Moira McMahon

Alma Mater: UC Berkeley; B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology

Matriculation Year: 2024

Current Stage: MS1

Graduate Group: NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program

Ph.D. Mentor: n/a

About Moira: Raised in Davis, Moira began her research journey with UC Davis in 2016 as a high school student, spending two summers (2016, 2018) under the mentorship of Dr. Lillian Cruz-Orengo (UCDVM, Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology) studying neuroinflammation in a mouse model for Multiple Sclerosis. In 2017, she joined the lab of Dr. Chengji Zhou (UCD; Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine) at Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento, where she studied the role of Wnt signaling in neural tube and maxillofacial development (2017, 2019-2023). During the summer of 2023, she also worked with the lab of Dr. Amir Zeki (UCDSOM; Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine), working on tissue culture and animal models for asthma. Most recently before beginning the MD/PhD Program (2024-), she worked with the lab of Dr. Cameron Sadegh (UCDSOM; Neurological Surgery) researching gene therapy options for post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. 

Outside of lab, Moira enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, traveling, and all creative activities!

Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in autoimmunity and development

Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/moira.mcmahon.2/bibliography/public/