People

SELECT: Nasim Annabi | Members

Members

Ronak Afshari

Dr. Ronak Afshari received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Shahid Beheshti University, where she was recognized as the Outstanding Ph.D. Researcher for her work on the design and synthesis of innovative therapeutic small molecules, functional nanomaterials, and polymeric systems for biomedical applications. She subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Sharif University of Technology, focusing on nanobubble-based therapeutic platforms. Dr. Afshari is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Annabi Lab, where she has contributed to multiple NIH-funded projects, high-impact publications, and patented biomaterial technologies. Building on her expertise in organic synthesis and molecular design, her current research focuses on developing novel multicomponent reaction-based biomaterials and integrating innovative organic chemistries with advanced biomaterials to create next-generation injectable bioadhesives, stimuli-responsive hydrogels, tissue-engineered scaffolds, and lipid nanoparticle platforms for therapeutic delivery and tissue regeneration. Alongside her research, she contributes to laboratory and project management, grant development and coordination, and the execution of multidisciplinary research programs, working cross-functionally with researchers, collaborators, clinicians, and administrative teams across multiple institutions to advance projects from concept and proposal development through implementation and completion. Dr. Afshari also serves as the Vice Chair of Advocacy and Campus Relations for the UCLA Postdoctoral Association (PDA), where she advocates for postdoctoral scholars and promotes professional development and campus engagement. Her research interests include synthetic organic reactions, biomaterials, polymer chemistry, nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, and controlled drug delivery.

rafshari@g.ucla.edu

Amin Mirzaaghasi

Dr. Amin Mirzaaghasi received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Bio and Brain Engineering from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), widely recognized as the MIT of South Korea. His research background spans nanomedicine, pharmacology, biomaterials, and translational medicine, with extensive experience in in vivo pharmacology, molecular biology, and regulatory-supporting research aligned with FDA and ISO standards. During his postdoctoral training at UCLA/UCSF in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, he focused on biomaterials engineering, immune mechanobiology, and translational therapeutic platforms for tissue regeneration applications. His current interests include smart biomaterials, translational nanomedicine, and clinical research. Outside the lab, Amin enjoys seaside running, watching comic series, and cooking.

mirzaaghasi62@g.ucla.edu

Fang Zhou

Fang joined Professor Annabi’s lab as a Master student in Fall 2023 and upgraded to the Ph.D. program in Spring 2025. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Soochow University in 2019, where she conducted her undergraduate research on the photo-induced self-assembly polymerization of biodegradable polyesters. Following graduation, she worked as a research assistant at a scientific corporation, gaining hands-on experience with polymer-stabilized metallic nanoparticles and their biomedical applications. Her current research interests focus on the development of electroconductive biomaterials for myocardial infarction repair, 3D bioprinting of hierarchical structure and vascularization. Outside of the lab, Fang enjoys hiking, watching anime and singing.

florazhou@g.ucla.edu

Min-Hsuan lin

Jessie joined Dr. Annabi’s lab in 2023 as a PhD student of Chemical Engineering. She received her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from National Taiwan University (NTU) (2020). She then worked in Dr. Ying-Chih Chang’s lab at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan, in which she helped develop an in vitro drug screening system for circulating tumor cells (CTCs). After that, she came back to NTU to study for her master’s degree with Dr. Jiashing Yu, focusing on the research of conductive biomaterials for tissue engineering. She is now interested in exploring biomaterials that have multifaceted applications and unlocking their potential to solve pressing real-world challenges. In her free time, Jessie enjoys watching comedies and animes and spending time with friends.

