Meet The Current Team
Dr. Pascale S. Guiton
I go by Dr. G. for simplicity. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at SCU, passionate about the microbial world. I am a scientist-educator first and foremost! I teach my mentees skills required for rigorous scientific experimentations, each student according to their needs and their career goals. I value cross-cultural understanding, equity, inclusiveness, and compassion, which I strive to instill in students in her classrooms and lab. I enjoy traveling the world with my family!
Sarah Tesfaye
I am a sophomore majoring in biology and minoring in biotechnology at Santa Clara University. I’m interested in molecular and genetic biology. My focus in the lab is on Toxoplasma’s initial stages of infection in the GI tact. Outside the lab, I enjoy trying new restaurants and spending time with my family and friends.
Meir Zhang
I am a third-year student majoring in Biology at Santa Clara University. I am interested in biostatistics and microbiology, and after graduating, I aim to pursue further studies in graduate school. Aside from academics, I enjoy listening to music, singing, dancing with friends, and reading digital comics like webtoons.
Edres Babacarkhial
I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry and B.S in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology from California State University East Bay. My M.S. thesis research project focuses on understanding how developmentally regulated metabolic enzymes contribute to stage conversion in Toxoplasma. Outside the lab, I enjoy good company, reading novels, and watching Netflix.
Sarah Herrington
I am a sophomore majoring in Biology and minoring in Public Health at Santa Clara University. After graduating, I want to pursue a career in the healthcare field and am especially interested in ethical issues within it. I am involved in the metabolic project in the lab. Outside the lab, I love to play tennis, travel, and hang out with my friends.
Nneka Onyewuenyi
I am a second-year student at SCU majoring in Biology. I’m primarily interested in human biology and health sciences. After my undergrad, I plan to go to medical school and progress toward my goal of becoming either a pediatrician or pediatric surgeon. I am part of the lab team working on alternative splicing. Outside the lab, I love baking/cooking, watching Disney and Marvel movies, and playing video games with my sisters.
Ziggy S. Guiton
Lab Security and cuddling officer
Woof! Woof! I’m Ziggy, Dr. G's best friend since I was a 4-month-old puppy in 2011. I am a hypoallergenic Shih-Tzu Bichon Frisé. Occasionally, I visit Dr. G's workplace for petting time. However, as the lab security officer, I ensure no one violates the lab safety rules! When I’m not working, I like to lounge on the sofa, play fetch, and visit my friends.
Fatima Mercado Luevano
I am a senior majoring in biology at Santa Clara University. I enjoy learning about microbiology, genetics, and biotechnology. For fun I like to hike with friends, explore genres of music, and play with my (and other people's) pets.
Michael Allen
I am a first-year student majoring in Biology at SCU. I am mainly interested in human biology and microbiology, in addition to a fascination with health sciences. I plan to pursue medical school after graduation and eventually become an anesthesiologist. In the lab, my team primarily focuses on alternative splicing. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, working out, skating, and watching shows.
Olivia Chavez
I am a second-year biology student at SCU with a minor in biotechnology. I am interested in molecular biology and genetics and intend to pursue the biotech industry after graduate school. I enjoy listening to music and watching movies when I’m not in the lab or studying.
Ghewa Marsh
As a Junior majoring in Biology and minoring in Biotechnology, my aspiration is to attend medical school and carve out a career in medicine, with a keen focus on pediatrics and integrated medicine. Within the lab, I'm actively engaged in the mucosal barrier project. Beyond my academic endeavors, I cherish spending quality time with my family, diving into books, and delighting in the world of video and board games.
Ash Uyematsu
I am a third-year majoring in Public Health and Biology, alongside a minor in Japanese at SCU. I am interested in epidemiology and genetics. In the future, I would like to be a scientist in an epidemiology lab. Outside of the lab, I like to surf and do art.
Chloe Du
I am a junior majoring in biology at Santa Clara University. I am interested in neuroscience and microbiology. After I graduate, I plan to go to optometry school and eventually become a pediatric optometrist. My hobbies include figure skating, painting, and baking.
Emily Rios
As a senior, I'm pursuing a dual major in Biology and Neuroscience, complemented by a minor in Public Health, delving into the dynamic intersections of these fields. Engaged in the Guiton lab’s protein trafficking team, I merge my academic interests with hands-on research. Beyond studies, I enjoy hiking, dancing, and reading. My ultimate ambition is to attend dental school and provide orthodontic care in underserved communities.
