People
The Dickinson Lab strives to uphold the UC San Diego Principles of Community and the University of California’s initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We support all people, no matter their race, ethnicity, cultural background, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, and political affiliations. We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to equality, justice, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Alexandra Jazz Dickinson
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Jazz Dickinson received her PhD in chemistry from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She conducted her post-doctoral research in developmental plant biology with Prof. Philip Benfey at Duke University. She has also served as a visiting scientist at Stanford University and is a recipient of the Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, the Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service at UNC-CH, and the Ruth L. Kirschstein Graduate Fellowship Award. She joined the UCSD faculty in 2020 to pursue research in small molecule regulation of development.
Tao Zhang
POSDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Tao is a postdoctoral scholar at UCSD interested in uncovering the small molecules that regulate Arabidopsis roots development.
Rupak Timilsina
POSDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Rupak is interested in multidisciplinary approaches to understand the regulation of growth and development of root system architecture in plants.
Nathan Stutzman
PhD STUDENT
Nathan is a PhD student in the department of biological sciences at UC San Diego. Nathan is interested in uncovering the mechanisms of de novo root organogenesis in Arabidopsis as a response to wounding.
Andrea Sama
PhD STUDENT
Andrea is a PhD student in the Biological Sciences at UC San Diego. Andrea has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Wellesley College. She is interested in understanding the mechanisms of root development, and is focusing on how environmental stress impacts metabolite profiles in Maize and Arabidopsis roots.
Abigail Tripka
PhD STUDENT
Abby is a Chemistry PhD student in the chemistry and biochemistry department at UC San Diego. Abby is working to uncover the chemical regulators controlling plant root development.
Gabrielle Meza
PhD STUDENT
Gabrielle is a PhD student in the Biological Sciences department at UC San Diego. She received her B.S in Genetics and Plant Biology from UC Berkeley in 2020. Gabrielle is utilizing algae to uncover the biosynthesis and regulation of the small molecule, retinal, within plants to better understand the growth and development of root systems in plants.
Casey Cheng
MASTER’S STUDENT
Casey is a Master’s student who studies how the novel apocarotenoid hormones affect maize roots. Casey received her B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in metabolic biochemistry and education research and plans to pursue a career in the biotech industry. In her free time, Casey likes to explore San Deigo, swim, and surf.
Amman Klair
MASTER’S STUDENT
Amman is a master’s student in the department of biological sciences. Amman has a B.S. in General Biology with a minor in Chemistry from UC San Diego. He is interested in further pursuing a career in research.
Jesus Peng
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Jesus is a third year undergraduate lab assistant pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minors in Environmental Systems at UC San Diego. Jesus is interested in the biochemical mechanisms and genetics of plants and looks forward to continue pursuing a career in research.
Katreena Gundran
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Katreena is a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in General Biology at UC San Diego. She is interested in how changing environments can affect root stem cell development. Katreena plans to pursue a career in research or education focusing on habitat conservation.
Patrick Tram
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Patrick is a third year undergraduate pursuing an undergraduate degree in Human Biology. His work investigates gene expression in root cap death and development as well as chemical regulators of root growth. He aims to purse an M.D with a broad understanding and appreciation of the techniques in biological science.
Past Members
Thank you for all your work!
Joseph Stagg
LAB MANAGER
Jennifer Rodriguez
UNDERGRADUATE
Xavie Claude
UNDERGRADUATE
Delainey Iles
UNDERGRADUATE
