Biography

Oran, who describes the Arias Lab environment as "a playground for scientific inquiries and pursuits," has been a part of the lab since the fourth year of his bachelor's degree and is continuing on as a master's student at UCSB. His graduate work focuses on investigating the piracy and manipulation of the ZIKA virus in relation to translation initiation. In particular, differential expression of components of the Eukaryotic Initiation of Translation 4F (eIF4F) that are concomitant to infection. The changes in translation of cap binding protein eIF4E and the scaffolding protein eIF4G (components of eIF4F) have sparked inquisitive avenues of research that one day could frame a therapeutic window for combating ailments that are innate to ZIKV. Outside of lab, Oran likes to spend time skateboarding, drawing, and watching Quentin Tarantino or Keanu Reeves films.

Research Area

Oran was a M.S. student investigating the piracy and manipulation of the ZIKA virus in relation to translation initiation, particularly with regard to differential expression of the components of eIF4F.

He is currently a Research Associate at Capsida Biotherapeutics