@UC Berkeley
The Team
What We Stand For
Our lab values ethical integrity, collaboration, open communication, respect, and equity. We love to talk about science and celebrate everybody successes, big and small.
Alessandra Ferrari
Principal Investigator
I have always been fascinated by lipid biochemistry and metabolism. I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Università degli Studi di Milano, where my doctoral research focused on the epigenetic regulation of adipose tissue metabolism. For my postdoctoral training, I moved to Los Angeles to join Dr. Peter Tontonoz's laboratory at UCLA. My time in Dr. Tontonoz's lab ignited my passion for lipid trafficking in physiology and the pathophysiology of lipid-related diseases. Outside the lab, I enjoy running, hiking, spending time with my family, visiting museums and art exhibitions, and exploring new restaurants.
Jinse Kim
Postdoc
My research interest is in metabolism and physiology. I earned my Ph.D. in Comparative biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. During my PhD, I worked on uncovering the function of a nuclear receptor, PPARalpha, in regulating liver proteostasis. I am now genuinely interested in understanding the detailed mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism, particularly how it is finely balanced from absorption to excretion. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, hiking, and spending time with my lovely family.
Francesca Fantini
Visiting Student
After graduating in Pharmacy, I am now a PhD student in Pharmacological Biomolecular Sciences, Experimental and Clinical at the University of Milan. My research focuses on the link between mitochondrial lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in the liver, particularly in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, with the aim of identifying relevant targets for the treatment of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. I joined the lab to further investigate the intricate interplay between mitochondrial dynamics and cholesterol trafficking. Outside the lab, I am a competitive fencer, and I enjoy cycling around the city and hiking.
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Julia Hwang
Junior Specialist
My name is Julia and I earned my Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2025. As a Junior Specialist, I support ongoing research efforts through data collection, experimental design, and analysis. My responsibilities include maintaining laboratory equipment, managing our mouse colonies, mentoring our undergraduate students in laboratory techniques, and assisting with overall coordination/communication of Ferrari Lab research projects. Outside the lab, I enjoy staying active through volleyball and hiking, and I love exploring different cafes around the Bay Area in search of the best matcha!
Melania Montes Pèrez
Visiting Scientist
Throughout my research career, I have focused on identifying novel molecular biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis and exploring gene expression-based therapies. I earned a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, then joined Dr. Andrew Paul’s laboratory at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. My current research interests lie in understanding how diet influences cholesterol trafficking and how these processes contribute to disease. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, running, and spending quality time with my family.
Marilena Ciuffa
Undergraduate Researcher
I am an undergraduate student studying Nutrition and Metabolic Biology on the pre-medical track. My role in the lab is to assist with experiments and ultimately learn more about lipid transport and metabolism. Besides medicine, I am very passionate about the intersection of technological innovation and biology. Outside of the lab, I love to read, travel, and spend my free time at the beach.
Saloni Rajput
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a senior transfer student majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with a focus on Immunology and a minor in Data Science at UC Berkeley. I joined the Ferrari Lab in March 2025 to explore the role of lipid metabolism in disease. I am interested in the intersection of lipid signaling and immune responses, and I want to pursue an MD and continue translational research. Outside the lab, I serve on the board for Berkeley’s chapters of KDSAP and Flying Samaritans, where I help lead free health screenings, clinics, and outreach efforts in underserved communities. I also enjoy dancing, learning psychology, and languages.
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley majoring in Psychology. My passion lies in medicine and health, which sparked my interest in human physiology. I joined the lab in hopes of further exploring how understanding lipid metabolism at a cellular level might provide critical insights to broader mechanisms of health and disease. Outside of the lab, I enjoy being creative and working with my hands—whether through sculpting clay miniatures, painting and drawing, playing guitar, reading, or baking!
Lisa Lauren Yoon
Open Positions
We're looking for people to join our team!
We are building the Ferrari Lab and multiple positions are available. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Post-doctoral fellows with expertise in mouse physiology, lipid metabolism, cell biology, organelle biology are encouraged to apply.
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We welcome graduate students who are enrolled in one of the UC Berkeley graduate programs.
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The Ferrari Lab welcomes eager undergraduates to explore lipid metabolism and physiology.
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