People
Kelsey H. Collins, PhD
Principal Investigator
Kelsey H. Collins (she/her) completed her undergraduate work in Exercise Biology at University of California, Davis, and earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at University of Calgary. During her postdoctoral studies at Washington University in St. Louis, she created a tissue engineering and regenerative medicine platform to determine the signaling mechanisms between adipose and musculoskeletal tissues. For this work, she received the New Investigator Recognition Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society in 2020, was named among the inaugural class of Rising Stars in Engineering in Health by Columbia University in 2020, and received the Orthoregeneration award from the Orthoregeneration Network (ON) Foundation in 2023. Her transition to independence at UCSF was supported by an NIH NIAMS K99/R00 Award. Dr. Collins was recently included in the 2023 cohort of the Arthritis National Research Foundation for her work on novel therapeutic strategies for joint disease that facilitate healthy aging, maintain function to maximize health span, and minimize pain. Currently, she serves as the Associate Member-at-Large for the Orthopaedic Research Society Executive Board. In her spare time, Dr. Collins enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Northern California on foot, a bike, or a paddleboard with her husband.
Megha Aepala, BA
Medical Student
Megha (she/her) is a second-year medical student at UCSF. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego, where she majored in Neurobiology. During her undergrad, she served as a researcher in the Donoghue lab, investigating residues and domains important for the dimerization of the oncogenic fusion protein SQSTM1-NTRK1. More recently, Megha worked as a scribe at Golden State Orthopedics, where she worked under a total joint surgeon. This experience allowed her to observe the challenges faced by patients with obesity undergoing TJA, sparking her interest in addressing modifiable risk factors to improve surgical outcomes. In the Collins Lab, Megha hopes to explore the interplay between pain, fat-lipid signaling, and osteoarthritis to uncover how metabolic and inflammatory processes drive joint degeneration, which can help improve pain management strategies in patients and enhance quality of life. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, weightlifting, cooking, and going to the beach.
Bethany Andoko, BA
Junior Specialist
Beth (she/they) received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. In the Collins Lab, she is excited to apply behavioral assays, histology, and multi-omic profiling, and leverage other novel techniques to uncover the mechanisms of OA pain and its sexual dimorphic control, particularly in the context of aging and obesity. Her work aims to identify circulating factors that may inform future therapeutic interventions for OA. She is also a UCSF PROPEL Scholar, an Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Social Media Committee Member, and is enthusiastic about seeking further mentorship and networking opportunities in preparation for graduate school. Outside of the lab, Beth enjoys music, pop culture, television, musicals, sudoku, reading, writing, and exploring the Bay Area with friends.
Mahima Choudhury, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Mahima (she/her) earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, where her research focused on identifying the relationships between the expression of transcription factor proteins during osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. To address this question, she utilized both computational techniques, such as Machine Learning, as well as experimental techniques, such as synthetic biology. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her undergraduate degree at the Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata in India. She is being co-advised by both Dr. Collins and Dr. Hernandez for her postdoctoral journey, during which she will explore the effects of gut microbiome manipulation on osteoarthritis. She is especially passionate about merging the fields of synthetic biology and microbiome to develop effective therapeutics for treating osteoarthritis in patients. Outside of the lab, Mahima enjoys exploring the city and trying out new activities, cooking, and crafting.
Naomi Cinque, BS
Graduate Student
Naomi (she/her) is a second-year PhD student in the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (DSCB) program. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. Her passion for research was sparked during her clinical research internship (RESURG) after observing the many debilitating yet uncurable diseases that patients face. Motivated to uncover targetable molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, she then joined Dr. Mark Huising’s lab as an undergraduate researcher to investigate the molecular foundations of diabetes, focusing on cellular signaling and communication within pancreatic islets. After graduating, she continued in the Huising lab as a Junior Specialist, where she studied the regulation of glucagon secretion by pancreatic alpha cells and the role of GPR120/FFAR4 signaling. Now in the Collins lab, she aims to leverage her experience in studying cellular crosstalk. She is especially excited about working with an interdisciplinary team to contextualize the whole-body pathology of osteoarthritis and employ stem cell-based therapeutic strategies. Outside the lab, she enjoys staying active (hiking, rock climbing and biking), cafe hopping, exploring cities, and making clay figurines.
