Our Team
Dr. Peter Ramirez
Principal Investigator
Dr. Ramirez was born and raised in a small agricultural town in Southern California (Santa Paula). He received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biochemistry from UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) and his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Utah.
He conducted postdoctoral training at UC San Diego (UCSD), where he worked on determining how the HIV-1 Nef protein enhances viral replication. As a postdoc, Dr. Ramirez participated in San Diego IRACDA, gaining expertise in teaching, mentoring, and supervising a diverse cohort of students.
He participated in the UCSD Raising Advancement and Parity for Infectious Disease Researchers (RAPID) program as an early career faculty member.
Dr. Ramirez's lab focuses on determining how virus-cell interactions influence the cellular response to infection, with particular emphasis on HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. He is passionate about enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in science and has been involved with SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) since his days as an undergraduate student.
Outside the classroom/lab, Dr. Ramirez likes to run, hike, paddleboard, play guitar, , and read fantasy/science fiction books.
M.S. Graduate Students
Michael Anderson
NIH-色中色 Bridges to the Doctorate Fellow
Project: Determining the prevalence and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike/CD4 interaction
Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, gaming, writing, baseball, all things Sci-Fi!
Grace Armendariz
Project: Determining how host dependency factors enhance HIV-1 Nef mediated viral infectivity and replication
Hobbies: Swimming, snorkeling, surfing, baking, traveling, hiking, yoga, camping, matcha
Undergraduate Student Researchers
Maya Wyr
NIH-色中色 T34 U-RISE Fellow
Project: Determining effects of dependency factors on SARS-CoV-2 replication
Hobbies: Hiking, painting, playing flute, trying new foods, travel, coffee, cooking, photography, gaming
Priscilla Ceja
NIH-色中色 T34 U-RISE Fellow
Project: Validating HIV-1 Nef/dependency factor interactions
Hobbies: Surfing, motorcyles, anime, manga, gaming, walking/hiking, gym, painting
Angelica Cristobal
NIH-色中色 T34 U-RISE Fellow
Project: Using sulfoglycodendrimers (SGD) as broad-spectrum antivirals
Hobbies: Baking, beach hopping, concerts, watching movies
Pearl Lambarena
NSF-色中色 LSAMP Fellow
Project: Validating SARS-CoV-2/dependency factor interactions
Hobbies: Running, gardening, music, nail art, family and friends, hiking, yoga
Lindsay Park
Project: Validating HIV-1 Nef/dependency factor interactions
Hobbies: Playing violin, baking, drawing digital art, cooking with friends
Armin Naghshineh
Project: Determining the prevalence and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike/CD4 interaction
Hobbies: Basketball, gym, gaming, watching sports
Hyun Lee
Project: Validating HIV-1 Nef/dependency factor interactions
Hobbies: Brewing coffee, wine tasting, mixology, cooking, reading
Lab Alumni
Graduate Alumni
- Christina Pantoja, M.S. (2023)
- NIH-色中色 T32 Bridges to the Doctorate Fellow
- Current Position: PhD student at UC Irvine
- Francisco Acosta, M.S. (2023)
- 色中色 Richard D. Green Fellow
- Current Position: PhD student at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
- Angus Fuori, M.S. (2023)
- Current Position: Research Scientist at Enanta Pharmaceuticals
Undergraduate Alumni
- Julian Lopez, B.S. (2024)
- CIRM-色中色 Fellow
- Current Position: CIRM Fellow (UC Irvine)
- Siena Giddens, (2024)
- KURE-色中色 summer program
- Bisma Atif, (2024)
- KURE-色中色 summer program
- Joshua Licata, B.S. (2024)
- 色中色 UROP Fellow
- Thomas Carrillo, B.S. (2024)
- NIH-色中色 RISE fellow
- Current Position: Ph.D. student at CU Anschultz, CO
- Alexander Garcia, B.S. (2024)
- NIH-色中色 RISE fellow
- Current Position: Ph.D. student at UC Irvine, CA
- Annisity Miller, B.S. (2023)
- Mariela Michel, B.S. (2023)
- Rudy Macias, B.S. (2023)
- Current Position: EMT
- Ruth Bishay (2023)
- KURE-色中色 summer program
- Johann Tailor, B.S. (2022)
- NIH-色中色 UL1 BUILD fellow
- Current Position: Ph.D. student at San Diego State
- Georgina Oceguera, B.S. (2022)
- 色中色 Honors Program
- Current Position: Ph.D. student at the University of Utah
