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Meet The Team
Sonali Chaturvedi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Virology
sonalic@ucr.edu
In January 2024, Dr. Chaturvedi inaugurated her laboratory at the University of California, Riverside, following her tenure as a Research Investigator at the Gladstone Institute of Virology, The J. David Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, since June 2021, where she designed escape-resistant therapies (Chaturvedi* et al. Cell 2021; Chaturvedi* et al. Cell 2022, Chaturvedi et al. PNAS 2022 *= co-corresponding author) and identified the latency switch in Cytomegalovirus (Chaturvedi et al. PNAS 2020), a leading cause of congenital defect and transplant failure. Her academic journey is distinguished by postdoctoral research at the J. David Gladstone Institutes and a Ph.D. in Virology from the University of California, Riverside, where she explored the molecular mechanisms of RNA virus packaging, defective interfering RNAs, and their interactions with corresponding RNA viruses and hosts. Dr. Sonali's got her formative training of M.S. and B.S. in Microbiology at Sardar Patel University, India. Her foray into virology was inspired by a personal childhood incident involving her brother's battle with Hepatitis C virus. Outside the laboratory, Dr. Chaturvedi finds solace and inspiration in traveling, hiking with her golden retriever dog, engaging in artistic endeavors, and playing cello.
Ruthie Shenoy
Research Associate
Ruthie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from UCR. Growing up in a family where science was often the topics of discussion at the dinner table, her fascination with science began early on. Her father, a Microbiologist and her mother, a Biochemist, by training, encouraged her to pursue a career in the sciences. As the eldest sibling to younger brothers, Ruthie naturally took on a nurturing role, fueling her dream of pursuing a career in the medical sciences. Ruthie has always been committed to participating in community service. Past volunteer experiences have allowed Ruthie to explore various aspects of giving back to our communities through visits to hospitals, clinics, senior homes, and collaboration with medical professionals.
Ruthie's desire to work in Dr. Chaturvedi's lab stems from its dedication to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is committed to advancing knowledge in virology. This aligns perfectly with Ruthie's goals of contributing to meaningful scientific research while working in an empowering setting. Outside of work, Ruthie enjoys relaxing at the beach, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with family, friends, and her cat Drako.
Hana Shaik
Research Associate
Hana Shaik earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Applied Statistics from UCR. Her passion for research began in elementary school when she built a saltwater circuit to generate electricity, igniting a lifelong commitment to purposeful research. In high school, she joined a team at UCI School of Medicine to study electroacupuncture's effects on hypertension, and in college, she collaborated with the South Asian American Health Initiative (SAAHI) to address public health challenges, focusing on cerebral palsy within South Asian communities.
Now working in Chaturvedi lab, Hana employs machine learning, computational methods, and mathematical modeling to understand design principles of viruses. Her interest in systems biology, which integrates biology and quantitative modeling, drives her to uncover deeper insights into viral behavior and bridge the gap between fundamental science and solutions that benefit communities.
Outside her professional pursuits, Hana enjoys running scenic beach trails, hiking, exploring tide pools, and spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Zuko.
Areg Mehrabian
Research Associate
Areg Mehrabian is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Riverside, majoring in Biology. He plans to apply to medical school and is particularly passionate about human health and medicine. In Chaturvedi lab, Areg explores the fascinating world of virology, studying the effects of viruses on organisms and investigating innovative strategies to defend against them. His work contributes to advancing scientific understanding of design principled of viruses and use them as in the field. Outside the lab, Areg enjoys spending time with friends, playing soccer, and watching movies.
Lab Alumni
Isabela Mocino
CIRM STRIDE Fellow
Jonathan Methippara
CIRM STRIDE Fellow
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