Katherine De Leon Garcia
Undergraduate Intern
Katherine (she/her) is an undergraduate student at San Francisco State University pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Physiology and a minor in Chemistry. She is an NIH U-RISE/Genentech Scholar and part of the SEO Scholars Program. Her most recent research in the E-Lab (SFSU) focused on exploring alternative methods to microinjection for the introduction of foreign materials into Stentor coeruleus. Katherine is excited to expand her scientific experience through her internship in the Collins Lab, where she looks forward to learning more about osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal biology. Beyond academics, she has been involved in outreach through the SFSU Women's Center and is an active member of WISE and SACNAS. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring new places, and supporting initiatives that empower women in science.
Kyota Ishibashi, MD, PhD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Kyota (he/him) is a Japanese orthopaedic surgeon at Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine. He completed his MD at Akita University and received board certification in orthopedic surgery after training at several regional hospitals in Japan. He earned his PhD at Hirosaki University, where his research focused on early stage knee osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration using imaging (MRI) and biomarker analysis. Kyota has been deeply involved in translational studies of joint disease, including biomechanics, cellular heterogeneity, and regenerative therapies. His recent work includes single-cell transcriptomics and scaffold-based meniscal repair. Outside of research, Kyota enjoys traveling with his family and playing soccer.
Jooyoung Alec Kim
Undergraduate Intern
Jooyoung (he/him) is an undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Integrative Biology. During the school year, he participates in various clubs supporting the community with free kidney disease clinics, helping seniors combat Alzheimer’s, and creating fun ways to help neurodiverse children learn to communicate. In the Collins Lab, he is eager to gain valuable research experience in osteoarthritis and in the field of orthopedics as well as learn and master techniques such as histology and imaging. Outside of the lab, Jooyoung enjoys playing volleyball, learning to play the ukulele, building legos, and sightseeing.
Celine Ngo, BS
SOD Research Fellow
Celine (she/her) is a third-year Doctor of Dental Surgery student at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. At UCLA, Celine developed her passion for research under the mentorship of Dr. Lawren Sack and Dr. Leila Fletcher, who conducted plant ecophysiology research investigating drought tolerance mechanisms and leaf trait adaptations to various climates. In the SOD, Celine is involved in Community Dental Clinic (CDC), American Student Dental Association (ASDA), California Public Health Association-North, Dental Bridges, and Orthodontics Club. In the Collins Lab, she is eager to build a strong foundation in basic science research, learn more about musculoskeletal crosstalk, and explore her interest in cell-based therapies, which holds exciting implications for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Outside of the lab, Celine enjoys crocheting, spending time with her cat Luna, building Legos, and exploring coffee shops.
Tiffany Pham, BA
Graduate Student
Tiffany (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (DSCB) program. She received her undergraduate degree from Scripps College, majoring in Molecular Biology with a minor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. During her time at Scripps, she engaged in research under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Carpenter at IU Bloomington, investigating the interplay between c-Myc and Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). She also explored paternal genome elimination in Nasonia vitripennis (jewel wasp) while working in the lab of Dr. Patrick Ferree at W.M. Keck Science. In the Collins Lab, she is eager to gain valuable research experience in the field of orthopedics and looks forward to collaborating with both basic science and clinical groups as part of her preparation for medical school. Outside of the lab, Tiffany enjoys reading, participating in competitive hobby jogging, and engaging in various crafts such as embroidery and textile arts.
Sonya Sar
Undergraduate Intern
Sonya (she/her) is an undergraduate student attending UC Berkeley, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology. During the school year, she volunteers with various clubs that focus on public health research initiatives and expanding STEM opportunities to local communities. In the Collins Lab, Sonya is especially interested in working with other like-minded researchers and understanding musculoskeletal crosstalk both from a pathological and therapeutic perspective. Outside the lab, Sonya enjoys going on hikes, trying new coffee recipes, and re-watching her favorite movies.