linmin@g.ucla.edu

Zhanpeng (Jim) Liu

Jim joined Professor Annabi’s lab as a Ph.D. student in the fall of 2023. He received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China (2023). For his undergraduate research, he focused on developing the microbially induced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surface modification approach and investigating the unique mechanics of the generated structure, as well as fabricating the novel drug delivery system which could be used for bone regeneration. He is now researching on the biomaterials system for tissue homeostasis regulation, especially targeting ocular tissue. In his free time, Jim likes doing wildlife photography, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

zpliu30@g.ucla.edu

HANH NGUYEN

hanhn@g.ucla.edu

Steven Vo

Graduating from UCLA in June of 2023 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Steven returned to his alma mater to continue his research with Dr. Annabi in the Annabi Lab as a graduate student in chemical engineering. His time as an undergraduate in the Annabi Lab primarily consisted of tough hydrogel optimization and characterization for ocular drug delivery and wound healing. As a graduate student, his focus has shifted into exploring tough hydrogels capable of supporting tissue growth. More specifically, he is working on utilizing hydrogels for creating neovaginas to assist in male to female bottom gender reassignment surgery. Outside of the lab, Steven’s hobbies include cooking new recipes around the world, playing competitive online games, spending time with family, and listening to music.

stevenvo46@gmail.com

Gilda Naraghi

Gilda is a third-year Biochemistry student with an interest in the intersection between polymers, nanoparticles, and regenerative medicine. She is planning to pursue a career in plastic and restorative surgery and is interested in increasing accessibility of healthcare to underprivileged communities. In her free time, she enjoys learning languages, tutoring kids, and photography.

gildanaraghi@g.ucla.edu

Namdar Pouradib

I am a third-year undergraduate at UCLA studying neuroscience. I am interested in tissue regeneration, particularly neuro-regenerative materials, and I am pursuing a career in healthcare and medical research. Outside an academic setting, I love rock climbing, cooking, and watching old sitcoms.

namdar23@g.ucla.edu

MOHID FAWAD

Mohid Fawad is a 4th year MCDB student researcher supervised under Dr. Tess. His interests are in the overlap between engineering and molecular biology that can help solve many medical related problems using both aspects and fields

mohid23@g.ucla.edu

Tehzeeb Siddiqui

Tehzeeb is a fourth-year Human Biology and Society major from Hayward, California, pursuing a career in medicine. She is currently working with Fang and is interested in the ongoing applications of bioadhesive materials and technologies that can be applied for medical use. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, baking and reading.

tehzeeb@g.ucla.edu

EMILY XU

Yutong (Emily) is a second-year MIMG student at UCLA interested in extracellular vesicles and optical diseases. She is mentored by Jim and is excited to explore how bioengineering can transform medicine. Outside the lab, she enjoys exploring new topics and getting good desserts.

ex28@g.ucla.edu

BENJAMIN AHDOOT

BENJAMIN is a sophomore undergraduate student at UCLA, majoring in Biology with pre medical aspirations. He is interested in bio printing, micro fabrication, and micro needle projects. He works with Fang to create more conductivity in hydrogels, forming scar tissue in the heart to rebuild the connection with biomaterial and hydrogels to reduce inflammation.

benahdoot77@g.ucla.edu

SJ LIM

SJ is a third-year undergraduate at UCLA pursuing Chemical Engineering with a background in neuroscience. She works under Jesse and is currently engineering ionically conductive GelMA microgel scaffolds for nerve conduit applications, investigating BioIL surface modifications and complex coacervation techniques to optimize hydrogel properties for controlled drug delivery. She is interested in biomaterials engineering and biomedical applications of polymer chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking, and watching movies.

slim1015@g.ucla.edu

Mihir Gadre

Mihir is a first-year student currently studying biophysics. He is interested in biomaterials and their various applications in medicine, from drug delivery to regenerative medicine. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, baking, and playing sports.

mihirgadre07@g.ucla.edu

Madeleine Tsoi

madeleinetsoi@g.ucla.edu

EMRE GURDAL

My name is Emre, and I’m a sophomore Bioengineering major at UCLA. I am from Istanbul,Turkey, and I want to pursue a career in biomedical research that translates into clinical applications. My research interests include bioprinting, microfabrication, and tissue engineering for surgical reconstruction. I’m especially interested in how engineered biomaterials can replicate tissue function and improve clinical outcomes. Outside of academics, I enjoy writing about music, sailing, and exploring new places whenever I have the chance.

