Graduate Student

Pedro Negri Bernardino, DVM

  • Graduate Student
  • Project 2
Dr. Negri Bernardino is a PhD student in the Graduate Group in Integrative Pathobiology. His main career goal is to work in translational research, where he can bring bench work findings to the clinical field. For CounterACT, Dr. Negri Bernardino is focusing on blood-brain barrier function following organophosphate intoxication.

Valerie Porter, BS

  • Graduate Student
  • Core B
Valerie Porter is PhD candidate working in Dr. Abhijit Chaudhari's lab and collaborating with Dr. Pamela Lein and CounterACT. She is developing automated segmentation techniques with machine learning for analyzing MRI and PET data of brain scans following organophosphate exposure.

Xiaoyue Xiao, BS

  • Graduate Student
  • Core A
Xiaoyue Xiao is a visiting scholar and PhD graduate student in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. She has expertise in antibody preparation and the development of lateral flow immunoassay and ELISA. She serves the immunoassay project for the CounterACT program.

Peter Andrew, BS

  • Graduate Student
  • Project 1
Peter Andrew is a student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program. After graduating from Tufts University, he worked for two years in the Tufts-AstraZeneca Laboratory for Basic and Translational Neuroscience. His graduate research for CounterACT involves the assessment of neuroprotective strategies against intoxication with organophosphates. 

Jeremy MacMahon, BS

  • Graduate Student
  • Project 1
Jeremy MacMahon is a graduate student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program. His research involves characterizing the role of neuroinflammation in chemical exposures and identifying neuroprotective compounds to prevent the long term cognitive decline associated with these exposures.

Maria Muñoz, BS

  • Graduate Student
  • Project 1
Maria Muñoz is a graduate student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program. She first worked as an undergraduate researcher studying the effects of environmental pollution on the lung, and then after graduation, in a cancer biology lab developing models of soft-tissue sarcomas. Maria is working to neuroprotective compounds against the toxic effects from acute organophosphate exposure.

Chelsea Unkel, BA

  • Graduate Student
  • Project 1
Chelsea Unkel is a Ph.D. student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program. She studies the role of neuroinflammation following acute organophosphate intoxication and potential therapeutics to reduce long-term sequalae, emphasizing translational models and understanding of epileptogenesis.

Internal Advisory Board

Kim Barrett, PhD

  • Vice Dean for Research, UC Davis School of Medicine
  • Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Membrane Biology
Dr. Kim Barrett is responsible for implementing key initiatives and fostering partnerships across UC Davis Health and with other schools, centers, and colleagues throughout UC Davis.

Simon Cherry, PhD

  • Distinguished Professor, Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering
  • Co-Director, EXPLORER Molecular Imaging Center
Dr. Simon Cherry's research program focuses on developing innovative technologies for medical imaging, including the EXPLORER total-body PET/CT scanner.

Cristina Davis, PhD

  • Associate Vice Chancellor, Interdisciplinary Research and Strategic Initiatives, UC Davis Office of Research
  • Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Cristina Davis is responsible for initiating and advancing interdisciplinary and strategically important research programs through partnerships with federal, state and other entities.