Dr. Stan Karsten

Dr Karsten graduated from St. Petersburg State University (LGU), one of the top schools of the former Soviet Union with a M.S. in Biochemistry and Genetics. He received his Ph.D. in Medical Genetics and Pathology from Uppsala University in 2000.

Dr. Karsten's laboratory specializes in functional genomics to identify mechanisms, biomarkers and drug targets for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Karsten himself has broad expertise in methods development and optimization, as well as has 20 years of experience in molecular biology, human genetics and functional genomics. He has received grants from the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, NIH/NINDS, Society for Progresive Supranuclear Palsy, Judith and Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation, Alzheimer Association, NARSAD and other agencies.

Deck Hands

Liubov Parfenova

Education:	1991 - 1997 1998 - 2003 2004 - 2006	St. Petersburg State University, Russia MS, Biochemistry St. Petersburg State University, Russia PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Texas Health Science Center: Department of Physiology, San Antonio, Texas Postdoctoral Training
Current Projects:	ALS Biomarkers, PSA Neuroprotective Function
Research Interests:	Main course: Molecular mechanisms of Neurodegeneration(ALS, ALzheimer's disease) Side dish: Protein chemistry
Personal Interests:	Reading, music, art, biking, travelling and hiking around the world, cooking, extraordinary people

Guijie Ren

Education:	1988 - 1992 1996 - 1999 2002 - 2005	Mudanjian University BS, Biology Shandong University MS, Biology Shandong University MD/PhD, Microbiology
Current Projects:	Role of PSA in SOD1-induced neurodegeneration
Research Interests:
Personal Interests:

Greenhorns

Marquis Jessie

Education:	1997 2003 2007	Brown University BS Boston University MD King/Drew Medical Center Residency
Current Projects:	Role of growth restriction on the development of metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease
Research Interests:	Fetal programming
Personal Interests:	Fly fishing, golf, E*Trade, and my Foreman grill

Volunteers

2009

Elizabeth Hong, Torrance High School

Summer 2008

Mona Nejad, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
Catherine Freije, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
Christina Fong, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
Ashwini Jayapragasam, Cal Poly Pomona
Julia Suzuki, Cal State Northridge
Julia Berman, Chadwick School
Timothy Anderson, University of California, Irvine

The Crew

Who's who in the lab

The Skipper