Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
Biology Department
San Francisco State University
CV Website LinkedIn BlueSky
I am an assistant professor in the Biology Department at my alma mater, San Francisco State University (SFSU). I’m a first-generation college graduate and started my research career supported by NIH-MARC in undergrad, as well as by NIH-RISE in my Master’s work under Dr. Megumi Fuse at SFSU. In the Fuse lab, I studied regenerative responses following x-ray irradiation using Manduca Sexta. I received my Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan in Dr. Peter Hitchcock’s lab, where I was awarded the Rackham Merit Scholarship, the Vision Training grant, and the Society for Neuroscience’s Neuroscience Scholar Program fellowship. My dissertation work defined a role for matrix metalloproteinase 9 and acute inflammation during injury-induced retinal regeneration in the adult zebrafish. I completed my postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in Dr. Anna Molofsky’s lab, where I was bestowed an NIH-IRACDA teaching fellowship and the MOSAIC NIH K99/R00 career award. In the Molofsky lab, I identified synapse-associated microglia in the developing zebrafish brain and investigated the lysosomal protease cathepsin B mediating efferocytosis. Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to teaching and mentorship of trainees while investigating immune mechanisms of injury, regeneration, and development in the central nervous system.
Outside the lab, I like to cook, garden, travel, and spend time with my family and friends.
Graduate Students
I’m a Master’s student in Physiology and Behavioral Biology at San Francisco State University, supported by the Genentech Foundation MS Scholars Program. My interest in science started in high school when I participated in the UCSF Science & Health Education Partnership, where I was introduced to research on microglia and autism during early development in Dr. Eric Huang’s lab at UCSF. I later earned my B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology at SFSU and conducted research through the NIH-U RISE Program in Dr. Zachary Hui He lab. My research focused on RUS1 and vitamin B6 homeostasis in Arabidopsis, where an interesting observation about mutant rescue in soil led me to become interested in how microorganisms might influence plant development and vitamin B6 regulation. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed exploring different areas of biology, and I’m excited to continue developing my research interests in physiology, development, and behavior. Outside of science, I enjoy traveling, hiking, arts and crafts, and spending time with my family and friends.
I am currently a master’s student in the Cell & Molecular Biology program at SFSU. Prior to joining Dr. Silva’s lab, I graduated with my B.S. in Biology from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021 and then spent four years at the Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services working across different areas of microbiology. Following my master’s degree, I’d like to continue doing research in academia or working in R&D at a biotech organization. My interest in biology, particularly genetics, emerged after watching the film Gattaca (1997). I am curious about how advances in molecular biology will shape the future of human potential and society. In my free time, I like watching movies, listening to music, cooking, arts & crafts, and anything wellness related.
Swadeeka and chào! My name is Lindy, and I returned to college to study physiology and studio art, with a minor in philosophy, to broaden my understanding of the brain. As a Genentech scholar, I hope to contribute to reframing pathology and psychosis and to explore how therapeutic approaches and glial science may open new frontiers in resilience and brain health. At SFSU, I help lead the Pre-Physician Assistant Society, assist with our campus art gallery, and continue developing my inpatient art program at my hometown hospital since the pandemic. Above all, I hope to be an advocate for patients in clinical settings while staying engaged in neuroscience research. I enjoy snorkeling, teaching biology students how to paint anatomy, and spending time with my renaissance-dog Chewbacca Da Vinci.
I’m a second year master’s student funded by Genentech fellowship at San Francisco State University studying Cell and Molecular Biology. I completed my undergrad in Biology at San Francisco State University. I previously did a summer internship at the NIH, which motivated me to pursue a career in research. After my masters, I plan to go on to earn a PhD in Neuroscience and work for the National Institutes of Health as a researcher. Outside of school, you can find me hanging out with her sister, playing video games, and sewing.
I graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics. While I was there, I joined the Chanfreau Lab to research splicing errors and the formation of novel splicing constructs in yeast. I have a skillset in graphic design and I like making little designs for myself and my friends, but I also redesigned the Chanfreau Lab website. I joined the Silva Lab in 2025 to look at microglia dysfunction associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. I plan on applying for Ph.D programs following my masters.
I’m a Master’s student in Cell & Molecular Biology at San Francisco State University, supported by the Genentech Foundation MS Scholars Program. Originally from Antioch, California, I earned my B.A. in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley after transferring from Los Medanos College. Before graduate school, I worked at Genentech developing bioanalytical assays to support drug development. My goal is to teach biology at the community college level. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my wife and children, taking my hound dogs to the river, and building things with my hands.
Undergraduate Students
I am a junior and SEO U-RISE Scholar at San Francisco State University, majoring in the concentration of Cell and Molecular Biology. I plan to obtain a Ph.D. within the field of neuroscience and continue exploring the complexities of the brain! Alongside my academics I enjoy listening to music, exploring nature, cooking, shopping, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Hi my name is Erin Sanders Im a graduating senior class of 2027 majoring in Cell & Molecular Biology with a Minor in Holistic Health and Chemistry. I’m from Southern California and moved to the Bay for school and absolutely love it. I enjoy outdoorsy activities like hiking and swimming, anything craft related like scrapbooking and painting on clothes. My favorite animal is a leopard and I continue that feline love with my two cats at home Casada and Jefferey who are both named after rappers. I love animals in generally and enjoy the National Geographic channel. I would like to use my degree upon gradaution to study Neuroscience specifically Neurodegenerative diseases and expand my education into obtaining a Masters and PhD and possibly MD.
I’m a thrid year majoring in Physiology and Public Health, minoring in Feminist Health Justice, and pursuing certificates in Global Health and Multilingual + Public Health Competencies here at SFSU. My passion for research stems from my experience in the Honors’ Transfer Program at Skyline, where I completed two literature review projects on neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) in women of color across Latin America and multilingualism + the cognitive reserve theory in relation to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), eventually presenting my project on NPSLE at uSOAR in 2025. I work part-time with children with autism as an RBT, volunteer for Hearts for the Homeless and as Health Advocate at ZSFG through UCSF and am a Co-Executive Researcher for Letters for Health. I am planning to pursue an MD-PhD in neuroscience and a career as a Pediatric Neurosurgeon.
I grew up in the central-west of Brazil, and my passion for biology and medicine arose during high school through my participation in the Health Academy. This early exposure deepened my curiosity about the biological mechanisms underlying health and disease. I’m a current CIRM COMPASS IPSCS scholar at San Francisco State University (SFSU). My short-term goal is to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biology from SFSU by Fall 2026, complemented by a minor in Chemistry. In the long term, I intend to pursue an MD and PhD in Cancer Biology. Outside of academia, I cherish spending time with family and friends, and I love traveling.
I am a second-year student at San Francisco State University majoring in Biology with a concentration in Physiology. I’m a current CIRM COMPASS IPSCS scholar and AMGEN Yale summer fellow. I am also double minoring in Chemistry and Computing Applications. I plan to obtain an MD and later focus on neurosciences. I was born and raised in San Francisco, but I am half Honduran and half Mexican, so I love traveling back as often as I can. In my free time I love going on hikes, camping, and trying new restaurants with my friends. I also own a bunny named Nova.
I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and have since decided to transition into dentistry. To fulfill dental school prerequisites, I began attending San Francisco State University as an Open University student. Outside of academics, I spend my time sewing, knitting, baking, and working as a nail artist. I aspire to use my manual dexterity to help improve each individual patient’s oral health, as I believe that dental care is a cornerstone of overall human health
I am a freshman and Genentech scholar at San Francisco State University majoring in Biology with a concentration in Physiology. I aspire to earn my MD-PhD and pursue a career in neuroscience. Outside of school, I love to play/watch sports, explore nature, and eat delicious food! A fun fact about me is I have over 20 pets!
