Team Members

PI

J. Cesar Ignacio Espiniza, PhD, Assistant Professor (Fall 2023–)

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Current students

Alexis Lopez, M.S. student (Fall 2026–)

Sheila Gutierrez, M.S. student (Fall 2026–)

Kim Vu, M.S. student (Fall 2026–)

Chun-Yu Chen, undergraduate researcher, Claremont McKenna College (iGEM 2026)

Xiaokuan Wang, undergraduate researcher, Harvey Mudd College (iGEM 2026)

Yan Yan, undergraduate researcher, Harvey Mudd College (iGEM 2026)

Wichuan Li, undergraduate researcher, Harvey Mudd College (iGEM 2026)

Victor Rafael Escobar, PhD student (Fall 2024-)

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Alumni

Ayam Mainali, KGI-SURE summer researcher (2026)

Emmet Choi, KGI-SURE summer researcher (2026)

Khalid Abdullah, M.S., KGI (2024–2025)

Matthew Lopez, M.S., KGI (2024–2025)

Ryan Fue, KGI-SURE summer researcher (2025)

Joshua E. Barrow, KGI-SURE summer researcher (2025)

Akshay Seetharam, KGI-SURE summer researcher (2024)

Ramzi Tweini, independent study, KGI (2024)

Anya Sharma, independent study, Scripps College (2024)

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Mentored at USC (2015–2021)

Lisa Duong, MESA intern, East Los Angeles College

Yanpui Chan, undergraduate, USC

Yuxuan Zou, exchange student, Beijing Normal University (manuscript co-author)

Stephanie Yi, undergraduate, USC

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Interested in joining? Email jespinoza@kgi.edu.