UCSF’s innovative, collaborative approach to patient care, research and education spans disciplines across the life sciences, making it a world leader in scientific discovery and its translation to improving health.
Miraal grew up in Pakistan and England before moving to California, where she recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA degree in cognitive science. At Berkeley, she worked at the Jagust Lab, studying atrophy patterns in relation to aging and Alzheimer’s disease. She is currently an assistant clinical research coordinator in the Rabinovici Lab.
In her free time, Miraal enjoys swimming, spending time outside, reading, and exploring new coffee shops.
Dr. Silvia Russo is a board-certified neurologist specializing in behavioral neurology. She graduated summa cum laude from San Raffaele University School of Medicine in Milan, Italy, and completed a visiting scholarship at UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center, where she gained valuable experience in neurodegenerative disorders and developed a deeper commitment to caring for aging patients with cognitive decline.
Shirley was born in Guangzhou, China, and grew up in Los Angeles. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in pharmacology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a certified pharmacy technician and gained patient care experience in the emergency department and the surgical nursing floor at USC Arcadia Hospital.
Rayna was born and raised in Shenzhen, China. She holds an MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Cambridge and dual BA degrees in English and Digital Media from the University of Rochester. At the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, she works as a clinical research coordinator in Dr. Tee’s lab, supporting study coordination and participant engagement for Chinese-speaking populations.
Joanne (Joe) Wu was born in Taishan, China, and moved to San Francisco at a young age. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human biology from the University of California, San Diego. As an undergraduate researcher in the Zheng Lab at UC San Diego School of Medicine, she focused on spinal cord regeneration in mouse models.
Ally earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2025. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a research assistant in the Diversity in Development Lab, where she investigated the emergence of social awareness and bias in young children. Currently, Ally serves as an assistant clinical research coordinator at the ALBA Lab’s Dyslexia Center at UCSF.
Dr. Jake Levy, originally from Montreal, Quebec, has aspired to be a behavioral neurologist since the age of 12. He earned both his medical degree and a Master of Science at McGill University, followed by a neurology residency at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Currently, his primary interests lie in clinical trials, biomarkers, and atypical dementias.
Outside of work, Jake enjoys running, hiking, exploring new cuisines, and cheering for the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.
