Principal Investigator
Molly Fox, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
Department of Anthropology
Department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences
UCLA
Within the frameworks of evolutionary and developmental biology, my research focuses on maternal and grandmaternal transgenerational transmission of genes, phenotypes, life-history patterns, and disease risk. I synthesize information from molecular, clinical, epidemiological, and anthropological research towards understanding the evolutionary context of human health and disease, family and societal structure, and addressing global health challenges.
Click here to link to my electronic CV
Development of the human infant microbiome and cognitive function
The first year of life represents a sensitive period of development for both the intestinal ecosystem and the central nervous system. This project investigates how disturbance in the complex assembly of gut microbiota affects development of the brain. The gut and brain are physiologically linked in a bi-directional communication and control system. While a growing body of research implicates this ‘gut-brain axis’ in adult disease etiology, little is known about how the gut-brain axis functions in infant development.
This project has been funded by two seed grants from the UCLA California Center for Population Research and DNA Genotek.
PhDs and Postdocs
Delaney Knorr
PhD student
Delaney Knorr is exploring topics of women’s health and disease from an evolutionary perspective. Her focus centers on the immunological changes mounted during pregnancy, and the effect those changes have on the individual through their life-course and the subsequent generation.
Kyle Wiley, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Kyle Wiley is an NIH F32 fellow funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD).
LAB GROUP
UCLA grad students
Current members: Delaney Knorr, Davis Mai, Amanda Reshke, Emma Dixon, Adiba Hassan, Dayoon Kwon, Ingrid Cely, Hash Brown Taha
Former members: Andrew Balayan, Valeria Vasquez, Kotrina Kojokaite, Jackelyn Moya, Kristine Chua, Lorena Espinoza, Nichole Evans, Andrew Mitchel, Kacey Peters, Ainsley Belisle, Michael Parrish
UCLA undergrad students
Current members: Desiree Eshraghi, Monica Gonzalez, Arlene Francia, Julissa Robles, Jennifer Cruz, Jackeline Barragán, Melanie Krahn, Sunny Xiao, Karina Acevedo, Joan Moci, Lexi Tempera, Owen Pogue
Former members: Danielle Taylor, Alan Liang, Alexandria Lee, Kate Elliott, Melanie Fun, Emily Wang, Khoa Tran, Phuong Tran, Andrew Osgood, Sarah Meskal, Jenneffer Vazquez, Michelle Tenggara, Olivia Schulist, Waania Beg, Zoe Hull, Allison Lipschitz, Celeste Castro, Janelly Bernice, Katherine Najarro, Alex Tenorio, Cynthia Zarate, Armen Akopyan, Michelle Herrera, Michelle Silva, Gladys Bello, Megan Blatt, Allison Whang, Cate Remphrey, Bethany Ru, Jhoana Garcia, Paulina Salas, Janelly Jimenez, Samantha Garcia, Leticia Camacho, Paulina Salas, Briauna Archer, Valeria Rojas, Andy Estrada, Gladys Bello, Erin Hu, Megan Kirshner
UC Irvine students, former: Itzel Garcia, Micaela Maciel, Valeria Calvillo, Elizabeth Flores
Other schools + Postbac
Former members: Andrea Ambor, Anthony Sanabria, Kristin Gasca, Allen Siegler, Maria Klingler; Julia Rothschild, Amberly Gangi, Julia Barnett, Tian Walker, Zenaida Flores, Coralia Guandique, Jessica Percic
2021-2022
(MCE meeting)
2020-2021
2018-2019
2018-2019
2017-2018
GROUP PHOTOS
Student research presentations and fun activities
