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

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

Valerie Warkins

Hi! I’m a Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. student at UC San Diego, and I'm interested in detecting and understanding the biology of aging across the human lifespan. My work mainly explores the blood proteomic signature of aging, from what helps people age well to what drives age-related disease. My research background spans developmental neuroscience and therapeutic development for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Beyond the lab, I love dancing, circus acrobatics, sewing, and other clownish endeavors. You’ll often find me poorly attempting a new skill or deep in some side quest. 

Valerie Warkins

vwarkins@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, MAS

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, MAS

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

Rae’hijah U. Cooper

Hello! I am a Research Associate at UC San Diego, where I primarily support the Molina Lab and coordinate the Stein Institute’s 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

Eduardo Chavez

Hi! I’m a Staff Research Associate in the Molina Lab, bringing 20 years of foundational research experience in basic sciences as I transition into clinical laboratory research. My current work spans blood isolation, respirometry studies, and phlebotomy. Outside the lab, I’m an avid foodie who loves exploring new culinary experiences, traveling, and staying active with friends.

Eduardo Chavez

edchavez@health.ucsd.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

Jakob Phillips

Hi! I am a Research Associate and I primarily coordinate for the longitudinal SAGE study, as well as support clinical trials for the Stein Institute. My research interests include resilience, socio-ecological factors associated with well-being, healthy aging, and longitudinal trajectories of health. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, experiencing live music, spending time with loved ones and taking care of my senior dog.  

Jakob Phillips

j9phillips@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

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

Sarah Shaffer, MS

Hi! I am a Research Associate II in the Molina lab, supporting the Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Resource (MBR) Core. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, eating good food, and doing ballet!

Sarah Shaffer, MS

s2shaffer@health.ucsd.edu

Vanessa Scott, MS

Hi, I am the Data Scientist and Data Manager. I primarily manage the longitudinal aging study, SAGE. Additionally, I support Molina Lab/Stein projects’ data needs. In my free time I enjoy trying new coffee spots, skating and spending time with my dogs.

Vanessa Scott, MS

vlscott@health.ucsd.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

Undergraduate Students

Krish Jagasia

Hello! I am a 4th year Neurobiology Major and Music Minor at UCSD. My research interests are in psychosocial healthy aging and physical functioning among older adults, and I primarily assist in the SAGE study. In my free time, I enjoy swimming and playing piano and clarinet.

Krish Jagasia

krjagasia@health.ucsd.edu

Ashita Kazama

Hello! I am a third-year human biology student at UC San Diego. My research interests are in biomedicine, specializing in cellular energetics, physiology, exercise, and health performance. Currently, I assist with exposomic research, as well as epigenetic analysis for Kelly. Outside of the lab, I am a Division 1 Track athlete. I enjoy taking photos, cooking, and eating!

Ashita Kazama

akazama@ucsd.edu

Lab Alumni (last known position)

Howard J. Phang - Finished his PhD and is completing his PharmD at UCSD

Wiliam Dumas - Completing Master’s Degree as a visiting student from New York

Stephanie R. Heimler - Completed her PhD and is enjoying vacation

Jonathan Holguin - Applying to medical school

Graeme H. Morland-Tellez - Medical Student at George Washington University

Marcos Moline - Working as a CNA while applying to medical school

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