Jojo Lampka
I am a junior majoring in biology and minoring in biotechnology at Santa Clara University. After I graduate I aim to complete a PhD in drug/systems development. Our team works with the alternative splicing aspect of Toxoplasma gene regulation. Outside of school, I enjoy going on adventures outdoors, being with my friends, and training dogs at the local animal shelter.
Bilbo S. Guiton
Double Woof! I’m Bilbo, the latest furry lab member! I was rescued when I was just one-year-old (2024)! I love my new home and love making new friends. And like my big brother, I am a stickler for lab safety.
Lab Alumni
Neeve Esfahani (2023) - Undergraduate at SCU.
Gillian Heimple (2022-2023) - Undergraduate at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Jordyn Quesenberry, B.S. (2022-2023) - Medical Assistant, Hawaii.
Cynthia Martinez, M.S. (2020-2022) - Quality Control Analyst II at Revance Therapeutics, Newark, CA.
Audrey Topacio (2021-2022) - Graduating senior with a major in Biology at CSU East Bay
Azza Abid, B.S. (2021-2022) - Aspiring physician.
Julia Muth, B.S. (2021-2022) - Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from CSU East Bay.
Sahana Kuchibhotla (2020-2022) - Undergraduate at John Hopkins.
Hani Liu (2021-2022) - Undergraduate at UC Berkeley.
Nicole Li (2021-2022) - Undergraduate at UCLA.
Avraj Bal, B.S. (2020-2021) - Aspiring physician.
Soha Baig (2021-2022) - Undergraduate at UC Berkeley.
Selam Asfaw (2021-2022) - Undergraduate at Brown University.
Katherine Woolbright, B.S. (2020-2022) - Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from CSU East Bay.
Arjun Subramanian (2020-2021) - Johns Hopkins University undergraduate.
Vaneshree Pillay (2021) - Graduating senior majoring in Biological Sciences.
Paula Rodriguez (2017-2021) - LSAMP fellow, Graduate Student at UC Davis Doctoral program in Neuroscience.
Aparna Anundkumar (2019-2021) - UC Berkeley undergraduate.
Elida Shilts, B.S. (2020-2021) - Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from CSU East Bay.
April Reyes (2021) - Graduating senior Biological Sciences at CSU East Bay.
Christina Stach, B.S. (2020-2021) - Medical Student at Dartmouth School of Medicine, Hanover, NH
Fatemeh Saremi (2019-2021) - Graduating senior Computer Science at CSU East Bay
Leela Nidumolu (2019-2020) - M.S. student, CSUEB
Zachary Watkins (2019-2020) - Graduating senior majoring in Biological Sciences and Physics, CSUEB
Proyasha Roy (2019-2020) - M.S. student, CSUEB
Ariel Moline (2019-2020) - Graduating senior, major in Biological Sciences (Human Physiology), CSUEB
Janak Sharma, B.S. (2018-2020) - Endocrinologist Assistant in Virginia, applying to Ph.D. programs in neuroscience
Daniel Ho, B.S. (2018-2020) - Research technician in Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA.
Emily Quach, M. S. (2017-2020) - Adjunct faculty at Peralta Community College District, Oakland, CA
Binh Cao, B.S. (2017 - 2019) - LSAMP fellow, Medical student at UCSF with a full scholarship
Amanpreet Sidhu, B.S. (2018-2019) - PHAP; CSUEB
Ankush Khalia, B. S. (2018-2019) - Medical Scribe/Flow Coordinator, ScribeAmerica, Fremont, CA
Amanda Brawley (2018-2019) - Senior, major in Biological Sciences, CSUEB
Noresha Brown (2018)- Junior, major in Biological Sciences (Biomedical Laboratory Sciences ); minor in Chemistry, CSUEB
Emma Sheldon (2017-2018) - Senior, major in Biological Sciences, CSUEB
Parmeet Dhillon (2017-2018) - Senior, major in Biological Sciences (Human Physiology); a minor in Chemistry, CSUEB
Christopher Javier, BS (2017-2018) - Research Technician at Eurofins, US
Leslie Ann Ong, B.S. (2017-2018) - Research Associate at Pivot Bio, Berkeley, CA.