The Kamariza Lab

Biomolecular engineering to monitor and control infectious microbes.

We conduct research at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and molecular engineering to unlock new possibilities for research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and precision medicine in resource constrained environments.

Lab Instagram Feed

Up next on our spotlight, Tanya is an immunity, Microbes, and Molecular pathogenesis PhD student who is rotating in our lab fall 24’. Her current research interests revolve around leveraging chemical and biological engineering to create accessible public health tools. Outside of the lab, Tanya enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, skiing, and spending time with her cat Suki🌙✨
Congrats to our undergraduate students for showcasing their oral and poster presentations at #BMES2024 🥳🙌🏻
Happy Halloween🎃🕸️
Welcome Ashvi, a Bioengineering PHD student at UCLA. She is dedicated to developing advanced and affordable diagnostics to detect pressing infectious diseases. In her free time she enjoys gardening, exploring new countries and their cultures🌱.

Lab News

Featured
Austin passes his qualifying exam in Bioengineering!
Austin passes his qualifying exam in Bioengineering!

Congratulations to Austin for passing his qualifying exam and advancing to PhD candidacy in Bioengineering!

TKL secures first NIH R01 grant!
TKL secures first NIH R01 grant!

We're thrilled to announce that TKL has been awarded our first NIH R01 grant! This five-year project aims to develop a platform for drug susceptibility testing in tuberculosis. By leveraging novel probes based on the sugar trehalose, our approach will enable phenotypic, drug-agnostic, rapid, and low-complexity testing, paving the way for improved treatment strategies. Congratulations to everyone in the lab for this incredible achievement!

Welcoming new faces to TKL
Welcoming new faces to TKL

We're excited to welcome new members to TKL! Ashvi Jain and Asma Kumar have officially joined our lab, and MBI PhD student Tanya Ivanov joins us for a fall rotation.

Dr. Kamariza named one of MIT Tech Review’s Under 35 Innovators
Dr. Kamariza named one of MIT Tech Review’s Under 35 Innovators

Destiny and Esmeralda join TKL
Destiny and Esmeralda join TKL

MBI PhD student Esmeralda Mendoza joins TKL for a Competitive Edge rotation during the summer. Undergraduate lab assistant Destiny Garcia also joins. Welcome!

Manvel Yelanyan joins TKL
Manvel Yelanyan joins TKL

TKL welcomes Bioengineering Masters student Manvel Yelanyan to the lab!

Lab Values

These values were discussed, drafted, and finalized by members of the Kamariza Lab.

  1. Reducing global burden of diseases through streamlined next-generation molecular designs

  2. Engineering for social good: global health equity, accessibility, and social justice

  3. Scientific integrity is not negotiable: honest reporting of data, proper experimental controls, giving proper credit, and accountability!

  4. Lab safety is important!

  5. Diverse perspectives and collaboration enable excellence

  6. Fostering a supportive environment for researchers of all levels and backgrounds

  7. Encouraging emotionally and physically healthy work/life decisions

  8. Respecting curiosity and cultivating open-minded and non-judgemental spaces

  9. Every month is pride month

  10. Science is fun, and we’re a Barbie-friendly lab!

    Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion : The Kamariza laboratory has a strong commitment to establishing a diverse and inclusive environment, and encourages all applications, regardless of cultural or scientific background, gender identity, racial identity, color, religious identity or sexual orientation. We greatly value how scientific and cultural diversity enriches our work and society at large.

In all projects, we work closely with our global partners to evaluate, optimize, and deploy innovative technologies from our lab directly into the field.