Breen Church Lab Members

Kellie Breen Church

Associate Professor

My curiosity in understanding mechanisms controlling reproductive neuroendocrine function began with extensive experience in the sheep model, in which the power of hypothalamic-pituitary portal sampling can be exploited. Applying the fundamentals of hypothesis-driven science, my current research program employs state-of-the-art chemogenic, genetic, and neuroanatomical manipulations using mouse models to understand of how stress-activated neural circuits elicit disrupted reproduction and fertility.

Rodrigo Carrasco, PhD.

Postdoctoral Fellow
UC San Diego

PhD in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Master’s Degree in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile

Michael Kreisman

Research Associate
M.S. UC San Diego

I am a  Senior Research Technician and Laboratory Manager of the Breen Church laboratory since 2014. I pursued my  Master’s Degree in Biology with Dr. Breen investigating the prenatal-programming effects of androgens on pituitary gene regulation. My current  independent research interests involve the regulation of stress-levels of corticosterone on reproductive neuroendocrine activity. I developed the diestrus-like estradiol replacement pellet for gonadectomized female mice that has allowed us to investigate the role of estradiol in modulating the response to stress or glucocorticoids.

Jessica Jang

Undergraduate Researcher
UC San Diego

Doris Howell Scholarship for Undergraduate Research (2021)
Triton Research and Experiential Learning Scholars Award (Spring 2022)
Triton Research and Experiential Learning Scholars Award (Summer 2022)

Jacklyn Jung

Undergraduate Researcher
UC San Diego

Doris Howell Scholarship for Undergraduate Research (2022)

Helen Bell

Undergraduate Researcher
UC San Diego

2023 Endocrine Society REGMS Fellowship
BS/MS Biology (2023-2024)

Samira Feili

Undergraduate Researcher
UC San Diego

Doris Howell Scholarship for Undergraduate Research (2023)

Katie Mostoller

Medical Student Researcher
UC San Diego
Summer 2022

MSTP Rotation (Summer 2022)

Richard McCosh

Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D. West Virginia University
B.S/M.S. Montana State University

F32 Award (2018-2020)
Travel Award: Pan American Neuroendocrine Society(2019)
Endocrine Society Outstanding Abstract Award (2020)
Robert Honda Young Investigator Award (2022)
K99/R00 Award (10/01/2021-08/31/2006)
Tenure Tract Position at Colorado State University (December 2022)   

My long-term goal is to conduct high-quality independent research investigating the neural pathways that alter gonadotropin secretion and therefore regulate fertility. My training experiences position me to effectively and efficiently use a combination of powerful sheep and mouse models to address some major outstanding questions regarding the control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the apex central regulator of reproduction, such as: (1) what are the cellular and molecular components of the GnRH pulse generator and GnRH surge-induction system?; (2) what stimuli (e.g. stress) alter gonadotropin secretion?; (3) how are these stimuli sensed and conveyed to the GnRH pulse generator or GnRH surge induction system?; and (4) how do gonadal steroids influence sensitivity to these stimuli?

Kirollos Tadrousse

Undergraduate Researcher (2018-2022)
UC San Diego

Senior Honors Thesis June 2022 (expected) 
University of Toledo MedStart Program Recipient (2022-2026)
Doris Howell Scholarship for Undergraduate Research (2020)
Ledell Family Scholarship for Undergraduate Research (2019)

Katherine Tian

Undergraduate Researcher (2015-2020)
UC San Diego

Eureka! Scholarship (2017) 
UC San Diego Chancellor's Research Excellence Scholarship Award (2018)
Endocrine Society Fellowship (2019)
Saint Louis University School of Medicine (2020-2024)

Katherine Makowski

Animal Care Program Medical Researcher (2018-2019)
UC San Diego

Presentation PanAmerican Neuroendocrinology Meeting, New Orleans, LO. (2019)

Ali Raad

Undergraduate Researcher (2017-2019)
UC San Diego

Eureka! Scholarship (2019) 

Christopher Song

Undergraduate Researcher (2014-2017)
UC San Diego

Eureka! Scholarship (2015) 
UC San Diego Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program Award (2016)
Senior Honors Thesis (2017)
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2018-2022)

Sharon Chaing

Research Associate (2014-2016)
M.S. UC San Diego

Morsani School of Medicine (2016-2020)

Kathleen Yip

HHMI Research Fellow from Cleveland Clinic (2013-2014)
UC San Diego

Honors Thesis (2014)
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (2011-2015)

Elena Luo

Research Associate (2013-2014)
UC San Diego

Loma Linda School of Medicine (2014-2018)