PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Helen is passionate about mentoring and using frogs to do the legwork of interpreting psychiatric disorder genetics. She received her PhD in genetics from Yale University and postdoctoral training from Richard Harland (UC Berkeley) and Matthew State (UCSF). She is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UCSF and an Investigator with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. Outside lab, Helen enjoys the performing arts and crafting.

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POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Delfina is a postdoctoral researcher studying a role for SHANK3 in cilia and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Phelan-McDermid syndrome. She earned her PhD in genetics from Yale University in 2024 where she did research on SMAD nuclear transport using yeast, frogs, and human cell lines. She graduated with a BA in Biology from Pomona College in 2017. In addition to science, Delfina is passionate about equitable teaching, mentorship, and educational development to support students from underserved populations. Outside of lab, she loves dancing, running, and yoga. 

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POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Kate is a postdoctoral researcher studying the role of autism genes on microtubule stability. Before moving to the Bay Area, she studied neuroscience at Middlebury College. She received her PhD in neuroscience from UCSF in 2024 where she studied the role of autism genes in the development of the enteric nervous system. Outside of lab, Kate loves trail running and gravel biking and enjoys participating in scientific outreach programs and Twitter.

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POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Bianca is a postdoctoral researcher exploring the role of the autism-associated gene STXBP1 in cilia development. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Milan in 2017 and earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Miami in 2024, where she investigated the function of KCNQ channels in glial cells using C. elegans as a model organism. Beyond the lab, Bianca is passionate about salsa and bachata dancing and is dedicated to the sport of pole dance.

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GRADUATE STUDENT, DEVELOPMENTAL & STEM CELL BIOLOGY

Elina is a DSCB graduate student studying the role of SYNGAP1 in development using Xenopus as a model organism. She received her B.S. in Biology with a specialization in genetics from the University of Chicago. She is passionate about inclusive teaching and mentorship, with a focus on disability justice. Outside of lab, she enjoys Olympic weightlifting and attempting small scale DIY furniture projects. 

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GRADUATE STUDENT, DEVELOPMENTAL & STEM CELL BIOLOGY

Angeline is a DSCB gradute student studying KCNT1 epilepsy using Xenopus as a model organism. She graduated from San Francisco State University with her B.S. and M.S. in Cell and Molecular biology. She enjoys mentoring students as well as spending time with her two cats and running in Golden Gate Park.

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GRADUATE STUDENT, NEUROSCIENCE

Anna is a Neuroscience graduate student screening for genetic modifiers of ASD risk genes in Drosophila. She received her B.S. in neurobiology from Georgetown University. She worked at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) as a postbaccalaureate fellow, studying lipid metabolism and transport in the larval brain. Outside of the lab, she enjoys exercising, participating in sports leagues, and spending time with her twin sister and their cats.

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GRADUATE STUDENT, NEUROSCIENCE

Christina is a Neuroscience graduate student studying ciliogenesis and neurodevelopment in Xenopus, specifically the role of cilia in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders. She earned her B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience at Florida International University in Miami, FL. Christina enjoys participating in educational outreach programs to teach students about science. Outside of the lab, Christina loves to hike around the Bay Area.

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LAB MANAGER

Ethel has a B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the Philippines. Through the Bridge to Biotech Program offered by City College of San Francisco, she earned a Laboratory Technician Certificate. Ethel manages the laboratory, its databases, and contributes to many projects, particularly in translating results from frogs to human cells.

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RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Juan received his B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego. With extensive experience working with stem cells, he lends his guidance, leadership, and wet-lab management skills to the Willsey Lab as well as the State Lab. Currently, Juan is working on several projects involving iPSCs and CRISPR-Cas9.

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RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Nolan graduated from UC Davis and is a research assistant in the laboratory, taking care of all frog-related matters. He has a passion for veterinary work and animal pathogens.

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RESEARCH ASSISTANT

James graduated in 2023 with a B.A. in Neuroscience from Pomona College, where he played baseball and focused his on-campus research towards chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in Drosophila. He recently returned home to the Bay Area to expand his model organism expertise to Xenopus. Outside of the lab he enjoys spending as much time outdoors with his dogs as humanly possible.

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RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Catherine graduated from UC San Diego in June 2023 with a B.S. in Chemistry. She assists with different research projects in the lab by performing molecular biology techniques. She hopes to continue learning more about the genes associated with ASD and incorporate her love for chemistry and biology. Outside of lab, she enjoys reading and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

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ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Ashley helps the lab with all things admin! She has been with the Willsey-State group since 2018 and loves to help find solutions to any and all problems. Ashley attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts where she studied Sociology and Gender Studies. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and son.

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MD/PhD Student

Yuxiao was an undergrad volunteer and then a research assistant in the State and Willsey labs. She is now a MD/PhD student at WashU.

Science Coordinator

Cameron was a postdoc and she is now a science coordinator at College Preparatory School.

MD Student

Albert was an undergrad volunteer and then a research assistant in the State and Willsey labs. He is now a medical student at California Northstate University College of Medicine.

Specialist

Micaela was a postdoc in the Willsey lab and is now a Specialist at the Center for Advanced Light Microscopy (CALM) at UCSF.

Kate volunteered in the lab during the summers of 2023 and 2024. She is currently a senior at Middlebury College.

Postbacc Fellow

Maya was an undergrad volunteer and is now a Postbaccalaureate fellow at the National Cancer Institute.