Elle Truchan, BS
Junior Specialist
Elle (she/her) received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and a minor in Gender Studies. At UCLA, Elle performed research under the mentorship of Dr. Stephanie Correa, PhD, investigating how the integration of metabolic and reproductive signaling to the hypothalamus contributes to physiological tradeoffs in mice. Now in the Collins Lab, Elle is eager to contribute to research examining how osteoarthritis can be used as a disease model to understand the systemic effects of interorgan crosstalk, specifically through the lens of obesity and sexual dimorphism. Outside of the lab, Elle enjoys hiking, trying new coffee shops, window shopping, and going to concerts.
Priscilla Tjandra, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Priscilla (she/her) obtained her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, where her research focused on systemic bone loss following myocardial infarction (MI) in mice models and the role of the sympathetic nervous system and complement system in the phenomena. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her undergraduate degree at Gonzaga University, where she majored in Mechanical Engineering. In the Collins Lab, she is focused on leptin signaling in human tissue. She is especially enthusiastic about cultivating her collaborative skills, particularly in the clinic, and looks forward to the application of cellular-level approaches to scientific problems and their translation into a comprehensive understanding of whole-body pathology. Outside of the lab, Priscilla enjoys engaging in various DIY activities such as crocheting, knitting, sewing, carpentry, painting, and more. She also has a passion for K-Pop and dedicates time to training her dog (and cat, with limited success) new tricks.
Jessica Wagner, PT, DPT
Graduate Student
Jessica (she/her) is a third-year PhD candidate in the Rehabilitation Science program. She holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from San Diego State University where she also worked in the Tuttle lab researching treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. She completed her undergraduate degree at Merrimack College, where she majored in Sports Medicine and minored in Biology, as well as played Division II golf. Prior to pursuing her PhD, she worked as a Physical Therapist at the VA Medical Center in San Diego where she developed a deep interest in investigating the micro and macro mechanics of musculoskeletal diseases, namely osteoarthritis (OA). In the Collins lab, she is interested in utilizing novel technology and multi-omic tissue analysis to investigate the role of the infrapatellar fat pad in knee OA, and relating molecular changes of the tissue to how the patient experiences the disease. Outside of the lab, Jessica enjoys baking, any activity outside (hiking, biking, golfing), and being with her dog, Daisy.
Hope Welhaven, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Hope (she/her) recently earned her PhD in Biochemistry from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT where she conducted research using multi-omic approaches to pinpoint metabolic phenotypes induced by osteoarthritis (OA), identify potential biomarkers, and gain insights into disease-associated mechanisms for intervention purposes. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her undergraduate degree at Carroll College in Helena, MT, where she majored in Health Sciences and Public Health. During this time, she was funded by NASA’s Montana Space Grant Consortium to improve astronaut general and musculoskeletal health and outcomes for space crews before, during, and after space missions, addressing challenges posed by microgravity. In the Collins lab, Hope aims to leverage multi-omic, spatial profiling, and pain measurement tools to explore the intricate relationship between sex hormones and OA, as well as the interplay between aging and OA metabolism. She is especially passionate about advancing research in the emerging field of sex differences in musculoskeletal health and is committed to promoting inclusivity in the field of science and beyond to provide representation for other underrepresented trainees and future scientists/clinicians. Outside of the lab, Hope enjoys spending time outdoors, whether that is running local trails or walking her dog, Stevie. She is also an avid music enthusiast, can play multiple instruments, and loves music trivia.
Former Lab Members
Anelajda Korcari, Undergraduate Intern, 2025
Ciara Cabrera, Undergraduate Intern, 2025
David Carro-Vasquez, Postdoctoral Fellow, 2024-2025
Kristen Chan, Master's Student, 2024-2025
Reyna Villa, Junior Specialist, 2023-2025
Nchegem Nyenke, Undergraduate Intern, 2024-2025
Ryan Selle, Undergraduate Intern, 2024
Emma Nedley, SOD Research Fellow, 2023-2024
Sonia Alazraie, Undergraduate Volunteer, 2024
Evan Sun, Undergraduate Intern, 2023-2024
Silvia Soule, Medical Student Intern, 2023-2024