Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

Dr. Robert A.J. Signer is a stem cell biologist whose trailblazing work on protein synthesis and homeostasis in hematopoietic stem cells opened the door to unchartered areas of cellular investigation. Dr. Signer is currently the Deputy Director of the Stem Cell Discovery Center and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Regenerative Medicine at the University of California San Diego.

Previously, Dr. Signer worked alongside Dr. Sean Morrison as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He earned a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology in Dr. Kenneth Dorshkind’s lab at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science (Biomedical) from the University of Toronto. Dr. Signer has published multiple high-profile papers in top tier scientific journals and presents his leading-edge scientific discoveries around the world. He has been recognized by numerous prestigious awards including the Janet Rowley Award from the International Society for Experimental Hematology, Scholar Awards from the American Society of Hematology and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Distinguished International Young Investigator Award in Stem Cell Research. Coupled with his excellent track record of grant funding, Dr. Signer is one of the foremost thought leaders in stem cell science. A sports enthusiast and adventure traveler, Dr. Signer, a native Canadian, currently lives with his family in San Diego, California.

Mary Jean Sunshine, M.S.
Lab Manager

In her primary role as Lab Manager, Mary Jean (MJ) manages key day-to-day functions of the Signer Lab, while simultaneously investigating genetic mechanisms that regulate the regenerative activity of hematopoietic stem cells. Prior to joining the Signer Lab, MJ was Director of the Transgenic Core at New York University Langone Medical Center, a Researcher in the Transgenic Core at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an HHMI research specialist in Dr. Dan Littman’s lab at NYU, and a technician in Dr. Hal Weintraub’s lab at The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She first became an expert in the art of mouse embryo microinjection in Dr. Liz Lacy’s lab at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. MJ earned her M.S. in Natural Science from Arizona State University and B.S. in Biology & Psychology from Pepperdine University.

Kentson Lam, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine

Dr. Kent Lam recently completed his Hematology/Oncology fellowship in the Physician-Scientist Training Program. He is currently investigating how protein homeostasis is involved in regulating leukemia stem cells. Prior to joining the Signer Lab, Kent received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California San Diego. He performed his graduate work identifying targets of transcription factors that are critical in regulating hematopoietic stem cell function. He earned his B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Lam received a prestigious ASH Scholar award & a KL2 award from the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute.

Helena Yu, M.D.
Associate Physician

Dr. Helena Yu is a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT physician at the University of California San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital. She is investigating hematopoietic stem cell protein homeostasis in pediatric bone marrow failure syndromes and throughout development. Helena completed her pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at University of California San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital and residency at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. She earned her M.D. from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and her B.A. in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago.

Yasar Kasu, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Yasar Kasu is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California San Diego co-mentored by Dr. Robert Signer and Dr. Eric Bennett. His work focuses on uncovering mechanisms of translational control in hematopoietic stem cells. Prior to joining the Signer & Bennett Labs, Yasar earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University where he made important discoveries on protein homeostasis network activity in neurodegenerative disorders. Originally from India, Yasar came to the United States to pursue his dream of becoming an independent scientist. Dr. Kasu was awarded a prestigious fellowship from the American Federation for Aging Research.

Marina Sampaio De Menezes Cruz, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Marina Cruz is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California San Diego. She investigates how stem cells combat the accumulation of protein aggregates during aging. Prior to joining the Signer Lab, Marina conducted research as a Postdoctoral Scholar focusing on the role of autophagy in cardiomyopathies. She obtained her Ph.D. in Health Sciences, M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Dr. Cruz received a prestigious fellowship from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

James Bartram, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. James Bartram is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California San Diego. His work focuses on how protein homeostasis and metabolism intersect to drive stem cell fate determination. Prior to joining the Signer Lab, James earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati where he carried out research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. There, he discovered novel metabolic pathways involved in hematopoietic stem cell lineage commitment.

Fanny Zhou, M.S.
Graduate Student

Fanny Zhou is a Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Sciences Program at the University of California San Diego. Her work focuses on how protein homeostasis mechanisms regulate hematopoietic stem cell aging. Prior to joining the Signer Lab, Fanny was a research associate at Boston Children’s Hospital studying intestinal stem cells using organoid models and at Ohana Biosciences studying male fertility. She earned her M.S. and B.S. in Biochemistry from Brandeis University. Fanny was awarded an F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship.

Amanda Daniels, M.S.
Graduate Student

Amanda (AJ) Daniels is a Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Sciences Program at the University of California San Diego. She is co-mentored in the labs of Dr. Robert Signer and Dr. Eric Bennett. Her work focuses on the role of translation fidelity in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell protein homeostasis, self-renewal, and longevity. Prior to joining the Signer and Bennett Labs, AJ studied the role of Hspa1a in lipid homeostasis. AJ earned her M.S. in Biological Sciences from California State University Fullerton and her B.S. in Biology from the University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau. AJ was awarded an F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship.

Andy Tong, B.S.
Graduate Student

Andy Tong is a Ph.D. student in the Biological Sciences Program at the University of California San Diego. His work focuses on how modulating protein homeostasis mechanisms affects malignant and pre-malignant conditions. Andy earned his B.S. in Bioengineering from the California Institute of Technology and hopes to go on doing aging research.

Dave Kim, M.S.
Research Associate

Yoon Joon (Dave) Kim is a research associate in the Signer Lab. Dave performed his Master’s research in the lab investigating new strategies for targeting the protein homeostasis network in leukemia, which he continues to pursue as a research associate. Dave earned his M.S. and B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of California San Diego and plans on attending Medical School.

Michelle Le
Graduate Student

Michelle is a B.S./M.S. student in the Biological Sciences Program at the University of California San Diego. Her work focuses on mechanisms of translational control in hematopoietic stem cells. Michelle earned her B.S. in Human Biology and plans to attend medical school.

Daniela Dreifke
Undergraduate

Daniela Dreifke is a Senior undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology at the University of California San Diego. She joined the Signer Lab as a Freshman and has contributed to multiple projects investigating protein homeostasis in hematopoietic stem cells. She also helps with other laboratory operations.

Katelyn Chen
Undergraduate

Katelyn Chen is a Senior undergraduate student majoring in Neurobiology at the University of California San Diego. She contributes to projects focusing on the role of protein homeostasis in bone marrow failure syndromes. She also helps with other laboratory operations.