PI
Shaeri Mukherjee
I grew up in Calcutta, India. I started my career in Chemistry (Calcutta University), then did Biochemistry (Calcutta University), Cell Biology (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY) and finally Microbiology (Yale University, New Haven). Currently, I am interested in understanding host-pathogen interactions. My favorite bug is Legionella, it is a great model: easy to do genetics, easy to infect and study host processes. Most importantly, it manipulates several host cell processes, thus making it a really good tool to study basic cell biology. My other interest in life is photography: I especially like taking landscape shots. I am a big fan of Ansel Adams. I love working at UCSF, it is a truly great place to do science. San Francisco as a city has a great deal to offer, including its proximity to Yosemite National Park. I am currently looking to expand my laboratory. If you are interested in joining us, send me an email with your CV.
Email:Shaeri.Mukherjee@ucsf.edu
Graduate Students
TOM MOSS
7th year Tetrad PhD Student
I grew up in Los Angeles and Virginia. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, and spent a gap year at the Weizmann Institute before coming to UCSF. Here in the Mukherjee lab, I am a bit of a black sheep in that my research is a step removed from Legionella. A former student discovered that a Legionella kinase phosphorylates the chaperone Hsc70 at a conserved residue, and that this globally decreases translation. I have discovered that this also occurs in human cells independently from Legionella infection. I am attempting to understand the pathway that leads to this phosphorylation, its role in cell biology, and the effects this phosphorylation has on Hsc70.
Email: Tom.Moss@ucsf.edu
Postdoctoral Scholars
Anjali Tripathi, PhD
I was born and raised in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, India. I obtained a Master's degree in Zoology from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). For my Ph.D., I joined the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) in Pune, India. During my Ph.D, I expanded my research in virology and cell biology by focusing on understanding the role of Endoplasmic Reticulum- Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in HIV-1 replication and virion infectivity. To continue my research interest in cell biology, I am working as a postdoctoral fellow in Mukherjee lab to uncover the broader dynamics of UPR beyond its canonical pathways. Outside of research, I am a passionate foodie who enjoys exploring different food joints. I also love long walks, hiking, and exploring new trails around the city.
ADY STEINBACH, PhD
Yet another Midwestern Bay Area transplant, I grew up in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.S. in Biochemistry. During my PhD in the Mukherjee lab, I focused on how Legionella secreted effectors ubiquitinate small GTPases in the Rab subfamily to control the localization and membrane association of these host proteins during infection. During a short interim postdoc, I’m working on how Legionella modulates ubiquitin surrounding its vacuole. Outside of lab, I enjoy sewing my own clothes from fabric that I find at post-consumer art supply warehouses or reclaim from worn out thrifted clothing, spending time with friends, and taking a variety of dance classes.
Email: Ady.Steinbach@ucsf.edu
IRSHAD SHARAFUTDINOV, PHD
I grew up in Kazan, Russia, where I completed both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Genetics at Kazan Federal University. I took my first steps into research at Airat Kayumov's lab, where I later carried out my doctoral work under his supervision, focusing on Staph. aureus antimicrobial resistance. After that, I joined Steffen Backert's lab at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, where I studied the molecular mechanisms of virulence in gastrointestinal pathogens Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni. Here, in Mukherjee lab, I continue my exploration of host-pathogen interactions, focusing on Legionella, which has fascinating molecular machinery for host manipulation. Beyond research, I enjoy reading books, learning languages, and engaging in activities like chess and table tennis.
Puspangana Singh, PHD
I was born in Guwahati (India) and I grew up in Varanasi (India). I have a bachelor's degree in Microbiology from Gargi College, University of Delhi. I pursued my PhD in Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-Kanpur), where I worked on elucidating the entry and fusion dynamics of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. In Mukherjee lab, I am attempting to explore the local protein synthesis machinery of the Legionella-containing vacuoles (LCVs). I have varied interests outside of the lab, and I am always up for a good hike or a long walk. I love to design and make new clothes, read a lot of Victorian-era literature, watch anime and cook.
SARADINDU SAHA, Phd
I hail from Asansol, West Bengal, India where I attended Asansol Ramakrishna Mission High School. I earned my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Zoology from Visva-Bharati University. Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's Poetry, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free," I pursued my Ph.D. at IIT Kharagpur. My research revealed how M.tb-secreted virulent kinase hinders macrophage cell death. As a post-doc at UCSF's Mukherjee lab, I explore mitochondrial events using Legionella as a tool. I enjoy long drives to unwind and thrive on making new friends, transcending geographical barriers.
