Principal Investigator & Sandler Faculty Fellow

Nicole graduated with a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Stanford University in 2024. She worked in the labs of Dr. Polly Fordyce and Dr. Lacramioara Bintu, where she learned techniques to bridge biophysics and cell biology at a high-throughput scale. Nicole joined UCSF in January 2025 in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology. She enjoys mentoring others and is passionate about teaching and science training. Outside the lab, she enjoys learning new languages and knitting things for her family, including for her mini poodle.

Assistant Specialist

Juhyun obtained her M.S. in Molecular & Cell Biology from San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 2022 through a joint scholarship program with the SFSU-UCSF Cell Design Institute. She has worked in both academia, in Dr. Wendell Lim’s lab, and in industry, at Sonoma Biotherapeutics, a CAR-Treg company. There, she gained expertise in cellular engineering, with a focus on T cell interactions, and deepened her understanding of the mechanisms of brain pathology. Juhyun is very excited to learn both genome editing and high-throughput techniques in the DelRosso lab. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing the piano and violin, as well as running along Mission Bay!

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student

Shirley graduated with a double major in Bioengineering and Business Administration from UC Berkeley in 2023. There, she worked in the lab of Dr. David Schaffer using engineered embryonic stem cells to understand the role of Wnt signaling during development. After graduating, Shirley worked in the lab of Dr. Lars Steinmetz doing high-throughput screens of regulatory elements in the genome and functional genomics studies in CAR-T cells. Shirley is excited to pursue questions in transcription, specifically in the protein dynamics that regulate how genes are turned on and off. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going on hikes and crocheting small gifts for friends and family.

Chemistry & Chemical Biology Graduate Student

Abigail graduated from Seattle University in 2022 with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. There, she worked in Dr. Peter Alaimo’s lab, synthesizing chiral indium-based catalysts for the production of natural products and pharmaceuticals. She also worked in the lab of Dr. Christopher Whidbey, studying interactions between host and microbes in the vaginal microbiome. Post-graduation, they worked in the lab of Dr. Whitney Harrington at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, investigating the role of microchimeric cells in fetal and infant immune development and early vaccine responses. She also worked in the lab of Dr. Lucia Vojtech at the University of Washington studying immune tolerance to pregnancy and characterizing immune responses to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Abigail is excited to pursue questions about transcription regulation, specifically using bifunctional molecules that modulate the recruitment of transcription factors and cofactors. Outside of the lab, they enjoy knitting, playing video games, watching Dimension 20, and reading fantasy novels.

Summer Undergraduate Intern

Liam is a rising sophomore at UCLA majoring in Computational and Systems Biology. In the DelRosso lab, he works on automating STAMMPPING experiments and building computational tools for CRISPR guide RNA and homology arm design. Liam is drawn to questions at the intersection of genomics, anthropology, and data equity — who gets represented in biological datasets, and how that shapes what gets built on top of them. These are interests he plans on developing further in his studies at UCLA and studying abroad in Paris. Outside of the lab, he plays guitar and spends as much time backpacking as he can!

Please email Nicole if you are:

a Bay Area High School/Undergraduate Student: We are always looking for enthusiastic and curious undergrads from UC Berkeley, SFSU, USF, and other Bay Area schools.

a UCSF Graduate Student: Get in touch if you would like to learn more about the lab or to setup a rotation. We are part of the Biophysics, CCB, and DSCB graduate programs but students from all other programs are also welcome.

Interested in a Postdoc: Join us in taking our newly developed high-throughput microfluidic platform and apply it to tackle exciting, biologically significant systems.