PhD student in the BMS Program
Joseph is a BMS PhD student in the Aguilar Lab. Joseph was born and raised in East Los Angeles but came up to the Bay Area to receive a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley. In undergrad, he gained research experience in the Kaoru Saijo Lab studying the relationship between copper dyshomeostasis and microglial inflammation. After graduation, Joseph worked as a junior specialist in the Guo Huang Lab at UCSF, as a PROPEL scholar. In this position, he worked on a plethora of projects to study organ regeneration, with an emphasis on the developmental pathways that regulate cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation/proliferation. He then joined the Aguilar Lab in 2025 and is studying the impacts of ITAM-mediated signals in NK cells.
When not in the lab, Joseph enjoys rock climbing, hiking, running around outside, seeing animals (especially his dogs), playing video games, drawing, painting, and engaging in whatever random hobby he is hyperfixated on at the moment.
When not in the lab, Joseph enjoys rock climbing, hiking, running around outside, seeing animals (especially his dogs), playing video games, drawing, painting, and engaging in whatever random hobby he is hyperfixated on at the moment.