Pedersen Lab
LABORATORY OF MicroRNA Biology and Blood Brain Barrier
Principal Investigator: Irene Pedersen
Members
Irene Munk Pedersen PhD
Dr. Pedersen received her BS and MS in Molecular Biology from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, her PhD. working in Dr. John Reed’s lab, at the SBP Institute in La Jolla on apoptosis resistance and her post-doctoral studies in Dr. Michael David’s lab at UCSD focused on cytokine regulated miRs. Dr. Pedersen setup her own lab at UCI in Irvine in 2011 continuing her work on miRs roles in stem cells, neurological disorders (stroke, Alzheimer’s disease) tumorigenesis and viral disease. Dr. Pedersen joined the Scintillon Institute faculty as a tenured Associate Professor in September 2019. Dr. Pedersen currently holds an R01 from NINDS. Email: imp@scintillon.org
Victor Martinez, BS
RESEARCH ASSISTANT,
PETERSON LAB
Elaine Heatherington PhD, Post-doctoral Associate
Elaine earned her Ph.D. in 2015 from UCSD in San Diego, studying the role of interferon-inducible genes (including miRNAs) in cancer and viral disease. Elaine then did an immunology based post-doc in Dr. Rickert’s laboratory at the SBP Institute. The current focus of Elaine’s work is to characterize the role of specific miRs in neurological disorders and cancer and evaluate novel RNA-based tools to counteract the dysregulation in humans. Email: eheatherington@scintillon.org
Charlotte Leung MS, Research Associate
Charlotte earned her Master’s in genetics at Newcastle University studying cardiac development in the zebrafish. Charlotte then obtained immunology training in the Rickert lab at the SBP Institute in La Jolla. Charlotte is currently focused on using novel innovations to characterize the cellular network which specific miRs function through. Charlotte is also interested in evaluating how to utilize RNA as novel treatment regimens. Email: cleung@scintillon.org
Charles Martin, MS.
Charles has 15+ years of experience in stem cell reprogramming and cell differentiation strategies, using miRs and mRNAs as tools. In addition Charles has extensive expertise at designing and running drug screening projects.
Sara
Karma
Karma obtained her puppy training at luluslilassusies in Utah and traveled by plane with her puppy nanny to Corona del Mar in SoCAL in November 2015. Karma is now responsible for creativity, fun and good Karma at SI and she is always up for a walk or cuddle.