emregurdal55@g.ucla.edu

LUCAS LOPEZ 

Lucas is a fourth-year Bio-Chemistry student interested in studying the development of technologies with surgical integration. He is applying to medical school and is currently working with Yuting on cardiac-based research focused on developing pacemakers with greater tissue integration. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, fishing, and running different national park trails.

togetlucas@g.ucla.edu

AYA SULEIMAN

Aya is a second-year bioengineering student interested in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and innovative therapeutic technologies. She is currently involved in 3D bioprinting research for cardiac tissue engineering applications. Outside the lab, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and experimenting with new baking recipes.

ayasul48@g.ucla.edu

POE MYAT HAY THAR

Poe Myat is a Chemical Engineering undergraduate at UCLA interested in drug delivery systems, vaccine technologies, and sustainable battery production for cleaner energy. She is currently working with the Annabi Lab, contributing to literature review and experimental design for hydrogel-based ocular drug delivery systems aimed at improving drug retention and effectiveness. In her free time, she enjoys making music, creative projects, and exploring new coffee and tea spots.

poemyathaythar@g.ucla.edu

CARLEY KUBLER

Carley is a third-year MIMG student interested in understanding immune responses and developing drug delivery systems to improve the treatment of disease. Outside of the lab, she enjoys sewing, swimming, and listening to music.

carleykub@g.ucla.edu

Postdocs
Yuting Zheng, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Tess De Maeseneer, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Arpita Roy, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Yavuz Oz, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Rizwan Subhani, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Avijit Baidya, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Mahsa Ghovvati, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Reza Moonesirad, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Jharana Dhal, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Shima Gholizadeh, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Roberto Portillo Lara, Postdoctoral Fellow, Monterey Tech University (Mexico)
Iman Noshadi, Postdoctoral Scholar, Northeastern University

PhD

Marian Olewine,  PhD, transferred to another PI in medical school
Joyce Huang, PhD, graduated from UCLA
Yuting Zheng, PhD, graduated from UCLA
Saumya Jain, PhD, graduated from UCLA
Hossein Montazerian, PhD, graduated from UCLA
Jonathan Soucy, PhD Student, graduated from Northeastern University
Ehsan Shirzaei Sani, PhD Student, graduated at UCLA
Brian Walker, PhD Student, graduated from UCLA
Andrew Spencer, PhD Student, graduated at Northeastern University
Ebrahim Mostafavi, PhD Student, Northeastern University (transferred to another PI after my move to UCLA)
Bahram Saleh, PhD Student, Northeastern University (transferred to another PI after my move to UCLA)

MS

Tiffany Jean, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Gayatri Patel, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Zhonghong Kong, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Nanditaa Balachander, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Yimin Gu, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Annabella Budiman, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Albert Lee, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Yadi Huo, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Saumya Jain, MS student, graduated at UCLA, Transferred to PhD
Hamed Nilchi, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Daniel Booth, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Sevana Baghdasarian, MS student, graduated at UCLA
Gokberk Unal, Master’s Student, graduated at UCLA
Yangcheng Liu, M.S. Student, graduated at UCLA
Chen Xi, M.S Student, graduated at UCLA
Brijesh Hirani, Master Student, graduated at Northeastern University
Zheng Cao, Master Student, graduated at Northeastern University
Devyesh Rana, Master Student, graduated at Northeastern University
Jinzhao Fu, Master Student, graduated at Northeastern University

