Lab

Edinger Lab Members

The Edinger lab is composed of dedicated scientists at all levels. Collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, teamwork is highly valued, and diverse opinions and backgrounds are celebrated.

 

Open postdoctoral fellow position; contact Dr. Edinger for additional information.

Aimee Edinger, VMD/Ph.D.

Principal Investigator


 

aedinger@uci.edu

949-824-1921

linkedin /in/aimee-edinger-vmd-phd

Aimee Edinger is a Professor of Developmental and Cell Biology and Chancellor’s Fellow in the UC Irvine School of Biological Sciences, a member of the NCI-designated Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCI, and a AAAS Fellow.

She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and pets, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Rebecca Lim , Ph.D.


 

rmlim@uci.edu

949-824-1035

linkedin in/rebecca-lim-24044685/

Rebecca received her PhD from the USC School of Pharmacy where she worked on CAR T and natural killer cell therapies for cancer and viral diseases with Jianming Xie. She joined the Edinger lab as a postdoctoral fellow in January 2021 and is now working on targeting macropinocytosis for cancer therapy. Rebecca enjoys visiting Disneyland and playing video games.

Brandon Chu, PhD


 

chub2@uci.edu

949-824-1921

Brandon received his undergraduate degree from UC Santa Cruz and then worked for 2 years at UCSF as a technician in the lab studying extracellular vesicles and prostate cancer. He joined the Edinger lab as a graduate student in 2021 and is now working on the macropinocytosis project. In his free time, Brandon enjoys rock climbing and roasting coffee.

Cameron Geller


 

gellerc@uci.edu

949-824-1921

linkedin /in/cameronjgeller

Cameron received his BS and a Masters degree from Cal State University, Northridge and joined the Edinger lab in July of 2021 as a first-year graduate student. Cameron is continuing work on the protein targets of natural and synthetic sphingolipids and investigating how we might utilize sphingolipid therapeutics to overcome therapeutic resistance in cancer patients. For fun, Cameron likes to read (esp. Stephen King), play video games, play guitar, and hang out with his daughter.

Rebeca Velasquez Morale


 

rgvelasq@uci.edu

949-824-1035

linkedinin/rebeca-velasquez-morales

Rebeca graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. After gaining experience as a microbiologist in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, she decided to join the Edinger lab as a lab manager. She has enjoyed working on cancer research so much that she is looking forward to becoming a graduate student. Outside of the lab, she enjoys exercising, cooking, and spending time with her two rabbits Muffin and Boba.

Arielle Perrochon


 

aperroch@uci.edu

949-824-1035

Arielle is a member of the Campuswide Honors Collegium at UCI. She joined the lab as a freshman in 2021. Arielle is seeking to understand how synthetic sphingolipids protect from lipid overload. In her free time, she enjoys making quiches, taking flying trapeze lessons, and caring for her many houseplants.

Brennan Chuang


 

bmchuang@uci.edu

949-824-1035

Brennan is a member of the Campuswide Honors Collegium at UCI and joined the Edinger lab in late 2021. Brennan is currently engaged in the macropinocytosis project.

Jenni Lim


 

jlim23@uci.edu

949-824-1035

Jenni joined the Edinger lab as an undergraduate researcher in 2022. She is excited to learn more about the field of cancer biology by working on the macropinocytosis project. When not in the lab you can find her trying new food/boba places with her friends, playing guitar, or watching shows (she recommends “The Last of Us”).

Recent Alumni

Brendan Finicle


 

bfinicle@uci.edu

949-824-1035

linkedin /in/brendan-finicle

Brendan received his Bachelor’s degree in Developmental and Cell Biology from University of California, Irvine. Brendan joined the Edinger lab in 2017 as a graduate student and is interested in how sphingolipids regulate nutrient access through actions on the protein phosphatase PP2A. He also works on identifying the productive uptake pathways for antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and developing small molecules that can therapeutically enhance their activity. Outside of the lab, you can find Brendan tending to his many orchids or ranting about his hatred of cheese.

Kazumi Eckenstein


 

keckenst@uci.edu

Kazumi joined the Edinger lab as a tech in 2020 after leaving the world of zebrafish and neurobiology at the Oregon Health and Science University. She is excited to learn more about cell development and cancer biology while at UCI. When not in the lab you can find her cooking, riding her bike, or searching for the next great hiking trail.

Wesley Vu


 

wesleyv@uci.edu

Wesley is a Biological Sciences major at UCI hoping to pursue a career in medicine. In addition to participating in research, Wesley serves as a Mentorship Committee Chair in an organization called Student Healthcare in Practice and is also an Organic Chemistry Peer Tutor. In his free time, Wesley enjoys cooking, baking, and taking long naps.

Vaishai Jayashankar, Ph.D.


 

Vaishali obtained a B.Sc. in Biology with an emphasis in Genetics from UC Davis and a M.S in Biological Sciences from the University of the Pacific. Vaishali’’s Ph.D. thesis project focuses on understanding how cancers exploit macropinocytosis to support their metabolic needs. Vaishali is interested in developing strategies to selectively target macropinocytosis for cancer therapy. Outside the lab, Vaishali enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking as well as traveling. Vaishali is currently a scientist at PTC Therapeutics.

Tannaz Razzaghi


trazzagh@uci.edu

Tannaz is a senior undergraduate majoring in Biological Sciences. She is a transfer student and a member of CHC. Her lab project focuses on finding a genetic way to selectively inhibit macropinocytosis. In her spare time, she enjoys poetry from Hafez, feng shui-ing her home, and appreciates eating good food with good company.

Alison McCracken, PhD


 

Alison has worked on a number of different projects in the Edinger lab, including SAR of synthetic sphingolipids, in vitro verification of 893 targets, and characterization of the transcriptional effects of 893 in cancer cells. She received her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Washington. Alison enjoys cooking and baking increasingly elaborate desserts to unwind. Alison is now Principal Scientist at Siege Pharmaceuticals.

Cuauhtémoc (Temoc) Ramirez


 

Temoc Ramirez graduated from UCI in 2020 with a B.S. He was involved in the Minority Science Program at UCI. Temoc is now a graduate student in Gina Lee’s lab at UCI where he is co-mentored by Cholsoon Jang. In his free time he likes to make music and play various games with friends.

Liza Selwan


 

Temoc Ramirez graduated from UCI in 2020 with a B.S. He was involved in the Minority Science Program at UCI. Temoc is now a graduate student in Gina Lee’s lab at UCI where he is co-mentored by Cholsoon Jang. In his free time he likes to make music and play various games with friends.

Want to work in the Edinger Lab?