Email: Saradindu.Saha@ucsf.edu
Koustav Bhakta, Phd
I am a proud Bengali from West Bengal, India, deeply connected to my roots and with a passion for science. My Ph.D. in biochemistry focused on protein folding and heat shock proteins in extremophilic archaea, revealing a novel substrate-shuttling pathway and the mosaic nature of archaeal chaperonins. Currently, as a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF, I study host-pathogen interactions, focusing on how Legionella pneumophila kinase phosphorylates Hsp70 to stall translation, potentially reshaping the host cellular environment. This work bridges my expertise in protein folding with cell biology. Outside the lab, I enjoy creating scientific illustrations, digital and acrylic painting, cooking, and reading. I am eager to connect with fellow scientists to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities.
Manish paul, phd
I was born and raised in a town called Naihati in India. I completed my BS and MS in Zoology from University of Calcutta and West Bengal State University. I pursued Ph.D. in Biotechnology under the supervision of Prof. Hrudayanath Thatoi from MSCB University, Odisha, India. During my Ph.D., I investigated the role of lignocellulolytic microorganisms in the bioethanol production and also worked to improve their efficiency in bioethanol production using different sustainable approaches. During this time, I acquired techniques in advanced microbiology, molecular biology, enzymology, and computational biology. I joined Mukherjee lab in October 2023 as a Postdoctoral research scholar, where my research focus is to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which the bacterium Legionella pneumophila modify host cell biology. I am very fond of visiting new places, listening to music, and enjoying delicious food.
Email: Manish.Paul@ucsf.edu
Techs and Undergraduates
Matt Cronin
Junior specialist
(He/Him)
I grew up in boston and studied biochemistry at Colorado College. There, I worked on multiple projects in the Grover lab and began a project using SERS to observe RNA structures. I was also a summer research assistant at the Steckleberg lab at Columbia University. Where I helped Jenine Gezelle use X-ray Crystallography to study RNA structures that resist exonuclease degradation. Here in the Mukherjee Lab, I’m helping Tom Moss study how phosphorylation of Hsc70 at a specific residue, a post-translational modification discovered in the context of Legionella infection, contributes to the DNA damage response. Outside of the lab, I work in freelance graphic design, and love making art. My favorite hobbies are camping, surfing, backcountry skiing, and anything else that gets me outside.
Email: Matt.cronin@ucsf.edu
Chetan mokkapati
Junior specialist
I grew up in Cupertino California and attended The University of California Santa Barbara, where I received a bachelor of sciences degree in microbiology. I graduated from UCSB in June 2023 and will apply to medical school. I am excited to spend my gap years before med school working at The Mukherjee lab, where I am studying ubiquitination patterns that occur when eukaryotic cells are infected with Legionella. Hopefully, these discoveries can help provide more insight into the complex processes that occur inside our cells! Outside of the lab, I'm usually lazy at home watching YouTube or Netflix, but when I am feeling active I like to spend time weightlifting, backpacking, and playing sports like basketball and volleyball.
Email: Chetan.Mokkapati@ucsf.edu
Alumni
ATTINDER CHADHA - Post Doctoral Fellow (2022-2024)
ALEX WOOLDRIDGE - Junior specialist (2022-2024)
VARUN BHADKAMKAR- Tetrad Ph.D student (Graduated 2023)
ADVAIT SUBRAMANIAN - Post Doctoral Fellow (2018-2023)
ALLISON PASCHACK- Undergraduate researcher (2023-2023)
KATIE FANG- Undergraduate researcher (2022-2023)
TORI TRAN- 1st-year BMS rotation student (Fall 2021)
ARMANDO MARTINEZ- 1st-year Tetrad rotation student (Spring 2021)
CJ SAN FELIPE - 1st-year Tetrad rotation student (Spring 2021)
BRIAN WANG - 1st-year CCB rotation student (Winter 2020)
CJ SARABIA - 1st-year Tetrad rotation student (Fall 2020)
HANA KIMURA - Post-Doctoral Fellow (2018-2020)
JULIA NOACK - Post-Doctoral Fellow (2017-2020)
NNEJIUWA IBE - Tetrad PhD student (Graduated 2020)
ELIAS TAYLOR-CORNEJO - Post-Doctoral Fellow (2016-2020)
STEVEN MOSS - CCB PhD student - joint with Kevan Shokat (Graduated 2019)
RHOGERRY DESHYCKA - 1st year BMS rotation student (Winter 2018)
LILI KIM - 1st Year Tetrad Rotation Student (Fall 2018)
TANYA KUMAR - Summer Research Training Program Student (Summer 2018)
NATALIE WHITIS - 1st year Tetrad Rotation Student (Spring 2018)
HALEY GAUSE - Junior Lab Specialist (August 2017 - July 2018)
RAMIRO PATINO - 1st Year BMS Rotation Student (Winter 2016)
PHILIPP SCHLAERMANN - Post-Doctoral Fellow (2016-2017)
VERONICA ESCALANTE - 1st Year Tetrad Rotation Student (Summer 2016)
REBECCA LEVIN (AKA BECCA) - CCB PhD student - joint with Kevan Shokat (Graduated 2016)