People

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Bérénice Benayoun

Contact:

Email: bbenayou@usc.edu
Office Location: GER B14
Curriculum Vitae

Connect:

Bérénice A. Benayoun, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Gerontology, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Principal Investigator

Education

Ph.D., Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
M.Sc., Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
B.Sc., Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France

Hometown: Paris, France
Favorite non-science activities: tabletop gaming, homebrewing
Dream benchmate(s): Leopold Fitz and Jemma Simmons
Birthday: June 19th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Wood Rat

Post-doctoral fellows

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Contact:

Email: ansere@usc.edu

Victor Ansere, Ph.D.

Post-doctoral Fellow

Education

B.Pharm., Kwame Nkrumah University of Sci. and Tech., Ghana
M.Phil., wame Nkrumah University of Sci. and Tech., Ghana
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK, USA

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
Favorite non-science activities: Listening to music and curating music playlists
Dream benchmate(s): The guy who turned water into wine” – such a cool experiment.
Birthday: August 24th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: 

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Contact:

Email: minhooki@usc.edu

Min Hoo Kim, Ph.D.

Post-doctoral fellow

Education

B.Sc., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Republic of Korea
M.Sc./Ph.D., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Republic of Korea

Hometown: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Favorite non-science activities: Baking, jogging
Dream benchmate(s): John Legend
Birthday: March 27th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Metal Horse

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Contact:

Email: raphealw@usc.edu

Rapheal Williams, Ph.D.

Research Lab Specialist

Education

B.Sc., Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Hometown: Atlanta, GA, USA
Favorite non-science activities: Painting, Gaming, Plastic Model Building
Dream Benchmate(s): Morgan Freeman, David Attenborough
Birthday: September 12th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Water Monkey

Ph.D. Students

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Contact:

Email: bakercla@usc.edu

Clayton Baker

Ph.D. Student (Molecular and Computational Biology program)

Education

B.Sc., University of California at Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Hometown: Upland, California
Favorite non-science activities: tennis, hiking, camping, playing with my pets
Dream benchmate: Roger Federer
Birthday: May 12th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Fire Ox
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Contact:

Email: habtemar@usc.edu

Eyael Habtemariam

Ph.D. Student (Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences program)

Fall rotation

Education

M.Sc., Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
B.Sc., Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Favorite non-science activities: watching sitcoms and stand up, conversing with family, experimenting with food
Dream benchmate: Chandler Bing
Birthday: May 12th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Pig
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Contact:

Email: ajlemus@usc.edu

Aaron Lemus

Ph.D. Student (Molecular and Computational Biology program)

Education

B.A. in Biology California State University, Northridge, CA, USA

M.S. in Biology California State University, Northridge, CA, USA

Hometown: North Hollywood, California
Favorite non-science activities: Concerts, Snowboard, and Rock Climbing 
Dream benchmate(s): Alex Turner & Josh Homme 
Birthday: May 12th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Fire Rat

ryan-lu

Contact:

Email: ryanlu@usc.edu

Ryan Lu

Ph.D. Student (Biology of Aging program)

Education

B.Sc., California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA

Hometown: Alhambra, California
Favorite non-science activities: tennis, bowling, computer games
Dream benchmate(s): Rick (from Rick and Morty)
Birthday: November 25th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Wood Dog

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Contact:

Email: eschwab@usc.edu

Ella M. Schwab

Ph.D. Student (Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics program)
Co-mentored with David Lee

Education

B.S., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Hometown: Seattle, WA, USA
Favorite non-science activities: Rock climbing, camping, cooking
Dream benchmate(s): Jennifer Doudna 
Birthday: July 12th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Earth Tiger

Research Technicians

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Contact:

Email: sa_999@usc.edu

Sumiya Abbasi

Volunteer Research Assistant (mentored by Minhoo Kim)

Education

B.M., MBBS, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan.

Hometown: Karachi, PakistanFavorite non-science activities:Reading Fiction, Scuba diving, Amusement parksDream benchmate(s): Tyrion Lannister, House MD Birthday: January 22ndChinese Zodiac Sign: Ox

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Contact:

Email: julioa@usc.edu

Julio “Leo” Alvarenga

Research Lab Technician (Mouse) / Lab Manager

Education

B.Sc., University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Hometown: Los Angeles, CaliforniaFavorite non-science activities: Playing video games, watching anime, and watching KPOP videos with my nephewsDream benchmate(s): the Muscle Mice (from Demon Slayer)Birthday: May 18thChinese Zodiac Sign: Tiger

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Contact:

