LAURA GALVAN
2nd Year Master Student
Laura is from Hollister, CA. She attend community college at Gavilan College, where she earned her associate’s degree in Biology. Laura then transferred to SF State in 2021, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Cell & Molecular Biology in 2023. When she’s not in the lab, Laura can be found sailing, backpacking, fishing, and traveling.
MIKESHA CARTER
2nd Year Master Student
Mikesha is originally from the San Francisco Baya Area, born in Oakland, CA. As a first-generation college student, she received an A.S. in Biology from Berkeley City College in 2021. In 2023, she attained a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Physiology from SFSU. Outside of the lab, Mikesha is a member of PAIR-UP and BE-STEM. In her free time, she enjoys art and bowling.
STEPHANIE UZORDINMA AWUZIE
2nd Year Master Student
Uzor first began in the Riggs Lab in Fall 2022 as a VIR Biotechnology SEO Scholar and later that year earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from SF State. She went on to pursue a Masters degree under the Cell and Molecular Biology Program as a Bristol Myers Squibb Research Fellow. Uzor’s loves crafting in her free time, her favorite activities include crocheting and sewing!
NINA NICOLE MARCELO
1st Year Master Student
Nina is from San Mateo, CA. She earned her associates degree in Allied Health from Skyline College. She is currently pursuing bachelors degree in Physiology. When Nina is not in the lab, she can be found cooking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her loved ones.
MADISON CUARON-RAUB
1st Year Master Student
Madison grew up in southern California in a city called Montclair. She attended Mount San Antonio Community College, where she earned her associate’s degree in Natural Sciences. Madison transferred to SF State in 2022, where she earned her bachelors in Cell and Molecular Biology with minors in Sociology and Chemistry in 2024. When she’s not in the lab, Madison can be found painting, bowling, trying new food spots, or relaxing on the beach.
FRANK WU
1st Year Master Student
HELEDANE WOLDESELASIE
1st Year Master Student
MARIA LOURDES MENDOZA ARAGON
Undergraduate Researcher
LEILANI CONTRERAS
Undergraduate Researcher
VICTOR KNOWLES
Undergraduate Researcher
LIAM KENNEDY-MOORE
Undergraduate Researcher
ANGIE DEL BARCO
Undergraduate Researcher
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RIGGS LAB MEMBERS
FORMER LAB MEMBERS
JUDY
Judy Abuel (University of CA, Davis)
I'frica Norman (U of Missouri)
Gerson Ascencio (Stanford University)
Jessica Paz (CCSF Staff)
Grace Gundy (University of CA, Berkley)
Marco Monroy PhD. (Stanford University)
Alyssa Jimenez
Tj Lu (Stanford Postbac)
Lela Legessee (UT Southwestern)
Ariana Nagainis (U of Washington)
Beatriz Alvarado (Fluidigm)
Zane Bergman (Post doc)
Shamim Butt (SFSU)
Arthur Chase (Cairn Biosciences)
Rachel Coombs (U of Pitt)
Anthony Eritano Ph.D. (Kobe University)
Deena Hassanein (Counsyl)
Brittany Johnson (UT Southwestern)
Rabab Khadory (Saudi Arabia)
Tina Lam
Justin McLaurin, Ph.D. (UCSF)
Sumitra Nadarajah (Biomarin)
Nick Perotti (Stanford)
Sarah Richardson (SFSU)
David Ruvalcaba (UCB)
Amanda Sims (Roche)
Luis Soto (Stanford)
Emmanuel Valenciano (ELIM)
Tserendavaa “David” Mendsaikhan
Katharine Eichelberger
Arturo Altamirano (UC San Diego)
Hannah Aarons
Sarah Beyeler (U of Oregon)
Coohleen Coombs (CCSF)
Ulises Diaz (UCSF)
Michelle Gbendio (UCSF)
Norma Gaytan
Elliott Holt
Torey Jacques (SFSU instructor)
Ryan Kyger (U of Nevada Reno)
Khanh Le
Gerid Ollison (USC)
Jose Ortega (Novodiax Inc)
Alma Peraza (UC Davis)
Alia Edington (UT Southwestern)
Jessica Bolivar (UC Davis)
Ariana Yancy (UC Santa Cruz)
Cecelia Brown (Stanford)
Bethany Morin (CUNY)
Cynnie Tam (UCSF)
Emily Conrad (SFSU)
Nicole Rodrigues (UC Davis)