) Stamenkovic (Sacco lab)

Ceda Stamenkovic completed his undergraduate studies at University of California, San Diego, where he majored in neuroscience and physiology. After graduation, he worked in several neuroscience research labs studying the brain’s response to opioids and reward behavior.

As a graduate student in the lab of Alessandra Sacco, PhD, Stamenkovic shifts his focus to muscle stem cells and how they degrade due to natural aging or muscular dystrophy. This work could lead to muscle-boosting treatments that help people maintain muscle mass as they age, or help people living with muscular dystrophy.

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Paloma’s research aims to protect premature babies from brain damage

Newborns have a new scientist in their corner: Paloma Sánchez Pavón, a graduate student in the lab of Jerold Chun, MD, PhD Paloma is working to find a medicine that could protect the still-developing brains of premature babies, which are incredibly delicate and prone to swelling. Called hydrocephalus, the condition is common—affecting one in 1,000 newborns—and repeated brain surgery is the only treatment.

We caught up with Paloma to learn more about what makes her tick, including why she decided to become a scientist and what she wishes people knew about research.

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a scientist? When you were a child, did you ever imagine you would be in the role you are today?
   I always knew I wanted to become a scientist, but I didn’t imagine I would be in the position I am today. Growing up, I was obsessed with the idea of becoming a marine biologist. I was fascinated by how much we didn’t know about the ocean. My plan was to move closer to the beach and enroll in a program that would allow me to learn more about it. Nevertheless, I soon realized that I was both mesmerized and terrified of the ocean (sharks, especially), and that I would never be able to spend enough time diving and exploring the water, which is what such a career would require. I was still passionate about biology and science in general, so I decided to study the most unknown (and equally unexplored) organ in the human body—the brain.

2. ​

   What do you study, and what is your greatest hope for your research?
   I study hydrocephalus, a condition that often affects premature infants. These newborns are extremely fragile and often accumulate fluid in their heads, which can cause brain damage or death. The only treatment is invasive brain surgery, required multiple times throughout individuals’ lives, to insert a shunt in their brains and drain the excess fluid so it is reabsorbed somewhere else in the body. This procedure is extremely uncomfortable for the patients and, like any other surgery, is associated with several risks that endanger their lives. I’m trying to understand the disease so we can find a better, less invasive treatment.

3. What is one scientific question you wish you had an absolutely true answer to?
   To answer this question, I will step away from biology and turn to the universe. What is there beyond our galaxy? Will we be able to inhabit other planets? If we have so many things to still learn about the ocean and the brain, the universe is in a completely different category, with so many possibilities ahead of us.
4. What do you wish people knew about science?
   That it is fun. Experiments are about testing limits and going beyond what is known. I think that is really exciting. Also, science advances because we’re constantly asking new questions. Curiosity is what keeps this field in continuous evolution. And never be afraid to ask questions because science can be understood by everybody—it just needs to be explained well.
5. When you aren’t working in the lab, where can you be found? Where is your happy place?
   You will find me at the beach, walking along it or watching a sunset. One of the main reasons why I decided to move to San Diego is because I fell in love with its sunsets. You will also find me having brunch (my favorite American tradition) with my friends or enjoying a beer after work with them, especially around Encinitas or downtown San Diego.
6. What is the best career advice you have ever received?
   Never stop pushing the boundaries of knowledge. A curious mind is what keeps a scientist passionate about their job. Experiments usually don’t work the first time. You have to keep asking new questions and learning from your mistakes. Finishing a project takes time, but every day is unexpected and exciting because you don’t know what you’re going to find. That is the thrilling part about being a scientist.
7. What do you wish people knew about Sanford Burnham Prebys?
   What a great community Sanford Burnham Prebys is. I’ve never been in such a collaborative environment, where you work closely not only with students and postdocs, but also with faculty members. Everyone is always willing to help, whether that is lending reagents or advising about different techniques. As a student, this is what I value the most because it helps me develop as a scientist in an extremely enriching way.

Learn more about our Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Graduate school dean Guy Salvesen describes barriers he has seen for students who are Black and how we can make science fully inclusive.

Only 5% of graduate students in science and engineering are Black despite making up more than 13% of the U.S. population—and in spite of showing similar levels of interest in science as their peers. A PhD is required for career advancement in biomedical research—so this disparity impacts the number of faculty members, CEOs and scientific leaders who are Black. It will take persistent and bold efforts on the part of individuals, groups, institutions and society at large if we are to achieve anything close to equality.

​

To learn more about this topic, we spoke with Guy Salvesen, PhD, professor and dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Sanford Burnham Prebys about barriers that discourage students who are Black from applying to PhD programs—and how they can be dismantled to address disparities.

Why are you personally passionate about achieving racial equality in the biomedical sciences?
Standing up for equality has always been a big part of my family’s values. I was born in South Africa during the era of apartheid. My mother always made it clear that she detested racism and the people who defended it. Before we moved away, she was part of a resistance organization called the Black Sash—a woman’s-only movement against apartheid. I come from a single-parent household, so my mother had an especially big influence on me.

