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SHAHEEN SIKANDAR
Principal Investigator
Shaheen got her PhD at the University of California - Irvine followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University. When not doing/thinking about science, Shaheen spends her time with her two energetic boys hiking, kayaking and exploring new places to eat in the bay area.
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VERONICA HARO ACOSTA
Research Specialist
Veronica got her Masters from the University of Southern California. An UCSC alum she is the go-to person in the lab from science to things to do in Santa Cruz. Veronica is a native of Mexico and loves to explore and enjoy different cultures through music and food. A novice half-marathon runner and sports fanatic.
ISOBEL FETTER
Graduate Student
Isobel is a PhD student in the Sikandar Lab and joined Spring 2021. She grew up in the Bay Area and graduated with her BS in Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH in May 2016. After graduation, Isobel worked as a research technician at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard studying HIV, then in the Corcoran Lab at the MGH Cancer Center studying liquid biopsies in colorectal cancer. In the Sikandar Lab Isobel is working with the proteins GULP1 and LMO2 and how they play a role in tumor heterogeneity. Outside of the lab, Isobel enjoys cooking and baking, walking around tide pools, and watching something new on Netflix.
ANDREW OLANDER
Graduate Student
Andrew is a PhD student and has been a member of the Sikandar Lab since Spring of 2022. In 2021, he received his BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from University of Washington (Seattle) with minors in Chemistry and Informatics. In lab, Andrew is investigating long term molecular changes in the mammary gland due to aging and pregnancy, and how these molecular alterations affect risk of breast cancer. When he’s not in lab, Andrew enjoys reading, going for a swim at the beach, concerts, and spending time with friends & family.
MARIA JUAREZ
PREP Scholar
Maria Juarez is currently a PREP scholar in the lab and previously a MARC Scholar. They hope to use their research experience to become a professor and mentor to other Latine scientists. In their free time they enjoy reading, sewing, and hiking to waterfalls.
BISWAJIT DAS
Post-doctoral Scholar
Biswajit is a Postdoctoral Scholar and has been part of the Sikandar Lab since the summer of 2024. In 2023, he earned his PhD in Biotechnology from KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. During his doctoral studies, he explored the molecular mechanisms of cMET-mediated metastasis and angiogenesis in breast cancer, alongside the inhibitory effects of Quinacrine on these processes. In
his current role, Biswajit investigates the intricate molecular mechanisms behind metastasis and cancer immune evasion in breast cancer. Beyond his research, he enjoys spending time outdoors, mainly engaging in long-distance hiking to appreciate the beauty of nature. His background in zoology fuels his passion for observing and studying wild animals. Additionally, he is a dedicated runner and incorporates regular yoga and meditation into
his routine.
ALUMNI
Talieh Zomorrodinia
Prev: Master's student, Current: Lab assistant at Community College
Rachel Kerslake
Prev: Post-doctoral Fellow, Current: Senior Editor at EBioMedicine, Lancet Group
Sachin Parecadan
Prev: Junior Specialist, Current: Scriber and Applying to Medical School
Daniel Lozano
Prev: Undergraduate Researcher, Current: Research Associate at Sanford Burnham Prebys Institute
Jennifer Rodas Barios
Prev: Undergraduate Reseracher, Current: Medical Assistant
Gemma Shastri
Prev: Undergraduate Researcher, Current: Medical School
Sara Kaushik
Prev: Undergraduate Researcher, Current: Applying to Medical School