Current Lab Members

Dr. Koletic earned her bachelors of science degree in anthropology at UCLA and her medical doctorate degree at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine. Since college her passion has been to help children manage chronic disease so that they may fulfill their potential as adults. She is an active volunteer since 2007 at Camp Conrad Chinnock, a youth type-1 diabetes camp where she conducted her undergraduate honors thesis studying the socialization of youth with type-1 diabetes.

Adam received his BS in zoology from Michigan State University in 2020 where he has developed a background in managing colonies of laboratory research animals. Since then, Adam has continued working in laboratories specializing in comparative anatomy research. He joined the Jacobs' Lab in 2022 as the gnotobiotic facility manager.

Candace is a PhD student in the Molecular Toxicology Program under the joint mentorship of Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Jesus Araujo. In 2017, She completed her BS at UCLA in environmental science with a concentration in environmental health. She then volunteered at the UCI School of Medicine in the Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory, where she participated in a cardiovascular project exploring the oxidative effects of particulate matter in ApoE -/- mice.

Mary obtained her MD degree in Iran and worked in an emergency department during the chaotic and challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. After immigrating to LA in search of a more peaceful work environment, she discovered her passion for research. Recognizing that her medical background could open doors to the world of laboratories and contribute to scientific progress, she joined the Jacob's Lab in October 2023.

Julianne is a PhD student in the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Program who began her adventures in the Jacobs Lab in January 2020. She completed a BS in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she wrote her undergraduate thesis on how autism and epilepsy-linked mutations in potassium ion channels regulate their trafficking and membrane expression in neurons.

Matt received his BS in chemistry from New York University, where he completed an undergraduate thesis on the application of nucleic acid crystallography towards nano-scale organization of conductive polymers. He is currently studying a Crohn’s disease associated genetic variant and its effects on small intestinal microbiota and susceptibility to an experimental model of enteritis. His work is being supported by an NIDDK T32 Medical Student Research Training Supplement.

Qiang received her BA in political science from Duke University, where she completed an undergraduate thesis on “Chinese Internet Governance: A Historical and Case-Study Analysis of Chinese Internet Corporations.” She then spent two years as a postgraduate clinical research assistant at Yale University, working in the Neurocritical Care Unit. She is now an MD candidate at UCLA and is interested in exploring the gut-brain connection.

Weston recently graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in biology (microbial sciences concentration) and minored in psychology. He joined the Jacobs Lab as a volunteer to further explore the far-reaching effects of microbial metabolism on host physiology. As an aspiring physician, he hopes to harness the gut microbiome to prevent and ameliorate disease.  

Lucy is originally from Portland, Oregon, and is currently studying psychobiology. She plans to attend medical school after graduating from UCLA. Prompted not only by her curiosity to learn more about the human microbiome and the effects it has on the digestive system.

Anil is from Simi Valley, California, 45 minutes north of UCLA. He joined the Jacobs Laboratory to gain experience in digestive diseases research and further understand the role of the gut microbiome in our bodies. After graduating, he plans to attend medical school.

Midori is a fourth year physiological sciences major and global health minor from Carlsbad, California. She joined the Jacobs Laboratory interested in the relation between digestive health and the state of the human microbiome. After graduation, she plans to apply to medical school.

Sydney is currently studying molecular, cellular, developmental biology at UCLA on the pre-dental track. Her initial interest in microbiomes began after learning about commensal microbes and modern biotechnologies during her first year at UCLA. Combined with her passion for dentistry, Sydney is specifically interested in how oral microbiota dysbiosis impacts human health.  

Neha is studying psychobiology at UCLA and plans to attend medical school after graduating. She joined the Jacobs Lab in the winter of 2021 due to her interest in both neuroscience and biology. She is keen on identifying and understanding pathways between the brain and body, much like how the gut microbiome affects overall functionality and health.

Renga is a second year UCLA undergraduate from San Jose, California, who is majoring in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics and minoring in biomedical research. Due to his personal experience with IBD, he chose to join Dr. Jacobs’ lab in order to learn more about the microbiome’s influence on regulating gut health. Renga plans to attend medical school and become a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Jelix is from San Francisco, California, and is currently majoring in physiological sciences and minoring in applied developmental psychology. He joined the Jacobs lab to learn more about the microbiome and its significance to human physiology.