People

Rachel Brem, PhD

Principal Investigator
Associate professor in PMB at UC Berkeley

PhD. Biophysics, UC San Francisco, 2000
BS Biochemistry, Brown University, 1994

Abel Duarte

Graduate Student

Bio under construction.  In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of a gecko.

Melissa Sui

Lab technician
msui@berkeley.edu

 

BS Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, 2021

I joined the lab right after my graduation in 2021, and I’m currently studying the genetic basis of cellular senescence phenotypes through the natural variations of these traits in mouse species. I’m interested in evolution, infectious diseases, and cellular pathways in response to stressors. In my free time, I like to volunteer for teaching organizations, play with my dogs, and try out new restaurants.

Catherine Rha

Lab technician
crha@berkeley.edu

I joined the lab in 2023, and am currently working as a lab technician studying immunology and microbiology. My research focuses on characterizing the interactions between macrophages and Coccidioides spp. In my free time, I like to take care of my plants, try out new recipes, and read.

Kaylee Christensen

Lab technician
kayleeec@berkeley.edu

 

I’m a lab technician in Rachel Brem’s lab at UC Berkeley studying fungal evolution. I graduated from Cal in 2023 with a major in microbial biology and a minor in marine science. My current projects include investigating variation in stress tolerance of Kluyveromyces yeast, analyzing the life cycle of the pathogenic fungus Coccidioides, and dissecting the evolution of yeast as they move from terrestrial to deep sea environments. Outside of lab I enjoy caring for my cat and my many, many houseplants.

Jun Ting Johnson Wang

 Graduate student                                                                                       johnsonwang@berkeley.edu

I joined the lab in 2022 as a lab tech and switched to a graduate student in 2024. My study focuses on genetic interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear genome in terms of thermotolerance in different Saccharomyces species, and the symbiotic relationship between Botryozyma yeast and nematodes. Let’s chat about science and experiments whenever you want! Besides research, I love hanging out with freinds, hiking, cats, etc.

Aniliese Deal

Graduate student
aniliese_deal@berkeley.edu

I joined the lab as a graduate student from the Biophysics program in 2024. Before that, I studied biochemistry and evolution at the Ohio State University and worked as a technician studying proteins involved in stress responses. I will be studying the genetic basis for salt tolerance in different yeast species and characterizing bacterial and fungal communities that grow on seaweed. Outside of the lab, I love reading, soccer, and my cat!

Olusola Ogunyewo

Postdoctoral fellow
shollyt22@berkeley.edu

I joined the Plant and Microbial Biology Department in 2022 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. My research focuses on fungal genomics and metabolism wherein I am trying to employ some advanced molecular tools to understand some genes conferring thermotolerance trait to a highly thermophilic fungus. The over-arching goal of my project is to understand the cellular, molecular, and evolutionary mechanisms of thermophily in the fungus M. thermophila which is highly used as host for cellulolytic enzymes in biorefineries. Outside of lab, I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to music and watching movies.

Lisa Couper

Postdoctoral fellow
lcouper@berkeley.edu

Lisa is a postdoc studying the dynamics of environmentally-mediated diseases in the context of global change. Her research focuses on two main questions: (1) What are the specific mechanisms by which global change drives disease transmission? and (2) What is
the potential for rapid adaptation in infectious disease systems?

Jasmine Leah Naomi Goodman

Undergrade researcher
jasminegoodman@berkeley.edu

I’m currently an undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying molecular environmental biology. I’m working on the Kluyveromyces project, focusing on understanding the genetic basis of stress tolerance. In my free time, I like going rock climbing, making pottery, knitting, and playing NYT mini games!

I’m an undergrad in the lab, studying microbial biology. I’m working on the Kluyveromyces project, and assisting in identifying genes that confer survival against chemical and heat stress. Outside of lab, I like to listen to music, go to concerts, and spend a lot of time outdoors.

Joanne Teh

Undergeade researcher
joanneteh@berkeley.edu

I’m an undergraduate here at UC Berkeley studying Microbial Biology, and I joined the lab in 2023. My work in the lab focuses on the natural variation of cellular senescence phenotypes in mice species. In my free time, I like to draw, read fantasy, spend time outdoors, and explore new places.

Kris Fleming

Undergrad researcher
krisfleming@berkeley.edu

I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in molecular environmental biology. Since I joined the Brem lab back in Fall 2023, I have been working with Olusola towards identifying the genetic basis for the thermophilic nature of the filamentous fungus, Thermothelomyces thermophilus. Outside of the lab, my mycological interests continue as I love to get out into the woods to explore and find the many diverse species of mushrooms we have in California. I also enjoy finding new music to play and going on bikepacking adventures along the coast in the summertime!

Edyta Szewczyk

Project Scientist
edyta@berkeley.edu

I finished my PhD in University of Melbourne in 2003 and joined the Brem lab in 2024 to investigate the genetic mechanisms of evolution using various
fungi as a model. My main focus is on studying Coccidioides sp. in
collaboration with laboratories at UCSF and Northern Arizona
University, and on developing strain engineering techniques for this
and other genetically recalcitrant fungi. Stay tuned for more fungal
projects starting in the near future! Outside of lab, I enjoy travel
and world’s cuisines, botany and foraging for edible plants and
mushrooms, watching movies and night skies.

Brem Lab @ Berkeley Alumni

Maceo Powers, undergrad researcher
Ping Ling Priscilla Ng, undergrad researcher
Noah Simon, PhD
Kyu Chul Chang, MD
Kristina Clemens, PhD
Arjun Sasikumar, PhD
Chris Nelson, PhD
Zhenzhen Ma, undergrad researcher
Judith Edwards, undergrad researcher
Taekyu Kang, PhD
Claire Dubin
Tyler Hilsabeck, PhD, MS
Melanie Abrams, PhD
Faisal Al-Zaben
Julie Chuong
Charles Denby, PhD
Anna Flury
Rylee Hackley
Tiffany Hsu, PhD
Joo Hyun Im, PhD
Hana Lee, PhD
Hilary Martin, PhD
Matthew Metzger, MS
Yulia Mostovoy, PhD
Jeremy Roop, PhD
Alex Thiemicke
Jessie Uehling, PhD
Carly Weiss, PhD
Oh Kyu Yoon, PhD