Principal Investigator

Satchin Panda
Satchin Panda, a professor in the Regulatory Biology Laboratory, is interested in understanding the molecular mechanism of the biological clock in a mouse model system. The biological clock or circadian oscillator in most organisms coordinates behavior and physiology with the natural light-dark cycle. His laboratory uses genetic, genomics and biochemical approaches to identify genes under circadian regulation in different organs and to understand the mechanism of such regulation. His lab also tries to characterize the mechanism by which the circadian oscillator is synchronized to the natural light-dark condition. Both classical rod/cone photoreceptors and a newly identified ocular photopigment melanopsin participate in photoentrainment of the clock. Research in his lab is geared towards identifying molecular components and events critical for transmitting light information from the eye to the master oscillator in the brain.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Hugo Calligaro
I received my PhD in Neurosciences from the University of Lyon in 2018. I joined Dr Panda’s team to study the opsins involved in the regulation of the circadian system by using a combination of approaches including histology, electrophysiology and sequencing.

Shaunak Deota
I received my PhD in Biochemistry in early 2019 from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, India. I joined the Panda lab to study the molecular physiology of Time restricted feeding (TRF). Outside the lab, I love traveling, cooking and watching science fiction series/movies.

Emily Manoogian
I received my PhD in Neuroscience and Behavior in 2015 from the UMass Amherst. My researched focused on gaining an understanding of the behavioral, neurobiological, and genetic bases of the circadian mutant hamster known as duper. In early 2016, I joined the Panda lab to apply my knowledge of chronobiology to human translation studies. I am now the head of human research in the Panda lab, with a focus on Time-Restricted Feeding. Outside of lab, I love to travel, go the beach, sketch/paint, and tap dance!
Research Assistant

Hiep Le
I joined Dr. Panda’s lab in 2005 as a research assistant. Since then I’ve worked with Xenopus laevis, Drosophila melanogaster and Mus musculus to help elucidate how the circadian clock works and what it affects. When I’m not in the lab, I’m usually taking photos or eating, or combining both and taking photos of the food I eat.

Catherine Lopez
Staff Scientist

Amandine Chaix
I received my PhD in immunology in 2010 from the University of Science of Luminy in Marseille, France. I joined the Panda lab as a postdoc because of my interest in the temporal circadian regulation of physiological processes. Aside from the lab, I used to be a ski addict, now I am surf trainee.

Ludovic Mure
I joined the Panda lab about 3 years ago after I graduated from the University of Lyon in France. I’m interested in non—visual photoreception which includes entrainment of circadian rhythms, pupil constriction, modulation of mood, alertness and cognitive processes and is mainly regulated by a recently discovered photopigment, melanopsin. Outside the lab I enjoy cooking, traveling and boxing.
Graduate Student

Terry Lin
I joined the Panda lab as a volunteer in my third year of undergrad at UCSD and have continued on as a graduate student. My interests are of mice and metabolism. My latest goal is to learn more about circadian regulation in disease development. And drink more water.