Lab Members | Zode lab

Linya Li, M.D.

Project Scientist | Center for Translational Vision Research | Gavin Herbert Eye Institute | Plumwood house, lab 315 University of California, Irvine

For over 15 years, I have been an innovative researcher specializing in ophthalmic disease research, concentrating on molecular and cell biology, drug discovery, and pharmacology. My expertise includes developing and conducting in vitro assays, as well as ex vivo and in vivo models for compound screening and gene function studies. I have focused extensively on glaucoma research, where I isolated human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, maintained them in culture and implemented TM cell assays. Additionally, I established a donor human eye perfusion system and developed mouse models of glaucoma to investigate the disease’s pathogenesis. Furthermore, I will conduct in vitro studies to evaluate the effects of various pharmacological compounds to validate glaucoma therapeutics.

Balasankara Reddy Kaipa, Ph.D.

I have two years of experience in vision research, focusing on the pathophysiology of glaucoma and targeted treatment strategies. My work in Dr. Zode’s lab at UCI School of Medicine has involved studying the mechanisms of glaucoma and developing therapeutics. I have received extensive training in molecular cell biology, and bioinformatics, equipping me with vital skills for my career. A significant aspect of my research is creating a genetically inducible myocilin POAG mouse model to mimic human glaucoma, aiding in therapeutic testing. Additionally, I have expertise in molecular diagnostics and vaccine manufacturing technology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I contributed to developing COVAXIN, India’s first COVID-19 vaccine, and later the world’s first intranasal vaccine, iNCOVAC.I have also developed point-of-care molecular detection kits for diseases such as TB, HBV, and HIV, all approved by global regulatory agencies.

Yogapriya Sundaresan, Ph.D.

Dr. Yogapriya Sundaresan (Priya) has been involved in vision research for over 9 years. She is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathology of ocular diseases, including Primary Open Glaucoma (POAG). Her journey in vision research started during her Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) where her studies were focused on understanding the role of trabecular meshwork stem cells in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in normal and glaucomatous conditions. Following graduate school, she focused on characterizing pathogenic variants causing inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and developing possible therapeutic options at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centre, Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Sundaresan is currently a third year postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Zode’s laboratory at the University of California, Irvine. The primary focus of her research is to understand the pathophysiology of POAG with special reference to retinal ganglion cells and autophagy using various mouse models. She has established tools and experimental methods to investigate the role of functional autophagy in the maintenance of RGC homeostasis. Based on her research experience, has master various techniques in cell biology, molecular biology and genetics. She has published over 11 research articles and reviews in the field of ophthalmic research, and she is a recipient of various fellowships and grants including the Lady Tata Memorial Trust Junior and Senior Research Scholarships (2017-2020) and 20/20 society pilot research grant, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UCI (2023- 2024).

Prakadeeswari Gopala Krishnan, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar | Center for Translational Vision Research | Gavin Herbert Eye Institute| Plumwood house, lab 315 University of California, Irvine | Email: prakadeg@hs.uci.edu

Dr. Prakadeeswari (Praddy) Gopala Krishnan is an outstanding young vision researcher with a strong background in transcriptomics, gene therapy, molecular genetics and cell biology for about 10 years (2014-2024). She completed her master’s in Biomedical Sciences (5-years Integrated) from Bharathidasan university, Trichy in 2014. Dr. Gopala Krishnan earned a doctorate in Biomedical Sciences by working with Dr. P. Sundaresan at the Department of Molecular Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai in the year 2019. Her doctoral research has illustrated the genetic association between pathogenic variants and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). She continued her journey in ocular research as a post-doctoral fellow with Prof. Dror Sharon in the Department of Molecular Ophthalmology, Hadassah- Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel where she mastered various molecular and genetic techniques that were used to investigate the expression and therapeutic modalities of FAM161A in retinitis pigmentosa. Altogether, her academic and research skills have gained her 13 research articles and reviews in the field of ophthalmic research. Praddy is currently a senior postdoctoral scholar in Dr. Zode’s laboratory at the University of California, Irvine. Her research work with Dr. Zode primarily enlightens “The transcriptomic profile of human and mouse trabecular meshwork (TM) in glaucoma” and “Isolating, culturing and characterizing the mouse TM cells”. As a long-term goal, she hopes to make innovative and productive contributions to the scientific community to benefit people with blindness. Ping or challenge her for any genomics work! She dedicates 90% of her life to research work, 10% of her life is cooking, listening to music, and dancing.

Sarahi Rios Arguello, B.S

Sarahi graduated from the University of Merced in 2021 with a B.S. in Cognitive Science, where she built a solid foundation in neuroscience, physiology, and computational research methods. In September 2022, she joined UC Irvine through the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. She then embarked on her journey as a PhD student in the Physiology & Biophysics graduate program. Her passion for translational research brought her to Dr. Zode’s laboratory in July 2023. Since then, she has been studying ophthalmology and developing the necessary techniques to study glaucoma, including structural and functional analysis of retinal ganglion cell soma and axons. She is excited to continue to expand her knowledge and skillset in this new area of science. Currently she is investigating the role of astrocytes in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) health as an avenue for future therapeutic targeting in diseases like glaucoma, where RGC neurodegeneration leads to vision loss. In addition, during her time in the laboratory she has mentored several undergraduate students. She strongly believes mentoring and outreach opportunities are essential to foster the next generation of scientists. This past summer she guided high school students in internships aimed to make science more accessible for young women by providing hands-on experiences in cell culture and science communication. Outside of lab Sarahi enjoys painting, and spending time with family and friends.