Do you receive a lot of applications from PhD students who are Black?
We receive many applications from Latinx students, but I have to say not as many from Black students. We know this is not due to lack of interest. There are systemic barriers at play, which as a graduate school we try to address to the best of our abilities. Our founding mission was to have a student population that mirrors California’s demographics, so we are committed to doing all we can to reach that goal.

In your experience, what are the barriers that prevent students who are Black from applying to PhD programs?
First, I believe the biggest hurdle is the monetary aspect of a career in science. The field is poorly rewarded financially, especially compared to a career such as pharmacy or medicine. You must commit to almost a decade of minimum-wage pay as you complete graduate-school and then postdoctoral studies. Scientists are some of the most highly trained individuals in the world—and for many years, they are paid close to minimum wage.

Even when you complete training and find a well-paying job, many students have educational loans to pay back—and Black students are more likely to have loans because of the racial wealth gap. The students who apply but don’t attend our graduate school typically accept positions in pharmacy, where they can more rapidly start earning a high salary. To pursue biomedical research as a career, you have to be incredibly passionate about science and be able to defer economic rewards. I wish it wasn’t like that, but that’s the reality.

I believe it’s important to get students excited about science early and sustain that enthusiasm. Once a student begins a PhD program, they are hooked. We need to make sure that kids who are Black are getting early, positive experiences with science. This can be accomplished through school or after-school programs. This also helps children see themselves as scientists—and that’s an incredibly important factor as students consider their future careers.

What solutions could overcome these barriers?
Ideally, the National Institutes of Health would allocate funds to pay graduate students and postdocs better wages. This is also an area where philanthropy can play a big role. At Sanford Burnham Prebys, we are always grateful to the Fishman Fund Awards, which supplement the salaries of select postdocs. In a perfect world, we would be able to pay better wages to all graduate students and postdocs. Also, any actions that decrease student loan debt would help free students to choose science as a viable career option.

We need to ensure that we are proactively reaching out to schools that are serving students who are Black, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities which award up to 30% of Black STEM PhDs; providing a safe and welcoming environment for graduate students who are Black; educating our Institute and especially faculty mentors about how to best support students from different racial backgrounds; and hiring faculty members who are Black. We also need to continue to listen and learn about additional actions we can take to achieve racial parity in our program.

Could you share some examples of actions the graduate school took that had particular success?
A partnership we have with the Preuss School, a middle and high school for students who would become the first in their families to graduate from college, has been very successful. Preuss students spend time in our Institute’s labs during the summer and experience what it’s like to work side by side with scientists. We also try to bring parents into the mix by inviting them to our campus, because they have a tremendous influence on the careers their children pursue. Many of our Preuss students went on to select STEM majors in college. Right now, we are short on funds to continue this program. We need support to keep it going.

We also liaise with California state colleges that serve members of underrepresented groups, such as the California State University campuses in Fresno, Long Beach and nearby San Marcos. Through summer internship programs, students from these schools experience advanced laboratory research for the first time. Once these students realize how much fun it is do science in a state-of-the-art facility, they get very excited.

Where do we go from here? Are you hopeful about the future?
It gives me hope that there is movement in society to redress wrongs that have occurred for more than 400 years. I’m optimistic that societal pressures will translate to real action. These issues are not new. It’s time that we listen, learn and take action. And that’s on all of us. No one is immune from systemic racism, and each of us has a role we can play to make positive change.

If you have any questions, comments or would like to share follow-up resources, contact us at info@sbpdiscovery.org.

Dr. Salvesen’s suggested readings:

• So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
• Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow
• Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving

For nearly fifteen years, Sanford Burnham Prebys has been honored to educate the scientists of the future through our Graduate Program. Today, more than 40 alumni are advancing biomedical research at esteemed institutions around the world.

Who are the scientists who will join this illustrious group of alumni? Read on to learn about our new students and the bold projects they will undertake as part of our 2019 incoming class.
 

Linda Chang

• Hometown: Tainan City, Taiwan
• Joins us from: UC San Diego, where she studied skin innate immunity and the host defense mechanism in the Department of Dermatology.
• As a PhD student: She will study brain immune cells and molecules that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, under the guidance of Huaxi Xu, PhD

 

 

Zong Ming Chua

• Hometown: Singapore
• Joins us from: UC San Diego, where he worked on ENCODE, an ambitious project that aims to identify all functional elements in the human and mouse genomes.
• As a PhD student: He will focus on better understanding the pathogenesis of the blood cancer acute myeloid leukemia (AML), under the guidance of Peter Adams, PhD

 

Jordan Friedlein

• Hometown: Rockford, Minnesota
• Joins us from: California State University, Fresno, where he completed his master’s degree in biology. While a student, he sought to understand how certain cancers become resistant to cell death signaling.
• As a PhD student: He will search for vulnerabilities in how cancer cells proliferate and survive in order to develop new targeted therapies, under the guidance of Anindya Bagchi, Ph.D.

