Our Team

Vivian is originally from Cuba where she graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Havana. She moved to Chile in 2003 where she pursued her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Valparaiso. Later, she completed her training at the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Lingle at Washington Univ. Dept. of Anesthesiology, first as a Postdoc and then as an Instructor. Her research interest focuses on understanding how the function of membrane ion channels modulates cellular responses in excitable (neurons) and non-excitable cells (particularly glial and epithelial cells) to maintain homeostasis and how their dysregulation contributes to chronic inflammatory diseases.

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, followed by a Master of Science in India. In 2023, I joined DCM at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), where I gained hands-on experience in handling laboratory mice, further nurturing my passion for working with animals in research. In June 2024, I joined Vivian’s Lab to study how looking at both regular and genetically modified mice helps us understand the role of different genes and proteins. Aside from my work, I love hanging out in nature – whether sitting by lakeside, exploring hiking trails or just enjoying some cooking and dancing. These activities really boost my mood and spark my creativity.

Gardenia is a postdoctoral research associate in Vivian Gonzalez-Perez’s Lab. She is a microbiologist and molecular biologist interested in understanding the molecular interactions between microorganisms and hosts. She holds a degree in Microbiology from the University of Havana, Cuba. She then received her Ph.D. from Austral University in Chile. While there, she described the signaling pathways associated with immunosuppression induced by viral pathogens in salmonid fish. Currently, she is expanding her scientific horizons in her postdoctoral training in the Anesthesiology Department at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Payne is now focusing on how the regulation of ion channel activity and expression impacts cellular, physiological, and pathogenic processes, particularly in the contexts of intestinal inflammation and normal colon physiology. Outside of work, she is passionate about nature and activities outdoors such as bicycling, hiking, and going to the sea. Also, she enjoys taking and editing photography and dancing.