Jorge Oksenberg, PhD.
Principal InvestigatorDr. Oksenberg is the G.A. Zimmermann Endowed Chair in Neurology. As a native from Argentina, Dr. Oksenberg received his Ph.D. in Immunology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and joined the UCSF faculty in 1993 following post-doctoral training at Stanford University. Since 1979 his research has focused in the areas of human immunogenetics and the control of the immune response. He has authored numerous publication and scholarly reviews in the field and is a leading investigator in the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium.
contact: jorge.oksenberg@ucsf.edu
Ali Yousefian Jazi, PhD.
Assistant Professional ResearcherAli joined the group in August 2025 as an Assistant Professional Researcher. He received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Seoul National University (South Korea), where he developed a post-GWAS analysis tool based on deep learning. During his postdoctoral training at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, he led projects understanding the roles of gene regulation and epigenetic modification in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Since joining UCSF, his research has focused on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of multiple sclerosis.
contact: ali.yousefianjazi@ucsf.edu
Stacy Caillier
Biorepository ManagerStacy started working with the Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Research Group in July of 1998, after graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a bachelor degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. In addition to heading up the DNA genotyping projects, she works in quantitative PCR, and SNP/expression chips. More recently, Stacy is leading the application of immunological assays to assess the functional role of genetic variants associated with multiple sclerosis susceptibility and progression.
contact: stacy.caillier@ucsf.edu
Rosa Guerrero
Bio-specimens TechnicianRosa started working with the group in July of 2004 after working at the UCSF DNA Bank. Rosa's primary responsibility is the isolation of high quality nucleic acids from blood samples received from across the United States and abroad for genetic studies in multiple sclerosis.
contact: rosa.guerrero@ucsf.edu
Emily Alvarez
Bio-specimens TechnicianEmily started working with the Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Research Group in October 2024 as a Laboratory Assistant after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with degrees in Spanish and Molecular and Cell Biology, with an emphasis in immunology. In the lab her roles include the isolation of high-quality nucleic acids from blood samples and sample storage for genetic clinical and laboratory studies.
contact: emily.alvarez@ucsf.edu
Janet Yau
Administrative SupportJanet came to us with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and her position covers a wide variety of responsibilities related to purchasing and funds management. She also plays a key role in assuring smooth daily lab operations.
contact: janet.yau@ucsf.edu
Adam Santaniello
Database ManagerAdam has a B.S. in Engineering Science with Tau Beta Pi honors from Tufts University in Medford, MA. His prior experience includes software development and project management for consulting and financial services firms. He joined our lab in November 2007 and is leading the integration and enhancement of the lab's data sources.
contact: adam.santaniello@ucsf.edu
Adam Renschen
Data Systems AnalystAdam Renschen joined the Genetics Laboratory in October 2016 as a web developer and member of the data management team. He has designed, built, and deployed websites, databases, and API's to securely make research data available to remote consumers. He assists with the management of the laboratory databases and provides general IT support.
contact: adam.renschen@ucsf.edu