 

Michaela Lynott

• Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
• Joins us from: San Diego startup CB Therapeutics, where she produced plant compounds from genetically modified yeast cells.
• As a PhD student: She will work to find medicines that boost the heart muscle by mapping novel cardiac pathways and leveraging an automated screening pipeline under the guidance of Alexandre Colas, PhD

 

 

Steven Sakuma

• Hometown: Shingletown, California
• Joins us from: Sanford Burnham Prebys, where he studied the physiological importance of certain pieces of nuclear pore complexes—the gatekeepers to the cell’s nucleus, where DNA lives—in the lab of Maximiliano D’Angelo, PhD
• As a PhD student: He will continue his research into the biology of nuclear pore complexes, including their role in aging and disease, under the guidance of D’Angelo.

 

Benjamin Van Espen

• Hometown: Charleroi, Belgium
• Joins us from: UC San Diego, where he researched the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases.
• As a PhD student: He will research signaling pathways that regulate cellular stress response, under the guidance of Ze’ev Ronai, PhD

 

 

For more information about the Sanford Burnham Prebys’ Graduate Program, visit our website.

The next generation of scientific leaders gathered to attend the 17th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium—an event that highlights the talent of SBP’s young scientists. 

“Every year, the Annual Postdoctoral Symposium provides an opportunity for postdoctoral and graduate student scientists to showcase their most recent research,” says Stephen Sakuma, SBP-SN co-chair. “We are fortunate that SBP supports this event. It is great to learn more about the research conducted by my colleagues and opens up collaborative opportunities within the Institute.”

Unlike most symposiums that are specific to a field or topic of science, short talks and posters from more than 50 presenters represent the variety of science that takes place at our Institute—everything from heart disease to hair growth. 

“One of the things I love about research at SBP is the range of scientific areas we study,” says Katja Birker, a graduate student who received an honorable mention for her podium talk. “I’m inspired by the work of my colleagues, and I hope my research similarly sparks ideas for others to think about.”

Prizes for best podium talks and posters were awarded. Congratulations to Michael Stec, PhD, for best oral presentation; and Joana Borlido, PhD, for best poster presentation. Stec studies skeletal muscle regeneration in the lab of Alessandra Sacco, PhD; and Borlido studies the molecular basis of leukemia in the lab of Maximiliano D’Angelo, PhD

Keith Yamamoto, PhD, professor, vice chancellor for Science Policy & Strategy, and director of Precision Medicine at UCSF, gave a keynote presentation reflecting on the importance of having a good mentor as an early-career scientist. Yamamoto has been a longtime mentor to Malene Hansen, PhD, associate dean of Student Affairs at SBP’s graduate school, and faculty adviser of Postdoctoral Training—who herself is guiding the keen minds of our Institute’s next-generation scientists.

“Getting an invitation to speak from students is much more significant than getting an invitation from faculty,” said Yamamoto. “I’m going to try to talk about my role as a mentor. I have benefited from that—being mentored is a lifetime experience and a lifelong need.

“Part of being a mentor is providing information of what you can do with a PhD and beyond,” Yamamoto continued. “It’s a community-wide and science-wide challenge for mentors.”

Many congratulations to all who participated in the 2018 symposium!
 

Interested in keeping up with SBP’s latest discoveries, upcoming events and more? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Discoveries.

SBP’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences held its ninth annual retreat in San Marcos, Calif. on May 17-18.

This year’s theme was “Beyond the Bench: What is the future of your findings?” Students were encouraged to share their vision of where they think their research may ultimately lead. Students—25 in all—gave 20-minute presentations to explain their projects, show data and consider how their research may change the world.

“As a graduate student, sometimes we become laser focused on our individual projects, so it’s good to get that extra nudge to think beyond the experiments waiting on our lab bench, and how they may ultimately impact human health,” says Katja Birker, co-coordinator of the retreat and a second-year student in the lab of Rolf Bodmer, PhD, director of the Development, Aging and Regeneration Program.
 

​

The “Howling Coyote” award, given to the student with the best presentation, was won by Amir Razai, a third-year student in the lab of Guy Salvesen, PhD, professor in the Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Metabolism Program, and Dean of the Graduate School. Scoring is based on quality, content and clarity, and is voted on by fellow students. Razai is working on the development of an antibody against matrix metalloprotease 10 (MMP10). MMP10 is associated with cancer and may have future potential as a therapeutic target.

Keynote speaker, William Mobley, MD, PhD, distinguished professor and associate dean for Neurosciences Initiatives in the Department of Neurosciences at UC San Diego, gave an in-depth look at the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Since nearly 100 percent of people with Down syndrome have Alzheimer’s disease by age 40, many biomedical researchers apply findings from Down syndrome research to Alzheimer’s disease research initiatives.

In addition to Salvesen, the Associate Dean of Admissions, Duc Dong, PhD, and the Associate Dean of Curriculum, Alessandra Sacco, PhD, were on hand for the entire retreat.

Special recognition and thanks go to the team that planned and supported the annual retreat: co-coordinator Joe Fromm, a second-year student in the lab of Nicholas Cosford, PhD, deputy director of SBP’s NCI-designated Cancer Center; Mary Bradley, manager of graduate school administration; Diane Klotz, PhD, director of the Office of Education, Training & International Services; Olga Gubanova, graduate program coordinator, and Andrew Bankston, PhD, program manager of the graduate school.