Principal Investigator

 

Anthony J Molina, PhD

Professor of Medicine

Scientific Director, Stein Institute for Research on Aging, UCSD Center for Healthy Aging

Research Chief, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine

Anthony J. Molina, PhD

ajmolina@health.ucsd.edu

 
Learn More about my mentorship philosophy

Graduate Students

Stephanie R. Heimler

I am from San Diego, CA and am a 6th-year PhD student in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate program. My research focuses on investigating non-cellular factors that mediate mitochondrial function in the context of neurodegenerative disease. In addition to my research, I am a mentor for the MADURA mentorship program at UCSD and am active on my graduate program’s student council. Outside of the lab, I love baking, hiking, and I am on a salsa/bachata dance team!

Stephanie R. Heimler

sheimler@health.ucsd.edu

Lek Wei (Anson) Seow

Hi there! I am a 3rd-year Biomedical Sciences PhD student at UCSD. My research interests are inflammaging, metabolic diseases, ketogenic diets, lifelong & dynamic resilience, etc. Outside of the lab, I am on the BMS Mental Health & Wellness committee and BMS Planning committee. During my leisure time, I like to go swimming, hiking, running, exploring cute cafes in SD, taking scenic views sunset photos, and playing board games/pickleball with my cohorts! :)

Lek Wei (Anson) Seow

lseow@health.ucsd.edu

William Dumas

Hi! I’m a visiting graduate student studying Bioinformatics at New York University. My desire to do research in aging and cellular bioinformatics came after working in industry, where my background in applied mathematics was unrelated to geroscience or biology! My research focuses on applying computational techniques to aging, specifically multi-omics integration and signatures of mitochondrial health. I also continue to work as the founder of WEAD LLC, where I partner with brands such as Sparkling Ice, Oats Overnight, and Samsung on customer marketing and revenue strategy management.

William Dumas

wdumas@health.ucsd.edu

Howard J. Phang

Hey there! I am a PharmD/PhD student at UCSD’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. My research interests are in natural products drug discovery and healthy aging. When I’m not in school, I enjoy playing video games, watching TV/anime, and creating art! Catch me on Instagram or Tiktok @howpaca :-)

Howard J. Phang

hphang@health.ucsd.edu

Kelly M. Kusche

Hello! I am a 2nd-year Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. student at UC San Diego. My early research experiences have spanned systems neuroscience and immunotherapy development for age-related diseases. Here, I will be researching how lifelong environmental exposures influence biological aging. Outside of lab, I enjoy getting coffee with my lab mates, taking pilates classes, listening to live music, and hanging out at the beach!

Kelly M. Kusche

kkusche@health.ucsd.edu

Laboratory Staff

Stephen Dozier

Hey! I'm Lab Manager in the UCSD lab and head the Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Resource (MBR) core shared facility. I am responsible for blood-cell isolation and profiling and am the webmaster/tech guru for the lab.  My research aims are in blood-based biomarkers and codifying healthy aging metrics. When not at work, I stream, DM Dungeons & Dragons, and play drums/bass guitar.

Stephen Dozier

sdozier@health.ucsd.edu

Lina Scandalis, PhD

Howdy! I am the clinical research coordinator for our studies. I am on a swim and paddling team and galvanize our whole lab to swim every Friday! Catch us at La Jolla Shores ;)

Lina M. Scandalis, PhD

lscandalis@health.uscd.edu

Paula Smith

Executive Assistant, Molina Lab

Office Administrator, Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging

Paula Smith

p5smith@health.ucsd.edu

Jonathan Holguin

Hello! I am a clinical research coordinator. I will be supporting the clinical coordination, phlebotomy, and sample processing aspects of our studies. In my free time I like to stay active, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

Jonathan Holguin

joholguin@health.ucsd.edu

Rae’hijah U. Cooper

Hello! I am a Research Associate at UC San Diego, where I primarily support the Molina Lab and coordinate the Living Lab at Belmont Village La Jolla. My research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and social science, with a particular focus on resilience, aging, and health disparities. Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, exploring new food spots, watching sports (Go Lakers!), and spending time with family and friends.

Rae’hijah U. Cooper

r7cooper@health.ucsd.edu

Nina Sun, MS

I am the Senior Geroscience Lab manager and all area safety manager at UCSD. As a Senior Research Associate, I have solid technical expertise: >30 years of hands-on experience with deep knowledge in cellular/molecular biology. I am a foodie and love traveling.

Nina Sun, MS

nnsun@health.uscd.edu

Jaclyn (Nikki) Bergstrom, MS

Hi, I am the senior statistician for the division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care.

Jaclyn (Nikki) Bergstrom, MS

jbergstrom@health.uscd.edu

Lin Wang, PhD

Hi, I am a seasoned senior research associate specializing in cell and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, and metabolism with over 20 years of experience. When I'm not unraveling the mysteries of science, I'm a happy ultra-marathon runner and backpacker. Additionally, I find immense joy in nurturing my garden, reveling in the beauty of nature's creations.

Lin Wang, PhD

liw004@health.ucsd.edu

Adrian M. Arciniega

Hi there! I am a Research Associate specializing in blood isolation, respirometry, and mitochondrial imaging with research interests in exercise science, metabolism, nutrition, and healthy aging. Outside the lab, I enjoy going to the gym, spending time with family, and relaxing at the beach.

Adrian M. Arciniega

amarciniega@health.ucsd.edu

Volunteer Researchers

Graeme Morland-Tellez

Hi! I’m a recent graduate of Georgetown’s School of Health, now volunteering with the Molina Lab while applying to medical school. Here, I’m grateful for the opportunity to study resilience in its many forms and to explore how these insights can inform clinical strategies that support healthy aging. Outside the lab, I shape and glass surfboards by hand, where I’ve developed a passion for experimenting with foam and function.

 
 

Graeme H. Morland-Tellez

 

gmorlandtellez@health.ucsd.edu

Undergraduate Students

Marcos Moline

Hi, I am an undergraduate researcher.

 

Marcos Moline

mmoline@ucsd.edu

 

Lab Alumni (last known position)

Amber Dewitt - US Navy

Manish Bharadwaj, PhD - Application Scientist, Agilent Scientific Instruments

Daniel Tyrrell, PhD - Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Megan Henderson - Wake Forest University

Cynthia Van Horn, PhD - Wake Forest School of Medicine

Daniel Hurley, DO

Jordan Strober - Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University

Jenny Gonzalez-Armenta, PhD - Senior Scientist in Analytical Development at Jaguar Gene Therapy

Allie Amick, PhD - Medical writer at The Medicine Group

Philip Kramer, PhD - Instructor at Wake Forest University

Adrian M. Arciniega - Post-Baccalaureate at UC San Diego

Lucia Rivera

Eva Skoglund - Molecular Toxicology PhD at UC Berkeley

Gargi Mahapatra - Program Specialist, Science at Hevolution Foundation Us

Isabel Mancilla - Nurse Assistant at a skilled nursing facility