The Gomez Lab
Andrea M. Gomez, PhD
Principal Investigator
Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I am both Laguna Pueblo and Chicana. I received my Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from New York University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Basel, Switzerland. I started my lab at UC Berkeley in 2020. To learn more about Andrea read here, here, or here.
Adina Lewis
Lab Manager
I am from Fresno, California and was raised in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Nu Nuumu, I am Western Mono, Indigenous to the Cold Springs Rancheria. I received my Bachelors of Science in Microbial Biology from University of California, Berkeley. I am passionate about Indigenizing science through reforming microbial bioremediation, uplifting traditional ecological stewardship practices and increasing representation of Indigenous folx in higher education! When not in the lab I can be found foraging for cool fungi, starting a garden somewhere or looking at really crazy bug photos!
Michael was born and raised in Taiwan before immigrating to the States. He completed his undergraduate studies at Brandeis University, where he majored in Biochemistry. Whilst at Brandeis, he worked in the lab of Leslie Griffith, studying sleep and operant learning in fruit flies. He is interested in the molecular and cell biology underlying neural signaling. Specifically, he will be looking at regulation of alternative splicing by chromatin structure. When not in the lab, he can be found playing baseball (more watching now), drinking boba, and watching too much K-Dramas.
Michael Hsiao, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Alina Tiemroth
PhD Candidate, Curci PhD Fellow
I am from the sunny but foggy city of Oakland, California. I completed my undergraduate studies at Tulane University, where I worked in the lab of Dr. Maria Galazo to investigate the molecular logic underlying cortical development. In the Gomez lab, I am interested in the cellular and circuit mechanisms gating neuroplasticity in the adult. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, sunset walks, and saying that I am going to start surfing.
I am a French student, originally from Brittany. I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Orléans, and I’m currently pursuing my master’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Lille. I am fascinated by the effects of psychedelics on brain functions and how they can help us understand its underlying mechanisms. As part of my degree, I joined the Gomez lab for a six-month internship, where I am investigating the impact of psychedelics on alternative splicing. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking desserts, playing different kinds of sports, and diving into art.
Ilann Rouille
Master’s student intern
I’m a first-generation college student in my senior year, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. Born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua, I moved to the United States in 2020 to chase my dream of becoming a scientist. As part of the REP Neuro Program, I have had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of neuroscience and contribute to the exciting research being conducted in this lab. My current focus is on exploring the role of psychedelics in neuroplasticity. Outside the lab and classroom, I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking through new trails or practicing archery.
Andres Carrillo Solis
Laboratory Technician
Sam Perez
Undergradute Research Assistant, Harris Fellow
I am a third-year undergraduate at Cal, studying Molecular and Cell Biology and Spanish. Originally from Burbank, California, I am a proud Salvadoreña who loves traveling back to the motherland. Academically, I am fascinated by the intricate metabolic pathways of the human body, particularly the chemistry that drives these processes. My interests also extend to the molecular mechanisms underlying neural pathways, with a focus on understanding and addressing neurodegenerative disorders. I am passionate about bridging science and medicine through collaborative, hands-on research that has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes. In my free time, I can be found frolicking in nature, exploring cute coffee shops, dancing, thrifting, and growing my matchbox collection.
I am a fourth-year undergraduate studying Neuroscience and Psychology at Cal. My parents are from the vibrant French Basque Country, which in me is heard in a distant accent and seen with a bump in my nose. French is my first language, but I grew up in Murrieta, California with my twin sister, Zoë, who does research at UCLA. My academic interests are all things neuroscience, but I'm specifically interested in learning and neuroplasticity; particularly in how psychedelics might help open the door to these mechanisms. I think it's new and exciting, and it's amazing to get the opportunity through the REP program to participate in this kind of work. I'm also a geek about soccer and photography, and my favorite thing to photograph is someone's hands.
Tommy Bordes
Undergraduate Researcher, REP Fellow
I am a fourth-year undergrad at Cal, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and Data Science. I’m from the scorching city of Riverside, California (Inland Empire loud and proud). My academic and career interests include computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, and molecular therapeutics, particularly in the neurodegenerative disease space. Outside of academics, I enjoy painting, playing waterpolo, reading, hiking, and exploring areas around Berkeley with my friends.
Griffin Hord
Undergraduate Researcher
Gomez Lab Alumni
Anjali Vadhri, Undergraduate Researcher 2020-2021 Komodo Health
Jessica Gustin-Murray, Postbacc Researcher 2022-2023, Ph.D. Student UC Berkeley
Estefany Vasquez, Undergraduate Researcher, 2022-2024 Ph.D. Student UCSF
Isabela Ichihara de Barros, Postdoc Researcher, 2022-2024, Innovative Genomics Institute
Marcos A. S. Fonseca, PhD, Bioinformatician, 2023-2025, Stanford University
Adrián Alejandro Garcia, MS, Graduate Student, 2020-2025
Jessica Minder, PhD, Postdoc Researcher, 2023—2025
Katrina White, Undergraduate Researcher + Lab technician, 2022-2025, Ph.D. Student UC Berkeley