People

Principal Investigator

Ben Rubin, Ph.D.

Ben leads the Rubin Lab's work developing generalizable tools for editing the genomes of microbes within their native communities. The lab pairs metagenomics with AI-driven sequence design and CRISPR-Cas tools to read and rewrite microbiome function, and works with collaborators to apply these community editing tools across diverse systems — including human guts, cow rumens, and plant roots. Ben is also a co-founder of the non-profit Science Corps and, when not in the lab, tries to spend as much time in the Pacific Ocean as possible.

Postdoctoral Associates

Jon Martinson, Ph.D.

jmartinson@berkeley.edu

Jonathan received his PhD in Microbiology at Montana State University in Seth Walk's laboratory where he researched the temporal dynamics of the human gut microbiome with a specific focus on the Enterobacteriaceae. Following his PhD, he joined Will Harcombe's lab at the University of Minnesota where he investigated how ecological interactions impacted gene fitness using synthetic model microbiomes. In the Rubin Lab, Jon will work to understand how microbial genes exacerbate Inflammatory Bowel Disease using microbiome editing techniques. In his free time, Jon enjoys hiking, reading, making terrible electronic music, and coffee.

Lindsey Pieper, Ph.D.

lindsey.pieper@berkeley.edu

Lindsey earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UCSF in 2023 where she investigated environmental factors impacting gut microbiome driven degradation of azo compounds (e.g. food colorings and IBD drug Sulfasalazine). In the Rubin lab, she will be working with the Audacious team to advance microbiome editing. Specifically she is interested in how to select for edits within a community and how these selection techniques could impact community structure and function as a whole. While not in lab, Lindsey can be found spending time with her dog, horseback riding, or reading a novel.

Bingliang Xie, Ph.D.

Joint with Ronda Lab
bingliangxie@berkeley.edu

Bingliang Xie received a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2023, where he developed gene-targeted methods to cultivate obligate epibiotic bacteria (Candidate Phyla Radiation bacteria) and revealed how interesting CPR can be when interacting with and infecting other microbes as a small parasite. In the Rubin Lab, he contributes to positive metabolic selection projects and is interested in delivering genetic editing tools using various naturally occurring appendages. Outside the lab, Bingliang enjoys coffee, Shostakovich, and running long distances.

Kuang Hu, Ph.D.

kh36969@berkeley.edu

Kuang is a postdoctoral researcher in the BIOME initiative at UC Berkeley's Innovative Genomics Institute, working under the mentorship of Ben on discovery of novel RNA-guided editing tools.

Madeline Hayes, Ph.D.

Joint with Cress Lab & O'Malley Lab
mmhayes@berkeley.edu

Madeline Hayes completed her undergraduate studies at Colorado State University in Fort Collins CO where she worked to characterize the lipids of human and animal pathogens. After spending three years in the plant pathology department at UW-Madison, she joined the Microbiology Doctoral Training Program in Dr. Ophelia Venturelli's lab using computational models to predict and design microbial communities for bioprocessing. Madeline is currently working with the Joint Bioenergy Institute to improve microbial lignin degradation for sustainable biofuel and chemical production. She is passionate about sustainability and the outdoors, enjoying hiking, camping, and paddling with her dog, Lily.

Graduate Students

Leo Song

leosong@berkeley.edu

Leo Song received his B.A. in Molecular & Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2022, where he investigated the development of the Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus and worked to deliver therapeutic monobodies into mammalian cell lines via cell permeant miniature proteins. After working as the Lab Manager for two years, Leo has begun his graduate school journey with the Rubin Lab to advance the delivery and efficiency of CRISPR-Tn based editing technologies for diverse microbial communities. During his spare time, Leo can be found drawing, photographing wildlife and nature, or planning his next backpacking or scuba diving trip.

Adrienne Cho

NSF GRFP Fellow
adrienne_cho@berkeley.edu

Adrienne received her B.S. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis, where she worked to characterize the microbiome and metabolome of a cat anal sac. She then moved into a lab managerial position in Celina Juliano’s lab studying regeneration and developmental biology before spending some time in industry working in strain engineering, transcriptomics, and metagenomics. At the Rubin Lab, she is interested in learning about how plasmid ecology informs microbiome editing efforts. When Adrienne isn’t in lab, she enjoys hanging out with her cats, wine tasting, and urban walks.

Staff

Isabel Navarro

Lab Manager
inavarro@berkeley.edu

Isabel is a fourth year undergraduate student studying Molecular Environmental Biology. During her time at UC Berkeley, Isabel has studied plant-pollinator ecology at the Urban Bee Lab and the pathogen community (RNA virus) of CA native bees at the Boots Lab. In the Rubin Lab, she helps keep lab operations running and supports lab members in their projects. In her free time, she loves exploring nature of the Bay Area as the president of the Wildlife Society @ Berkeley.

