Nabora Reyes de Barboza, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

I’m Nabora Reyes de Barboza, a proud product of the University of California system. My academic adventure started at Merced Community College and culminated at UC Merced, where I was part of the founding class. I earned my Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and my Master’s in Quantitative and Systems Biology there. I then pursued my PhD in Developmental Biology at UC Irvine and completed my postdoctoral training at UC San Francisco in the Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep division. I am a developmental biologist eager to understand how cells utilize signaling pathways within microenvironments to support major changes during development, aging, and regeneration. Outside the lab, I love exploring National Parks, Ecological Reserves, and museums with my two young children and husband. Life truly is an adventure both inside and outside the lab!

Contact Info:

nreyesde@ucsd.edu

Zeying Cao, Ph.D

Postdoctoral Scholar 

I was born in China and completed my undergraduate studies at China Pharmaceutical University. I received my Ph.D from the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where I focused on 3D pulmonary pathology and lung-targeted drug delivery systems. As a postdoctoral researcher in the Reyes lab at UC San Diego, my research investigates how p16INK4a expressing fibroblasts regulate alveolar epithelial repair through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), aiming to understand mechanisms of lung regeneration and aging. Outside of the lab, I enjoy K-pop, jazz dance, and watching tennis!

Contact Info:

zec037@ucsd.edu

Swetha Sundar, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar 

I grew up in India and finished all my studies in various parts of India. I did my PhD on post transcriptional regulation of muscle stem cell quiescence and muscle cell state transitions with Dr. Jyotsna Dhawan at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India. My first stint as a post doc was with Dr. Lorenzo Puri at Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, where I looked into the role of epigenetic regulation as well as neuro muscular junctions on muscle regeneration and trans differentiation. In the Reyes lab, I will be looking into the role of Lung Glycocalyx during aging and lung regeneration. Outside of the lab, I am a Bharatnatyam (Indian Classical dance form) dancer. I enjoy reading books and watching movies. I am a huge Harry Potter and Indian film music fan.

Contact Info:

swsundar@ucsd.edu

Alma Renero

PhD Graduate Student

I was born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I attended El Camino Community College and then transferred to UC San Diego to complete my B.S in Molecular and Cell biology in 2020. After graduating I worked in the muscle stem cell field at Sanford Burnham Prebys and then in the antibody oligonucleotide field at Avidity Biosciences. I started as a PhD student in the Biological Sciences program in 2022. In the Reyes lab, I am interested in investigating how p16INK4 expressing fibroblasts respond to influenza A in the lung. My hobbies outside of lab include ceramics, hiking, and camping!

Contact Info:

arenero@ucsd.edu

Julianne Carnes

Staff Research Associate II

Hello! I’m Julianne, a Staff Research Associate at the Reyes Lab. My academic journey began at community college, where I earned an Associate of Science in Biology. I then transferred to UCLA, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. While at UCLA, I had the opportunity to intern at the Koltsova Lab at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, focusing on IL27 and its involvement in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Now in the Reyes Lab, my primary focus will be characterizing the secretome of p16INK4a fibroblasts. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, and spending time at the beach!

Contact Info:

jucarnes@ucsd.edu

Miriam Schoeler, DMD

Staff Research Associate I

Hello! My name is Miriam Schoeler, and I am a Staff Research Associate at the Reyes Lab. Originally from Germany, I moved to San Diego in 2024. I earned my degree in Dentistry from Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn in 2009 and later specialized in Orthodontics at Danube Private University in Krems, Austria, completing my studies in 2021. Before coming to UC San Diego, I spent ten years working in the Netherlands. Surrounded by researchers in my daily life, I developed a deep passion for scientific inquiry, a curiosity sparked early on by my mother, a teaching assistant, who introduced me to microscopy in the lab. During dental school, I loved working in the lab and learning essential research techniques. Now, as part of the Reyes Lab, I am excited to explore cellular senescence in the lung and the pathways that contribute to lung regeneration. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, a postdoc at UCSD, and our daughter, while exploring San Diego and discovering all that California has to offer.

Contact Info:

Mschoeler@ucsd.edu

Ethan Yu

High School Student  

Hello! My name is Ethan, and I am a sophomore at Del Norte High School. Growing up, I was always focused on STEM and participated in a variety of competitions ranging from the Science Olympiad to MATHCOUNTS. However, I discovered my passion for biology after taking AP Biology in my freshman year. Intrigued by the inner workings of the body and the function of cells, I grew my passion for biology by participating in research programs such as OPALS and preparing for biology competitions such as the USABO and ARBC. These experiences fostered my passion for biomedical research and my goal to become a biomedical researcher to improve medical techniques. Now, in the Reyes Lab, I am excited to dive deeper into the mechanisms behind cellular senescence and visualize data regarding senescent fibroblast cells in the lung. I also enjoy playing club soccer and instruments such as the guitar and piano in my free time.

Jorge Sanchez

Staff Volunteer Researcher

Hello! My name is Jorge. I was born and raised in San Pasqual Valley, California, and I’m a proud first-generation college student and UC San Diego alumnus. I began my academic journey at San Diego Mesa College, where I worked as a peer mentor and instructional lab technician in microbiology, before transferring to UC San Diego to complete my B.S. in Human Biology in 2023. I am pursuing a career in medicine to address healthcare disparities and serve underrepresented communities. At the Reyes Lab, my research centers on autoimmune disorders and their impact on lung integrity, with a focus on COPA syndrome, a rare disease that disrupts vesicle trafficking and causes immune-driven lung damage. Using flow cytometry, microscopy, and molecular biology approaches, I study how disruptions in cellular signaling fuel immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation, aiming to inform new therapies for autoimmune lung disease. Outside of research, I enjoy endurance sports like running, biking, and swimming, as well as mixed martial arts. I also value time with my family and engaging in community-based healthcare outreach.