Our lab brings together physicians, postdoctoral scientists, and specialists working on lung transplant biology.
Marian Poley, MD
Clinical Instructor
I am a pulmonary and critical care physician-scientist, having recently completed my fellowship here at UCSF and joined the Lung Transplant Research group in 2025. My research interests include clinical and translational aspects of the mechanisms driving primary graft dysfunction, understanding the underlying risk factors such as donor derived infections that drive clinical outcomes of acute lung injury in critically ill patients through biomarker discovery. Outside of the lab, I love exploring San Francisco with my husband and friends, art and photography, gardening, cuddling my cat, and travel.
Annika Schmidt, MD
Postdoctoral scholar
I have been fascinated with transplant surgeries ever since medical school, and joined the lab as a postdoc after earning my medical degree in Germany. My research focuses on immune profiling of natural killer cell, T cell, and macrophage biology in acute lung allograft dysfunction and cytomegalovirus infection, using high-parameter spectral flow cytometry. Outside of work, you can catch me biking or running in one of San Francisco's gorgeous parks, finding excuses to dress up in fun costumes, traveling to new places, tending to my numerous house plants and craft projects, or pursuing vegan cooking experiments for the 12-person intentional community house I call home.
Rashmi Prava Mohanty, PhD
Associate Specialist
I am a Senior Genomics Researcher specializing in genomic assay development, bridging wet-lab NGS and dry-lab bioinformatics to drive biomarker discovery. Currently, I am working on building the pipeline for diagnostic assay development. Aside from my lab research, my biggest passions are cooking international cuisines, traveling, hiking, and Indian classical music.
Bhavya Kapse, PhD
Postdoctoral scholar
I completed my BTech and MTech in biotechnology at IIT Kharagpur and a PhD in parasite immunology at Freie Universität Berlin. I am currently investigating airway epithelial p53 signaling in chronic lung allograft dysfunction. I like exploring restaurants and eateries outside of lab.
Natalie Mosqueda, PhD
Postdoctoral scholar
I graduated with a BS in biology from the University of Oregon in 2018 and earned my PhD in molecular and cell biology from Stony Brook University in 2025, where I discovered a novel role for palmitoylated importin alpha in cilia biology using Xenopus and human cell lines. I currently study the role of natural killer cells in acute lung injury, using a clinically relevant mouse model for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Outside the lab I enjoy going on hikes, trying out new bakeries around San Francisco, and spending time with friends and family.
Will Siegel
Assistant specialist
Hi, I'm Will. I got my BS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where I studied biology, and worked in biotech after graduating. In the lab I work on a number of different projects, including point-of-care testing in lung transplants, T cell repertoire characterization, and helping to make sure the lab and its research run smoothly. Outside of lab I enjoy spending time with my cat, pottery, getting outdoors, and the restaurant chain Chili's.
Selin Flor
Junior specialist
After growing up in Seal Beach, California, I moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, where I recently graduated with a degree in bioengineering. In the lab, I am investigating the role of interferon signaling in airway epithelial cells in the development of acute lung allograft dysfunction. Outside the lab, I enjoy ceramics, running, and spending time outdoors.
Aran Sandhu
Junior specialist
I completed my BS in pharmacology at UC Santa Barbara, with a minor in mechanical engineering. In the lab, I am using single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate cell signaling that promotes the onset of chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Outside of the lab, I enjoy racing cars, tinkering, and Dobermans.