People

Scott Biering, PhD

Principal Investigator

sbiering@ucsd.edu

Scott Biering is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology in the School of Biological Sciences at UCSD. Scott received his undergraduate degree from UCLA where he worked in the labs of Dr. Benhur Lee and Dr. Hector Aguilar-Carreno investigating entry mechanisms of Nipah virus. He then received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Chicago in the lab of Dr. Seungmin Hwang investigating antiviral mechanisms of interferons and autophagy proteins. Then at the University of California, Berkeley, he pursued postdoctoral studies in the lab of Dr. Eva Harris as an Open Philanthropy Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation, investigating mechanisms of flavivirus and coronavirus pathogenesis. He joined the Molecular Biology faculty at UCSD in 2023.

 

Becca Salgado, MS

Research Technician

resalgado@ucsd.edu

Becca is originally from sunny SoCal and earned her B.S. in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. As an undergraduate student, she discovered her love for all things virology while working at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in the lab of Dr. Sujan Shresta, studying the adaptive immune response to Zika and Dengue virus. Becca then decided to go for a change of scenery and headed over to the East Coast for graduate school at Virginia Tech. She joined the lab of Dr. Nisha Duggal and received her M.S. in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences; her thesis focused on investigating cross-neutralizing antibody responses between two flaviviruses, West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Looking to gain experience in high-containment labs, she then worked as a virology technician at Fort Detrick, Maryland in the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, working with high consequence pathogens. In the end, Becca decided East Coast winters were pretty brutal and decided to move back to her favorite city (San Diego) where she joined the Biering lab in March 2024. Her project focuses on two proteins of Nipah virus, a highly pathogenic virus in Asia and the South Pacific. Outside the lab, she loves to read, bake, and hang out with her cat, Coconut… all while listening to Taylor Swift.  

Vasiliya Kril, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar

vkril@ucsd.edu

Vasiliya is a postdoctoral researcher with a passion for virology and the complex question of whether viruses are living entities. Originally from Bulgaria, Vasiliya pursued her academic career in France, where she earned her B.Sc in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Bordeaux. Vasiliya then moved to Paris to join the Pasteur Institute’s Fundamental Virology M.Sc program. There, she began her first research experience in Ali Amara’s lab, focusing on the biology of emerging and re-emerging arboviruses. Throughout her M.Sc Vasiliya concentrated on deciphering the intricate host-virus interactions during infections with significant human pathogens such as dengue virus and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). For her Ph.D research, she focused on the role of CHIKV nsP3, and interaction partner FHL1, in virus infection. Outside the lab, Vasiliya finds herself torn between seeking answers to existential questions through literature and music and simply enjoying life with friends.

Lucy Gordon, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar

lugordon@ucsd.edu

Lucy is a postdoctoral researcher in the Biering Lab, driven by a strong interest in exploring various aspects of fundamental virology with the ambition to pursue a career in academia. Her current research focuses on investigating vascular leak in respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Lucy’s fascination with infectious diseases began during her undergraduate studies at The University of Surrey in the UK, where she spent two years researching Tuberculosis in badgers—a significant issue in the UK due to its impact on cattle farming. Lucy earned her Ph.D. from The University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with The Pirbright Institute, for her novel research on the antibody response to foot-and-mouth disease virus. Her work involved high containment facilities and the use of mouse models to explore the role of persisting antigen in long-term antibody responses. Outside the lab, Lucy enjoys being active outdoors, particularly swimming in the ocean, and indulging in good food and wine—all while meeting and socialising with new people.

Isaac Chang, MS

BioSci PhD Student

ichang@ucsd.edu

Isaac is a PhD student in the Biological Sciences program, originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. In the Biering Lab, his research focus is on the host response to viral toxin-mediated pathogenesis. He utilizes a combination of biochemical, microscopy, and in vivo techniques to explore viral-agnostic host pathways against vascular leak. Isaac previously obtained his MSc in Biology at UCSD in Dr. Enfu Hui’s lab, focusing on the expression regulation of the key immunosuppressive molecule PD-L1. He also obtained his BS in Molecular and Cell Biology at UCSD, with a minor in French Literature. Outside the lab, he likes road trips, concerts, and San Diego’s amazing food scene! 

Rebecca Kirby

BMS PhD Student

rekirby@health.ucsd.edu

Rebecca is a PhD student in the Biomedical Sciences program. She is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado (which gets even more sunshine than SoCal), and received a B.S. in Biology from Brown University, where she studied the emergence of resistance to artemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum in Rwanda. Rebecca will be focusing on astrovirus pathogenesis for her thesis project. Outside of lab, she enjoys playing cello in orchestra, leading her cohort in a variety of intramural sports, and watching the sunset from her balcony. 

Juliette Bokor

Undergraduate Researcher

jbokor@ucsd.edu

Juliette grew up in Southern California, and is a fourth year undergraduate Molecular and Cellular Biology student. With hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in research, she is excited to be expanding her knowledge of virology and viral mechanisms of action in the Biering lab. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Jack Ye

Undergraduate Researcher

s3ye@ucsd.edu

Jack is a second year undergraduate student majoring in public health at UC San Diego. He loves learning about different pathogens and is fascinated by their unique infectious mechanisms. He enjoys running, skiing, and hanging out with friends or family in his free time.

Simret Gudat

Undergraduate Researcher

sgudat@ucsd.edu

Simret grew up in Sonoma County in Northern California but is originally from Eritrea. She is currently an undergraduate student at UCSD majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. In the future, Simret hopes to bridge her passions for biomedical research, medicine, and alleviating healthcare and research disparities. In her free time she enjoys watching films, reading, and spending time with her loved ones.

Want to join the Lab? We are hiring:

Postdoctoral Scholars

We are always interested to hear from highly motivated and independent scientists. If you’re interested in conducting postdoctoral training in the lab please reach out to Scott with a CV and a list of three references. Please explain a bit about your career goals and why you’re interested in studying viral pathogenesis.

 

Graduate Students

If you’re interested in conducting graduate studies in the lab please apply through the UCSD Biological Sciences Graduate program. Apply Here!  

 

Research Technicians

If you’re interested in joining the lab as a research technician please reach out to Scott directly to inquire about open positions. Opportunities for career scientists may also be available.

 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

If you are a UCSD undergraduate student looking for research experience please reach out to Scott and inquire about open positions. Undergraduate researchers in the lab typically work closely with a more senior lab member to support a project. Dedicated undergraduate students may have the opportunity to advance to more independent projects.