Mendoza Lab Members
Mendoza Lab Members
Current Members
Keith received his MS from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in physics. His interests are bio-engineering and MATLAB software development for biological analysis.
Wakei is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah. He is interested in the mechanics of applied strain on tissues and its role in early lung cancer progression. In the Mendoza Lab, Wakei studies stress-strain relationships in lung tumors, supported by funding from the UROP program.
Chisom was born and raised in Nigeria, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in microbiology. Interested in understanding of the development of human disease, Chisom moved to the United States to pursue her Doctorate degree through the Bioscience Ph.D. Program at the University of Utah. In the Mendoza lab, in the Department of Oncological Sciences, she is exploring the mechanics of the extracellular matrix and cell migration and how these concepts contribute to cancer progression. Outside of work and studies, Chisom loves to ride her bike, hang out with friends, and admire the different seasons and landscapes in Utah.
Tony is a biotechnology graduate of Utah Valley University. He is interested in the mechanisms of cancer progression. In the Mendoza lab, Tony is undertaking post-baccalaureate training to prepare to purse a graduate degree in Molecular biology. He is studying the proteins involved in lung cancer progression and metastasis.
Shiela is a graduate of the University of Utah's MB graduate program (PhD with Dr. Joseph Yost). She is interested in cell movements that shape development. She participates in multiple projects aimed at deciphering the signals that control cell movement and how these normal processes are hijacked to promote cancer metastasis.
Jakaria Shawon completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is interested in the signals that control cancer cell invasion during the early stages of lung cancer. He worked as a laboratory technician in the Mendoza lab for two years before joining the Oncological Sciences Ph.D. program.
Andrew is a PhD student in oncological sciences. Andrew graduated from Bridgewater College with a BS in biology. He is studying ERK’s regulation of focal adhesions and associated cytoskeleton dynamics during cell migration.
Past Members
Akib Khan—PhD student, graduated 2025. Transitioned to Postdoctoral Fellow, Mayo Clinic, MN.
Andrew Shepherd—PhD student, graduated 2025.
Rebecca Zitnay—PhD student, graduated 2023. Transitioned to staff in the Judson-Torres lab, University of Utah.
Jared Bergman—Postdoctoral Fellow in Mendoza Lab, 2020. Moved to Research Scientist at Meissa Vaccines.
Marzieh Chaharlang—Research Associate; transitioned to become a Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University, 2020.
Kelley Ingram—Laboratory Specialist; transitioned to doctorate in osteopathic medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, 2020.
Andrew Elliott—ostdoctoral Fellow in Mendoza Lab, 2019. Moved to Research Scientist, Caris Life Sciences, Clinical Oncology.
Kimberly Coffman—Master’s student, graduated 2018. Currently Lab Technician at the University of Utah.
Brian Mueller—Laboratory specialist in the Mendoza Lab; transitioned to graduate a PhD student in biology, University of Utah, 2017.
Yung Kim—Laboratory specialist in the Mendoza Lab; transitioned to graduate studies in Biomedical Engineering and staff at University of Minnesota Imaging Center, 2017.
Jesus Juarez—Laboratory technician; transitioned to medical school, UCLA, 2015.
Tony Rojas—Laboratory Specialist; moved to Laboratory Staff at MZ Packaging, 2024.
Staff
- Tony Rojas—Laboratory Specialist. Moved to Laboratory Staff at MZ Packaging, 2025.
- Kelley Ingram—Laboratory Specialist. Moved to pursue DO in Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, 2020.
- Brian Mueller—Laboratory Specialist; moved to pursue PhD in Biology, University of Utah, 2017.
- Yung Kim—Laboratory Specialist; moved to Staff at University of Minnesota Imaging Center and Biomedical Engineering graduate student, University of Minnesota, 2017.
- Jesus Juarez—Laboratory Technician; moved to medical school, UCLA, 2015.
Affiliations
- Department of Oncological Sciences
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology and Microenvironment Program
- Lung Center of Excellence
- Computational Oncology Research Initiative
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program
Collaborations
Mechanobiology: The Mendoza lab has a funded collaboration with the Weiss lab in the Biomedical Engineering department. This collaboration applies computational modeling and experimental stretching of lung tissue to understand the biomechanical signals involved in lung tumor growth.
Pollution and lung cancer: The Mendoza has lab a funded collaboration with Drs. Judy Ou and Chen Chen in Population Health Sciences to understand and target the cancer-promoting signals in particulate matter pollution.
Pathology: Support is also provided by Dr. Lyska Emerson in the Department of Pathology.