Guillermo Najarro

UCSB Graduate Student (Ph.D.)
Email: 
gnajarro@ucsb.edu

Education

  • UC Merced Biological Sciences B.S. with emphasis in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Awards & Honors

  • University of California Merced School of Natural Sciences Outstanding Undergraduate 2017
  • University of California Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Program Fellowship 2017
  • Summer Cardio-Renal Undergraduate Research Experience (SeCURE) Scholar
  • Louis Stokes California Alliance for Minority Participation (NSF CAMP) Scholar

Biography

Guillermo joined the Arias Lab as a Ph.D. student in the summer of 2018. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from UC Merced where he primarily gained research experience in Dr. Nobile’s lab studying microbial interactions and biofilms. He was also involved in summer research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Dr. Pollock’s lab, which focuses on nephrology. As a graduate student, Guillermo is currently investigating the dynamics of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in cells infected by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV). He is particularly interested in identifying viral factors involved in the hijacking and modulation of the cellular UPR. Deciphering the viral mechanisms that lead to remodeling of the UPR has the potential to further elucidate the regulation of this critical cellular response in the context of health and disease. When Guillermo is not doing research, he likes to play video games, watch his favorite TV show, “How I Met Your Mother,” and read various science articles for fun.

Research Area

Guilermo is a Ph.D. student who is exploring the dynamics of the UPR in cells infected with KSHV and is specifically interested in identifying viral factors affecting this cellular response

Research Areas