People

Joi Gonzales is from Richmond, CA — the city where she discovered her passion for addressing community needs through science. She went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University. There, she was involved in a number of research projects, including work on characterizing human embryonic hip and knee joint development through an evolutionary medicine lens. Joi is now a postbaccalaureate scholar at the School of Medicine. She is excited to engage her passion for gynecological health and interest in stem cell biology with her time in the Molè lab. Outside of lab, she enjoys time outdoors, exploring new food with friends, and creative writing.

Nicole Horsley is a current PhD candidate in Stanford's Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine program, originally hails from Portland, Oregon. Throughout her journey, which included a six-year stint in the Air Force, she has cultivated a love for contemplating the intricacies of early development. Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds joy in outdoor adventures such as skiing, hiking, and skydiving. Her overarching aim is to merge insights from various scientific disciplines to advance stem cell models, with the ultimate goal of authentically replicating the complexities of development and embryogenesis in a dish.

Magdalena Ladrón de Guevara, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D., is a developmental and reproductive biologist with a multidisciplinary background spanning veterinary medicine, molecular biology, and advanced reproductive technologies. Originally from Argentina, she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Universidad Católica de Córdoba, specializing in animal production and public health. Driven by a growing interest in reproductive science, she pursued a master’s degree in Animal Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnology in Spain, where she also conducted research at INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria) on bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development.

Magdalena further expanded her expertise at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), where she served as an Embryo Transfer Technician and Group Technician in the Novarino Lab. There, she was responsible for generating genetically modified mouse models using CRISPR/Cas9 and embryo manipulation techniques, including electroporation, microinjection, and in utero viral delivery. She was also instrumental in establishing protocols and infrastructure for the transgenic core facility.

Most recently, she completed her Ph.D. in Reproductive and Developmental Biology at the Università degli Studi di Milano, as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie-funded EUROVA training network. Her doctoral research focused on somatic signaling pathways regulating mRNA translation in mammalian oocytes, with broader implications for understanding oocyte competence and optimizing assisted reproductive strategies. In parallel, she contributed to the CO-MATRIX project, investigating extracellular matrix markers of follicular development and oocyte quality using bovine models.

Across each of these stages, Magdalena has developed a unique blend of hands-on expertise in embryology, bioinformatics, gene regulation, and translational reproductive biology — laying a strong foundation for her current and future research in early developmental processes and human implantation.

For fun, Magdalena enjoys going to the gym and spending time at the beach, lakes, or rivers. She is a big fan of water and nature, and likes to go hiking to recharge her energy.

Zach joined the lab in Summer 2025 as a student in the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine PhD program. Born and raised in Florida, he has survived many hurricane seasons and alligator encounters. Nevertheless, he stuck around to attend the New College of Florida, where he graduated with a BA in Biochemistry in 2019. He then completed a Post-baccalaureate IRTA Fellowship at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, studying rare, metabolic bone disorders such as fibrous dysplasia. In the Molè lab, Zach is excited to pivot to reproductive health and investigate cellular signalling between the embryo and maternal endometrium necessary for successful implantation. Outside of the lab, you can find him experimenting in the kitchen, running around in the woods, or hanging out with friends.

Dr. Xixi Plummer is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow in the department of OB/GYN and jointly mentored by Drs. Matteo Molè and Virginia D Winn. She completed an MD/PhD at the University of Michigan where her thesis work was focused on understanding neurodevelopment in epilepsy using animal and stem cell models. She went on to complete OB/GYN residency at Case Western Reserve University and subsequently moved to California for fellowship. She is interested in studying placental development in the context of preeclampsia and other obstetrical conditions. Outside of the workplace, she enjoys spending time with her family, riding her Peloton and being outdoors.

Odette Vera was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular & Molecular Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from Westmont College. After completing her studies, she volunteered at the Hospital del Niño y la Mujer in Querétaro, México. Currently, she is a Biomedical graduate student and a CIRM Bridges Science Master’s trainee, visiting the Molè Lab from San Francisco State University. Her previous research at the University of California, Santa Barbara focused on understanding behavior in Drosophila melanogaster in the absence of external cues. Now, she is eager to broaden her expertise in reproductive health during her time at the Molè Lab. Outside of academics, Odette enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Originally from New Jersey, Davita is now an undergraduate at Stanford majoring in Human Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Foundations of Human Development. She is extremely passionate about addressing women’s health disparities and the field of developmental biology. Previously, Davita worked in the Baker Lab, studying the role of endogenous retroviruses at the maternal-fetal interface in placental signaling. Outside of academics, she loves reading, hiking with friends, and film photography.