Jigyasa Arora, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist
jarora@berkeley.edu

Jigyasa received her Ph.D. in Biology from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Okinawa, on the beautiful tropical island of Japan. She bioinformatically examined the host gut microbiome interactions in insects. Statistically, she explored phylogenetic correlations of functional traits, horizontal gene transfers, and co-evolution with the host at evolutionary timescales. In the Rubin Lab, Jigyasa will optimize bioinformatics tools to investigate CRISPR-associated transposons regulation. She will also examine mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and host interactions using machine learning models to inform predictions of unknown proteins or novel functions important for understanding largely unexplored MGEs. In her free time she likes to run and explore the parks of San Francisco with her partner.

Jamie Irvine

AI Advisor
jamieirvine@berkeley.edu

Jamie studied mathematics at UCLA before completing a master's in computer science at Stanford, focusing on machine learning. He brings over a decade of industry experience, including several years at Google, where he worked on advancing ML research and engineering. In the Rubin Lab, Jamie develops AI systems for microbial engineering, with an emphasis on DNA language modeling. Outside the lab, he enjoys Pilates, gaming, and serving as a jungle gym for his three tireless toddlers.

Audrey Glynn, Ph.D.

Senior Program Manager
audrey.glynn@berkeley.edu

Audrey Glynn received a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Tulane University, completed her post-doctoral studies with the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, and entered the programmatic side of research during a 2-year AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship with the Office of Naval Research Global. She went on to work for Strategic Analysis, Inc, through which she provided over 8 years of direct support to the DARPA Biological Technologies Office, helping to de-risk and bring novel medical countermeasures to the clinic. Since joining the IGI in late 2021, Audrey provides programmatic and strategic support across multiple IGI projects, including BIOME, the Affordability Task Force, and the Sickle Cell Initiative. When not supporting BiomeForge and other IGI activities, Audrey can be found in the yoga studio, in the kitchen whipping up vegan cuisine, or anywhere reading a good book and sipping a glass of rosé.

Rachel K. Evans, D.Mus.

Executive Administrative Officer
rachelkevans@berkeley.edu

Rachel K Evans earned a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Before that, she completed a B.A. and M.M. at UCLA. In addition to her passion for performing (and teaching) music, Rachel has worked in a variety of diverse fields, most recently working as a Project Manager in Telecommunications before joining the IGI in early 2022. At IGI Rachel spends most of her time providing administrative support and planning/hosting events.

Undergraduate Students

Abby Wang

Undergraduate Researcher & Graphic Designer
abbywang@berkeley.edu

Abby is a fourth-year majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Neuroscience with interests in all-things related to microbiology, the gut-brain axis, and graphic design. At the Rubin Lab, Abby worked on improving CAST editing efficiency with Amanda and Leo. She is now mentored by and advancing microbiome editing with Lindsey. She also performs various design-related tasks around the lab, including designing and managing this website! Outside of her studies, she enjoys tackling her reading list, museum hopping, and picking up niche hobbies.

Aria Kim

Undergraduate Researcher
ariakim@berkeley.edu

Aria Kim is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley studying Molecular & Cellular Biology and Public Health with interests in microbiology, health equity, and bioethics. In the lab, she investigates microbial genome editing, exploring molecular mechanisms through functional genomics. Outside the lab, she enjoys watching live bands, falling down niche rabbit holes, and justifying her latest impulsive purchase.

Varsha Sivanath

Undergraduate Researcher
vsiv@berkeley.edu

Varsha is a third-year student majoring in Nutrition Sciences & Metabolic Biology, with interests in the intersection of nutrition, metabolism, and health. In the lab, she works under Lindsey, to explore microbiome editing and selection. Outside of lab, she enjoys hiking, running, leaving behind a lot of unfinished art projects, and making lattes!

Hengyi Yang

Undergraduate Researcher
hengyi1116@berkeley.edu

Hengyi is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbial Biology and Nutritional Science, with interests in microbiology, immunology, and nutrition. In the Lab, she is mentored by Kuang and works on searching for novel RNA-guided editors. Outside the lab, Hengyi enjoys dancing, aerobics, and long-distance running.

Ashley Killian

Undergraduate Researcher
ashleykillian@berkeley.edu

Ashley is a third-year student double-majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Anthropology, with interests in immunology, molecular medicine, and human health. In the Rubin Lab, she is mentored by Bingliang and works on identifying novel RNA-guided genome editors and studying approaches for genetic tool delivery. Outside the lab, Ashley enjoys concerts, backpacking, and traveling.