Ling Guo MD, PhD - Assistant Project Scientist
Ling was born and raised in North China. After graduating from medical school, she worked as a neurologist in China for fourteen years. She received fellowship training in Neuroscience at Beijing Union College Hospital.  In 1999, she came to the United States and worked as a visiting scholar at Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, UCSD.  She then did her post-doctoral training on neuromuscular disease research in Dr. Eva Engvall’s laboratory at the Burnham Institute.  Ling played a key role in collaborations between Dr. Shelton’s laboratory and Dr. Engvall’s laboratory on the immunodiagnosis of muscular dystrophies in domestic animals.  She received a Ph.D. degree from the University of Copenhagen while working with Dr. Engvall.  Her Ph.D. thesis was on “Animal Models for Muscular Dystrophy; Mechanisms of Disease and Potential Therapy”. Ling joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in July 2007. 

Dale Humphries - Staff Research Associate and Supervisor
Dale was born and raised in Goldthwaite, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1998 with a BS in Genetics. After graduation, Dale moved to San Diego where he completed a Masters Degree in Forensic Science from National University. He joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in the fall of 1998. In addition to his technical duties, Dale serves as both the laboratory and Pathology Department Safety Officer. His hobbies include photography, hiking,fishing and geocaching.

Norma Huff - Staff Research Associate
Norma graduated with a BS in Biology from San Diego State University. She has been with the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory as a histotechnician since January 1996. This Philippine-born San Diegan loves to spend time with her husband Bill, their baby daughter Alana, and their two orange tabbies, Tango and Hufflepuff.

Nina Humphries - Staff Research Associate
Nina was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1998 with a Bachelors Degree in Biology. After graduation Nina traveled across Europe and visited South Africa for a year. She moved to San Diego in 1999 and in 2000 joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling and geocaching.

Monica Burgers - Staff Research Associate
Monica was born and raised in a small town southeast of Buenos Aires, Argentina. After teaching high school Natural Sciences for a year, she became interested in Vertebrate Evolution. She participated in two Paleontological expeditions:  one to Patagonia and the other to Montana and Wyoming. During this time worked as a Graduate and Research Assistant in Paleoherpetology and took several graduate courses in Evolution at San Diego State University. She joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in 2006. She believes that life is beautiful and that we are here to learn and be free through knowledge.

Jill Pesayco - Staff Research Associate
Jill was born in the Philippines and grew up in Hawaii and San Diego. She is a recent graduate of UCSD with a bachelors degree in Chemistry. Jill joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Lab in the fall of 2006. In her spare time, Jill tries to explores San Diego and supports the local music and art scene, especially the spoken word poetry scene. Her hobbies include watching anime, playing video games, playing volleyball, being an avid Simpson fan, watching the Food Network and watching movies

Darwin Pagaduan - Lab Assistant
Darwin was born in the Philippines and raised in San Diego. He is a fourth year student at UCSD. His long-term goals include graduating with a degree in biochemistry and a minor in psychology, then attending Pharmacy School. Aside from the academics of school, he is an active member of the UCSD Asian and Pacific-Islander Student Alliance and currently their historian. He plays the clarinet and is now learning to play the piano and guitar. In addition, he plays paddle/racquet sports, likes watching movies and hanging out with friends, and learning new things.

Nathan Copeland - Lab Assistant
Nathan was born in Fresno, CA and raised in Visialia, CA. He is graduating from the University of California San Diego in June 2007 with a BS in Molecular Biology and Philosophy. His long-term goal is pursuing both a Masters degree and PhD in Biology. He joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in 2006. When he is not busy studying and working, he enjoys camping, football and traveling.

Rachel Nga Yin Chan - Student Lab Assistant
Rachel was born and raised in Hong Kong. She moved to the United States at the age of 15 and lived in the small town, Turlock, before moving to San Diego for college. She is currently a third year student at UCSD and is majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Psychology. Rachel loves exploring new places, meeting new people with diverse cultural backgrounds, learning new languages, swimming, jogging, and watching movies. She is also involved in the I-Partners program and a member of the International club.

Vuong Nguyen - Student Lab Assistant
Vuong was born and raised in San Diego, California. She is a third year at UCSD and plans to graduate with a bachelors degree in Human Biology. Her long term goal is to become a pharmacist who would work in a hospital setting, assisting physicians and patients with their medical needs. Vuong likes to dedicate her spare time reading novels, watching the Oprah Show, travelling, and spending time with her family. Her ultimate dream is to travel the world, and provide humanitarian work to those in need of medical attention.