CNL Staff Bios

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 Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from San Diego State University. She worked at the Burnham Institute prior to joining the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in 1996 as a histotechnician. This Philippine-born San Diegan loves spending time with her family and friends.

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.

Darwin Pagaduan - Staff Research Associate

Darwin was born in the Philippines and raised in San Diego. He graduated from the University of California San Diego with a BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. He joined the laboratory in 2005. His hobbies include photography, music, camping and hiking. He enjoys a day with good friends, games and food.

Jill Pesayco - Staff Research Associate

Jill was born in the Philippines and grew up in Hawai'i and San Diego. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry. Jill joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in 2006. She enjoys musical theater, stand-up comedy, and supports the local art and music scene.

Alejandro Hernandez - Staff Research Associate

Alejandro was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from the University of California San Diego in 2021 with a Bachelors Degree in Biochemistry & Cell Biology and a minor in Global Health. After graduating, Alejandro stayed in San Diego and shortly after joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in the fall of 2021. His hobbies include spending time in nature, hiking,exploring San Diego, and spending time with friends & family.

Madeleine Martinez - Lab Assistant II

Madeleine was born and raised in San Diego, California. She graduated from the University of California San Diego in 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Global Health. Shortly after graduating she joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in the fall of 2025, where she continues to pursue her passion for science and health and explore ways to connect the two. In her spare time she enjoys hosting, traveling, and spending time with friends and loved ones.

Dana Lind - Fund Analyst

Dana was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. She graduated from San Francisco State University. She relocated to San Diego in the summer of 2003 and joined Comparative Neuromuscular Lab.

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 Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from San Diego State University. She worked at the Burnham Institute prior to joining the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in 1996 as a histotechnician. This Philippine-born San Diegan loves spending time with her family and friends.

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.

Darwin Pagaduan - Staff Research Associate

Darwin was born in the Philippines and raised in San Diego. He graduated from the University of California San Diego with a BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. He joined the laboratory in 2005. His hobbies include photography, music, camping and hiking. He enjoys a day with good friends, games and food.

Jill Pesayco - Staff Research Associate

Jill was born in the Philippines and grew up in Hawai'i and San Diego. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry. Jill joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in 2006. She enjoys musical theater, stand-up comedy, and supports the local art and music scene.

Alejandro Hernandez - Staff Research Associate

Alejandro was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from the University of California San Diego in 2021 with a Bachelors Degree in Biochemistry & Cell Biology and a minor in Global Health. After graduating, Alejandro stayed in San Diego and shortly after joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in the fall of 2021. His hobbies include spending time in nature, hiking,exploring San Diego, and spending time with friends & family.

Madeleine Martinez - Lab Assistant II

Madeleine was born and raised in San Diego, California. She graduated from the University of California San Diego in 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Global Health. Shortly after graduating she joined the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory in the fall of 2025, where she continues to pursue her passion for science and health and explore ways to connect the two. In her spare time she enjoys hosting, traveling, and spending time with friends and loved ones.

Dana Lind - Fund Analyst

Dana was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. She graduated from San Francisco State University. She relocated to San Diego in the summer of 2003 and joined Comparative Neuromuscular Lab.