Lab Members

Nick Pannunzio, PhD

Nick received his Ph.D. from the City of Hope in Genetics and Molecular Biology studying mechanisms of homologous recombination. His post-doctoral training was performed at the University of Southern California where he contributed to the understanding of several biochemical aspects of the non-homologous end-joining DNA repair pathway and how DNA breaks in human B cells can result in chromosomal translocations common in many B cell malignancies. The current focus of the Pannunzio Lab is to understand how DNA sequence and torsional stress combine with endogenous sources of DNA damage to lead to these translocations. A further goal is understanding the prevalence of cancer health disparities where there are clear differences regarding cancer occurrence, treatment outcomes, and survivorship between racial and ethnic groups. This research has direct implications for preventing and treating several human cancers. Has directed The Pannunzio Lab since its inaugural season in 2019 after Scorsese turned it down.

Valeria Rangel

Valeria received her B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Arizona State University and started as the lab manager for the Pannunzio Lab. She discovered her passion for science at a very young age and has since decided to dedicate herself to the world of scientific research and innovation. Her plans for the future include furthering her education by earning a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry. During her free time, Valeria enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as taking long walks and watching the sunset. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in the Season 1 pilot.

Melissa Folkerts

Melissa received her B.Sc. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA and began as a Jr. Specialist in the Pannunzio Lab. She has always known that she would pursue a career in research and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in the Pannunzio Lab. Though science is her main focus, Melissa also likes to enjoy her time watching comedy video podcasts and baking shows with her friends or pup, Rocky. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in the Season 1 pilot.

Alisa Mahieu

Alisa received her B.Sc. in Molecular Biology from Brigham Young University and then worked in a laboratory performing gene expression screenings for cancer patients. Now, she is happy to be a PhD student at UCI studying Biological Chemistry. Her current research focuses on how circadian clock disruption and genomic instability can drive cancer progression. Outside of the lab, she likes yoga, playing the harp, and bringing her dog to the park.  Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 3 and has a co-starring role in The Masri Lab.

Victoria Shen

Victoria received her B.S. in Global Disease Biology from UC Davis. While there, she performed undergraduate research in the lab of Geoff Attardo where she collected DNA and RNA from field samples of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 3.

Jonathan Hakimian

Jonathan received his B.S. in Chemistry from California State University, Northridge. As an undergraduate, he studied the recruitment of key DNA repair proteins in the Baker’s Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Working towards his career ambitions in biochemical research, he is thrilled to be a part of the Pannunzio lab, identifying specific types of DNA throughout the human genome. Outside of lab, Jonathan enjoys taking care of house plants and a fish tank, hiking, and playing racquetball. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 4.

Cameron Hom

Cameron received her B.S. in Molecular and Medical Microbiology from UC Davis in 2023. As an undergraduate, she did research in Wolf-Dietrich Heyer’s lab understanding how mismatch detection proteins prevent multi-invasion recombination outcomes using model organism S. cerevisiae. Now, she’s excited to continue her journey in DNA repair as a Ph.D. student in the Pannunzio Lab. When not in the lab, she enjoys growing plants, fishing, dancing, and cooking. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 5.

Taylor Wright

Taylor is a second-year Biological Science major at UC Irvine. He has always had an interest in genetics and plans to pursue a medical career in the genetics field. Through the Pannunzio Lab, he hopes to gain more knowledge on the genetic components contributing to certain blood-cancers. In his spare time, Taylor enjoys painting, listening to music, and collecting records. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 3.

Vyanka Mezcord

Vyanka is a Biological Sciences major with a concentration in molecular biology and biotechnology, and a minor in Anthropology at California State University, Fullerton. She has contributed to multiple publications as a lead researcher in a microbiology lab studying antibiotic resistance for almost three years. Her interest in the interplay between DNA damage, cancer, and health disparities led her to join Dr. Pannunzio’s lab. This experience has influenced her to pursue graduate studies in molecular biology, where she plans to focus on addressing cancer health disparities. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking and exploring national parks. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 5

Ashley Valdovinos

Ashley is a third-year Biological Sciences major. Interested in oncological research, she hopes to attend graduate school with an emphasis in molecular biology. She joined the Pannunzio lab to
hone laboratory skills and learn more about DNA damage and its role in preventing cancer. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and reading. Joined The Pannunzio Lab in Season 5.

Aya Garawi

Undergraduate, Seasons 2-4

Jason Sterrenberg, PhD

Postdoc, Seasons 1-3

Current position: Kite Pharma

Huiyi Bao

Undergraduate, Season 3

Samuel Kim

Undergraduate, Seasons 1 and 2

Sarah Eugenie Lee

Undergraduate, Pilot – Season 2