Current lab members

Dr. Lisa A. Miller, Ph.D.

Principal investigator

Dr. Lisa A. Miller is a Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Miller received her Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from UC Davis and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology at Stanford University. She serves as the Associate Director of Research, Cardiorespiratory Diseases Unit Leader, and Inhalation Exposure Core Leader at the California National Primate Research Center, which is one of seven National Primate Research Centers supported by the NIH. Dr. Miller’s research is focused on investigating the impact of environmental exposures on pulmonary and immune system development during early life. She uses small and large animal models, as well as cell culture approaches to address questions related to mucosal immune mechanisms in pediatric populations, with an emphasis on understanding susceptibility to lung disease in children. Dr. Miller’s work on California wildfire smoke exposure in young rhesus monkeys has been frequently highlighted by global news media. [ read more ]

Dr. Giang Vu Vi Tran, Ph.D.

Project scientist

I am a Project Scientist at the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California, Davis, under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Miller. My research focuses on the immune response to viral infection and the impact of e-cigarette exposure on the neonatal health of primate and mouse models. I hold a Ph.D. in Immunology of Infectious Disease and have a background in both adaptive and innate immunity response.

Krista Thongphanh, M.S.

PhD student

I'm a Graduate Student Researcher in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Group. I graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor's in Microbiology, pursued research in both academic and industry settings, and then went on to complete a Master's degree in Stem Cell Biology at Sacramento State. In the Miller lab, I am utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into lung progenitors to investigate the toxicological effects of E-cigarette constituents. For fun, I take spin classes, troubleshoot dessert recipes, and watch anime.

Taylor Westmont, B.S.

PhD student

My name is Taylor Westmont and I am a Graduate Student Researcher. I am in the Graduate Group of Immunology as well as the Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology. I went to Tufts University and received a B.S. in Biology. Science excites me not only because I find it interesting but because with science we have the potential to change and save people’s lives. In the Miller lab I am working on understanding why pediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to respiratory diseases, including influenza. Specifically I am looking into the role of the lung microbiome as well as the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in mucosal immunity. Outside of lab I enjoy reading books, drinking tea, eating chocolate, and listening to music.

Gabrielle Lewis

Undergraduate student

Alexander Guess

Undergraduate student