Kenya Bonitto, BS

Hi everyone! My name is Kenya Bonitto and I am from Houston, TX. I recently graduated from UCLA where I majored in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and minored in Biomedical Research. At UCLA, I was a part of an NIH T34 Program called Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC). During my time as a MARC scholar, I worked in two labs at UCLA. I conducted research in Dr. Jesse Zamudio’s lab where I studied how small noncoding RNAs regulate the cell cycle. I also worked in Dr. Hilary Coller’s lab where I studied the epigenetic state changes during cellular quiescence. Specifically, I explored how the upregulation of H4K20me3 plays a role in maintaining quiescence. I am currently interested in exploring how RNA biology and epigenetic state changes work together in disease states such as cancer. I am excited to pursue these interests at UCSF as a PhD student in the Tetrad Program and as a part of the NIH-funded T32 fellowship called the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program. When I am not in lab, I enjoy going to the beach, trying new foods, singing in choir, and trying different coffee shops.