Visiting

Daren Zhou, Visitinig PhD student, University of Syndney, Australia.
Sabooh-ul-Ain, Visiting PhD student, Bahudin Zakirya University Multan, Pakistan.
Zijian Zhong, Visiting Master student, Johns Hopkins University
Mahtab Bayani, Visiting MD, Internal Medicine Residency, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (Iran)
Azadeh Mostafavi, Visiting PhD student, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Pradeep Sharma, Visiting Scholar, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India
Mustafa Nakipoglu, Visiting Scholar, Middle East Technical University (Turkey)
Senne Seneca, Visiting Scholar, University of Hasselt (Belgium)
Marianna Cosentino, Visiting Scholar, University of Rome (Italy)
Sinziana Popescu, Visiting Scholar, Romanian Academy (Romania)
Islam Khalil, Visiting Scholar, University for Science and Technology (Egypt)
Abolfazl Akbarzadeh, Visiting Professor, Tabriz University (Iran)
Jakub Erben, Visiting PhD Student, Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic)
Dina Mohsen, Visiting Master Student, The American University of Cairo (Egypt)
Nooshin Zandi, Visiting PhD Student, Sharif University (Iran)
Gustavo Hernánde, Visiting PhD student, Monterey Tech University (Mexico)
Paula Rodrigues Moraes, Visiting PhD Student, Sao Paulo University (Brazil)
Eulalie Leroux, Visiting Undergraduate Student, University Paris Descartes, (France)
Benjamin Houang, Visiting Master Student, Grenoble (France)
Soundarapandian Kannan, Visiting Professor, Periyar University (India)
Mingzhi Dai, Visiting Professor, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (China)
Mohammad Fares, Visiting Professor, Jordan University of Science and Technology (Jordan)
David Villiard, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Bastien Delaly, Visiting Master Student, Northeastern University
Nicholas Duva, Visiting Undergraduate Research Assistant, Northeastern University
Rhayza Oliveira, Visiting Undergraduate Research Assistant, Federal University of Sao Carlos (Brazil)
Mohammad Reza Aziziyan, Visiting PhD student, University of Sherbrooke (Canada)
Jamal Ashrafi, Visiting PhD Student, Tehran University (Iran)

Research Assistant
George Ou, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Jonathan Britton, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Giacomo Berti, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Anusha Lingampally, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
PATRICIA OCHOA, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
ISABEL LIN, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Alisha Bhat, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Elizabeth Han, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
GIANNA NGO, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Jun Moon, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Rayane Koubaa, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Jacob pearl, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Shivani Kottantharayil, Undergraduate Student, University of Washington, Seattle
Sophia Lopez, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Edrees Mahmood, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Enza Nikolic, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Cindy Wang, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Ketan Yadav, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Cristopher Navarro, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Iris Qi, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Ethan Mai, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Lakshmi Mohan, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Chu-Hsiang Yu, Research Assistant, Brandeis University Undergraduate
Raha Jajali, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Heather Griffiths, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Cathy Lu, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Diya Kapur, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Nina Ofitserova, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Shea Zenker, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Lorin Danielsen, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Thomas Ho, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Esha Sharma, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Kaimana Lum, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Karina Bender, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Boyi Wang, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Edrees Mahmood, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Steven Vo, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Jose Chevalier, Undergraduate, UCLA
Emily Dunn, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Shameek Mitra, Undergraduate Student, UCLA
Mitchell Nguyen, Undergraduate, UCLA
Hojin Choi, Undergraduate, UCLA
Jessii Chun, Undergraduate, UCLA
Nicole Prusty, Undergraduate, UCLA
Yizhen Guan (Yvonne), Undergraduate, UCLA
Gabriela Djuhadi, Undergraduate, UCLA
Ashley Dickman, Undergraduate, UCLA
Ziqing Wang, Undergraduate, Central South University China (China)
Brenden Lee, Undergraduate, UCLA
Andrea Winslow, Undergraduate, UCLA
Hailey Konisky, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Shannon Joyce, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Jaiden Cruger, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Spencer Lake Jacobs-Skolik, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Shashank Madhu, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Bradley Priem, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Divya Vijayakumar, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Amy Sevigny, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
William Kimball, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Navin Jayaswal, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Asel Primbetova, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Jessie Gifford, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Amanda Bretti, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Fayez Ghazi, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Sophia Maciel, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Andi Shehu, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Jennifer Silva, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
David Villiard, Undergraduate Student, Northeastern University
Lauren Tips, Undergraduate, Northeastern University
Wendy Yu, Undergraduate, Vanderbilt University
Hannah McFetridge, Undergraduate, Cornell University
Nayara Gomes, Undergraduate, New Mexico State University (Brazil)
Felipe Dias, Undergraduate, New Mexico State University (Brazil)