Email: hengyuzh@usc.edu

Hengyu Zhou

Research Lab Technician
(Fish)

Education

B.Sc., University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
M.Sc., University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

Hometown: Shenzhen, China
Favorite non-science activities: Reading, Weight-lifting, Playing video games
Dream benchmate(s): Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Barry Allen
Birthday: May 29th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Fire Rat

Master Students

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Contact:

Email: skyechen@usc.edu

Shiqi “Skye” Chen

Master Student

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Master Program

 

Education

B.Sc. and B.A., Wake Forest University, NC, USA

Hometown: Shanghai, China 
Favourite non-science activities: Oil painting, Film Photography, Auto Racing, Video Gaming, Musicals, Anime
Dream benchmate: Nozomi Tojo from “Lovelive!” 
Birthday: October 15th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Earth Rabbit
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Contact:

Email:sanqui@usc.edu

Cossette Sanqui

Master Student

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Master Program

 

Education

B.Sc., California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA

Hometown: Walnut, California
Favorite non-science activities: Working out, Reading, Playing MTG, and Baking
Dream benchmate: Jungkook
Birthday: December 19th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dragon

Haoying Tian_Picture

Contact:

Email: haoying@usc.edu

Haoying “Tian” Tian

Master Student

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Master Program

 

Education

B.Sc., University of California, Davis, CA, USA

Hometown: Zhengzhou, China
Favorite non-science activities: Singing, Photography, Hiking
Dream benchmate(s): Bob (from Minions)
Birthday: January 4th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Snake

Undergraduate Research Assistants

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Contact:

Email: lkbailey@usc.edu

Lochlan Bailey

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Neuroscience Major

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Favorite non-science activities: playing guitar, weightlifting, hiking
Dream benchmate(s): Dave Chapelle
Birthday: September 20th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Water Sheep

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Contact:

Email:

Macy Barham

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Human Biology Major

Hometown: Bend, OR, USA
Favorite non-science activities: Skiing, cooking/baking, travel
Dream benchmate(s): Rory Gilmore
Birthday: July 26th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dog

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Contact:

Email:gcardena@usc.edu

George Cardenas

Undergraduate Research Assistant / SURFiN Fellow

Neuroscience Major

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
Favorite non-science activities: Professional piano, making coffee, & playing games
Dream benchmate(s): Glenn Gould
Birthday: January 12th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Goat

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Contact:

Email: eviechan@usc.edu

Evie Chang

Undergraduate Research Assistant

USC Human Biology Major, Occupational Therapy Minor
Hometown: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Favorite non-science activities: spending time with pets, playing video games, enjoying good food
Dream benchmate(s): The Beatles
Birthday: August 9th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Rooster
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Contact:

Email:leonjche@usc.edu

Leon Chen

Undergraduate Research Assistant

USC Quantitative Biology Major
Hometown: Dallas, Texas and Shanghai, China
Favorite non-science activities: Playing basketball, practicing the piano, hanging out with his dog
Dream benchmate(s): Mike Ehrmantraut
Birthday: May 1st
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dog
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Contact:

Email: mingfeic@usc.edu

Mingfei Chen

Undergraduate Research Assistant

USC Neuroscience Major,

Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Favorite non-science activities: Cooking, Crafting, Arcades
Dream benchmate(s): My mom and dad
Birthday: January 2nd
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Rooster

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Contact:

Email: ayguan@usc.edu

Anthony Guan

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Human Development and Aging Major

Hometown: Aptos, California
Favorite non-science activities: skiing, travelling, hanging out with pets, sale shopping
Dream benchmate(s): Kit Connor, Melissa McCarthy, Micheal Scott
Birthday: January 30th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Water Horse

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Contact:

Email: arkashya@usc.edu

Atul Kashyap

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Neuroscience Major

Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Favorite non-science activities: Playing music, travelling, trying new foods
Dream benchmate(s): Detective Carter from Rush Hour
Birthday: October 4th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Wood Rooster

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Contact:

Email: kimcolet@usc.edu

Colette Kim

Undergraduate Research Assistant / SURFiN Fellow

Psychobiology Major (UCLA)

Hometown: Orange County, California, USA
Favorite non-science activities: Traveling, embroidery, and spending time with friends
Dream benchmate(s): Olivia Pope
Birthday: December 30th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Monkey

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Contact:

Email:jlly@usc.edu

Jonathan Ly

Undergraduate Research Assistant / SURFiN Fellow

Human Development and Aging Major

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California
Favorite non-science activities: Hooping, collecting sneakers, spending time with my family.
Dream benchmate(s): Cbossc123
Birthday: Feburary 5th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Monkey

