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. 

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Malik Alhadi, BA

Medical Student Intern

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Bethany Andoko, BA

Graduate Student

Beth (she/they) is a first-year PhD student in the UC Berkeley–UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in Molecular and Cell Biology. In the Collins Lab, she is excited to apply behavioral assays, histology, and multi-omic profiling, and leverage novel tools to delineate the mechanisms underlying osteoarthritis (OA) pain and its sexual dimorphic control, particularly in the contexts of aging and obesity. Their research aims to identify circulating factors that may serve as first-in-class therapeutic targets, ultimately informing future interventions for OA pain. Passionate about scientific communication and outreach, Beth previously served on the UCSF PROPEL Scholars' Council. Currently, they serve on the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Social Media Committee. They are enthusiastic about presenting their research and pursuing opportunities to expand their scientific expertise and network. Outside the lab, Beth is excited about all things pop culture and Broadway, and enjoys spending time with friends indoors.

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Isabel Cho, BS

CIRM Research Intern

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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. 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.

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Katherine De Leon Garcia

Undergraduate Student 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 a 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.

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Gabrielle Gilmer, MD, PhD

Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician

Gabrielle Gilmer (she/her) completed her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University and a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She earned her MD and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, where her graduate work focused on understanding the effects of menopause on knee osteoarthritis in a mouse model. She is now an orthopaedic surgery resident at UCSF, where her clinical interests are focused on anatomic surgery of the knee, hip, and pelvis, and her research interests include understanding the effects of sex and gender on orthopaedic diseases, injuries, and outcomes. Outside of the lab and clinic, Dr. Gilmer enjoys practicing yoga, reading, painting, thru-hiking, and being in the sun.

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Samuel Horng

Undergraduate Student Intern

Samuel (he/him) is an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, studying Nutritional Sciences: Physiology & Metabolism and Molecular Environmental Biology. At Berkeley, he is involved in multiple STEM-mentoring programs for young students, organizing KEEN Berkeley events to create inclusive exercise opportunities for youth with disabilities, and working in an orthopedic wellness center where he assists in the rehabilitation of athletes and patients with lower-extremity orthopedic injuries. In the Collins Lab, he is excited to explore the effects of osteoarthritis, gain a deeper understanding of orthopedic research, and valuable hands-on experience in a laboratory setting. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing basketball, spending time with friends, traveling, and exploring new food spots.

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Mohamed Ibrahim

Undergraduate Student Intern

Mohamed (he/him) is an undergraduate student at San Francisco State University, pursuing studies in Community Nutrition and Cell and Molecular Biology. He is a fellow of the CIRM COMPASS program, which provides mentoring, training, and resources for undergraduates interested in regenerative medicine. Mohamed is especially interested in the intersection of nutrition, public health, obesity-related disease, and stem cell research. In the Collins lab, he hopes to apply principles of regenerative medicine to help advance research on cell-based therapies for musculoskeletal disease. Outside the lab, Mohamed enjoys playing bass guitar with his band and performing around the Bay Area.

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Jooyoung Alec Kim

Undergraduate Student 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.

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Erica Maissy, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Erica (she/her) earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego, where her research focused on engineering the gut microbiome to modulate metabolic, reproductive, and cognitive health using in vivo and multi-omic approaches. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her undergraduate training in biomedical engineering and neuroscience at the University of South Carolina. As a postdoctoral researcher, she is co-mentored by Dr. Collins and Dr. Hernandez to investigate gut–joint crosstalk in osteoarthritis, with a focus on how microbiome-derived metabolites shape inflammation and pain across sex differences and aging. She is especially enthusiastic about mechanistic, collaborative science that bridges preclinical models with meaningful translational impact. Outside of the lab, Erica enjoys rock climbing, dancing, ceramics, and exploring the city’s nature with her dog, Franklin.

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Mahika Reddy

Undergraduate Student Intern

Mahika (she/her) is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, studying Microbial Biology. At Berkeley, she is involved in science outreach programs and aims to foster an interest in science, especially microbiology, in both kids and adults. In the Collins lab, she is interested in the effects and mechanisms of how the microbiome can influence osteoarthritis development. Outside of the lab, Mahika enjoys making coffee, reading, and watching sitcoms.

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Sonya Sar

Undergraduate Student Intern

Mansi Shah, BS

School of Dentistry Research Fellow

Mansi (she/her) is a second-year dental student at UCSF. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she majored in Neurobiology and Psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked in a psychology research lab, gaining experience in study design and data analysis, and is excited to expand her research skillset through hands-on wet lab experience at UCSF. In the Collins lab, Mansi is eager to better understand the breakdown of interorgan communication in chronic disease and aging, and how systemic contributors such as adipose tissue and circulating factors drive osteoarthritis pathology. She is particularly interested in developing skills in histological analysis to study structural and cellular changes within musculoskeletal tissues. Outside of the lab, Mansi enjoys exploring the city, cooking, and hiking.

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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.

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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, investigating how the integration of metabolic and reproductive signaling to the hypothalamus contributes to physiological tradeoffs in mice. Now working as a Junior Specialist 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 dimorphisms. Outside of the lab, Elle enjoys hiking, trying new coffee shops, window shopping, and going to concerts.

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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.

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