Principal Investigators
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine-Cardiology at UCLA. I did my undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Nottingham, in the UK. In 2008 I moved to UCLA, and joined the laboratory of Dr. Peter Edwards, where my research was focused on investigating the role of the ATP Binding Cassette Transporter ABCG1 in lipid metabolism, inflammation, atherosclerosis and innate immunity. In 2013, I was promoted to Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiology at UCLA. My research interests are understanding and identifying mechanisms that control cellular and whole body cholesterol homeostasis, with a focus on pulmonary lipid homeostasis, immunity and disease. I love running (road and trail), reading and spending time with my family.
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry and in the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology at UCLA. I was born in Brazil and emigrated to England as a teenager, where I received both my M.Sci and Ph.D from the University of Nottingham. In 2008, I came to UCLA for my post-doctoral studies in Peter Edwards' lab. I was promoted to Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiology at UCLA in 2013, and in 2016, I joined the Department of Biological Chemistry. My research interests are in identifying novel molecular regulators of pathways that control lipid metabolism in health and disease. In my spare time, I love to hang out with my daughter, traveling and watching football (or soccer, as we call it here in the US!)
Postdocs
I am the small and excitable post-doc of the lab. I came to LA in July 2016 after completing my undergrad and PhD at the University of Nottingham in England. My current research focus is novel regulators of cholesterol metabolism, but I can usually be found wandering round the lab in confusion. When I’m not doing this, I’m often with a book, in hunt of something edible, or taking a nap. Sometimes all three.
I received my PhD in Molecular Biology from UCLA, in the laboratory of Dr. Karen Reue. I joined the Tarling-Vallim lab in October 2016 and began characterizing the function of novel regulatory genes in bile acid metabolism. I am currently an UPLIFT fellow and spend part of my fellowship developing skills in teaching STEM undergraduates. During my free time I enjoy playing tennis and board games.
Prior to joining the Tarling-Vallim lab, I received a BA in chemistry from Vassar College, and a PhD in Molecular Physiology from Vanderbilt University, in the laboratory of Dr. Kelsey Vickers. I joined the lab in November 2018, and have been investigating the posttranscriptional mechanisms of gene regulation in bile acid and cholesterol metabolism. Broadly, my research interests center around understanding how cells and organisms sense and respond to nutrients. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, traveling, hiking, and exploring our new home area of Southern California.
Before joining the Tarling-Vallim group in December 2018, I completed a B.S. in Microbiology and M.S. in Cellular Physiology at Southern Illinois Universtiy Carbondale, and a Ph.D. in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. My projects in the laboratory aim to broaden our understanding of genes involved in bile acid and lipid metabolism by combining techniques like genome editing with the power of different omics datasets. On the rare occasion that I cannot get enough science in the laboratory, I can be found talking about the daily like of a scientist on Twitter and Instagram or communicating with tomorrow's scientists through Skype a Scientist and other local science outreach programs. When I'm not working on something science-related, I can be found reading, baking far too many treats, or going for walks or runs to explore the city.
PhD Students
I did my undergrad (Majoring in Biology and English) at Amherst College and my MD at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. I completed my Residency in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. I am currently a third year Fellow in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and a second year PhD student in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology at UCLA (STAR program). I joined the lab in July 2016, and my research is focused on understanding the role of lipid metabolism in the rare lung disease Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis. I love hanging out with friends, trying out different restaurants, traveling and exploring new places.
Staff
I am French and did all my training back in France. After working 5 years in the wine country of France - Bordeaux - in a research lab focusing on Trypanosoma brucei metabolism, I joined UCLA in 2013. I have joined the Tarling-Vallim lab in March 2017 and have been in charge of cell culture and Adenovirus production for the most part. My research interests mainly focuses on the understanding of lipid metabolism using molecular biology and biochemistry tools. Outside of lab I am known for making pretty and tasty French desserts. I love the California outdoors and try to enjoy Nature as much as I can!
I did my undergrad at UC Berkeley, and started in this lab in the summer of 2014. My specialties in the lab include assays, extractions (of many varieties!), RNA libraries, and dry, witty put-downs. I enjoy reading books and drinking coffee, so shhhhh - you’re interrupting my reading ;)
I am a local undergrad and studied here at UCLA. I joined the Tarling-Vallim lab in August 2018, having worked in the lab for a year as an undergrad through the Bruins In Genomics program. I am interested in combining computational biology skills with changes in physiology.
Lab Alumni