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Contact:

Email: eokolo@usc.edu

Ekene Okolo

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Quantitative Biology Major

Hometown: San Diego, California
Favorite non-science activities: Singing/Songwriting & watching all things Anthony Bourdain
Dream benchmate(s): Walter White & Jesse Pinkman
Birthday: March 30th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Monkey

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Contact:

Email: shensoph@usc.edu

Sophie Shen

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Quantitative Biology Major

Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut
Favorite non-science activities: Crochet, painting, hiking, playing with my two cats, listening to music
Dream benchmate(s): Baymax
Birthday: May 22nd
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dog

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Contact:

Email: zwang474@usc.edu

Justin Wang

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Biochemistry Major

Hometown: Orange, Connecticut
Favorite non-science activities: Cooking, movie marathons, photography, and writing!
Dream benchmate(s): Barack Obama
Birthday: February 19th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Water Goat

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Contact:

Email: jwenner@usc.edu

Jay Wenner

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Neuroscience and Psychology Major

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Favorite non-science activities: Playing trombone, hiking, camping, and reading
Dream benchmate(s): Simone (from The Good Place)
Birthday: July 29th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Wood Monkey

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Contact:

Email: alanxu@usc.edu

Alan Xu

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Quantitive Biology Major

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Favorite non-science activities: Travelling, trying new games and cooking
Dream benchmate(s): Louis Pasteur
Birthday: September 23rd
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Gold Snake

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Contact:

Email:yuhanyua@usc.edu

Yuhan Yuan

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Quantitive Biology Major

Hometown: Shanghai, China
Favorite non-science activities: Hiking, Volleyball, Cooking, Citywalk
Dream benchmate(s): Tony Stark (Iron Man)
Birthday: March 20th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dog

Student workers

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Contact:

Email: bhcho@usc.edu

Brandon Cho

Student worker (Fish team)

Hometown: Torrance, California
Favorite non-science activities: Drawing, gym, hiking
Dream benchmate(s): Shrek and Donkey
Birthday: January 21st
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Horse

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Contact:

Email: fhuss@usc.edu

Faith Huss

Student worker (Mouse team)

Master Student – Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity

Hometown: New London, WI, USA
Favorite non-science activities: Baking/ Cooking, trying new foods, playing with my dogs
Dream benchmate(s): Baymax and Phil Dunphy
Birthday: March 17th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Water Pig

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Contact:

Email:alyssak@usc.edu

Alyssa Kim

Student worker (Mouse team)

Undergraduate Student – Neuroscience Major

Hometown: Pleasanton, California
Favorite non-science activities: Cafe crawling, baking, traveling, golf
Dream benchmate(s): Phoebe Buffay (from Friends)
Birthday: June 19th
Chinese zodiac sign: Dog

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Contact:

Email: abbymcmi@usc.edu

Abby McMillin

Student worker (Mouse team)

Undergraduate Student

Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Favorite non-science activities: Hiking, baking, drawing, enjoying overpriced coffee 
Dream benchmate(s): Vanessa Doofenshmirtz
Birthday: April 9th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Rooster

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Contact:

Email:dobenaue@usc.edu

Delana Obenauer

Student worker (Fish team)

Hometown: Vienna, MO
Favorite non-science activities: reading, spending time with friends, and going to the gym
Dream benchmate(s): Jenna Ortega
Birthday: May 7th 
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Monkey

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Contact:

Email: cpresa@usc.edu

Chloe Presa

Student worker (Fish team)

Hometown: Orange County, California
Favorite non-science activities: Dancing
Dream benchmate(s): Cristina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy
Birthday: February 18th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Monkey

High-School Students

Mascots & Cie

jarvis

Contact:

jarvis.usc.edu

J.A.R.V.I.S.

Lab Server
Dell PowerEdge 360

Hometown: Austin, TX, USA
Favorite non-science activities: running (processes), idling
Dream benchmate(s): Tony Stark
Birthday: October 25th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Fire Rooster

moucifer

Contact:

Above Ryan’s desk

Moucifer

Lab Mascot
Cyagen transgenic mouse

Hometown: Santa Clara, California
Favorite non-science activities: being judgemental, looking at cute pictures
Dream benchmate(s): Pinky and the Brain
Birthday: November 9th
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Fire Rooster

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Contact:

Genome

Turki

Lab Mascot
African turquoise killifish

Hometown: Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
Favorite non-science activities: swimming around, eating
Dream benchmate(s): Nemo and Dory
Birthday: Less than 6 months ago