Dr. Luis E. Contreras-Llano
Chair
Department of Biomedical Engineering
I hold a B.E. and an M.S. in Biotechnology from UPT and UDLAP in Mexico, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of California, Davis. My research, at the interface of biochemistry, biotechnology, and synthetic biology, has been published in leading journals including Nature Protocols, Nature Communications, Advanced Science, Nature Chemical Biology, and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
I envision a career applying a holistic approach to science to drive therapeutic innovations in areas where current technologies are limited—making treatments more effective, scalable, and accessible to patients. I am equally committed to training the next generation of scientists in the biological sciences, biotechnology, and bioengineering, equipping them to address critical challenges through innovation and interdisciplinary thinking.
As Chair of the Postdoctoral Scholars Association at UC Davis, I am responsible for connecting faculty, university administration, and career development resources with the postdoctoral scholar community. This year, I aim to launch new initiatives to expand access to mental health resources, strengthen career advancement opportunities, improve conflict resolution mechanisms, and advocate for transparent hiring practices. I am privileged to work alongside an outstanding PSA board, and together we are committed to empowering our community by fostering ideas, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and ensuring that every scholar’s research and talent can thrive.
Dr. Esther Asamudo
Vice Chair
Department of Pharmacology
I am a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of California, Davis. I earned my Ph.D. in Physiology at the University of Otago, New Zealand, where I studied the regulation of cardiac function by nitric oxide and cardiac proteins. Prior to that, I obtained my M.Sc. in Medical Physiology from the University of East London, United Kingdom, and my B.Sc. in Human Physiology from the University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Currently, I study cardiac proteins involved in heart disease and the effects of post-translational modifications on disease progression. My research goal is to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie heart diseases, ultimately aiming to refine therapeutic approaches and interventions for heart disease patients.
Beyond my scientific pursuits, I host local events in the city of Davis. I enjoy photography, cinematography, and exploring the world through travel.
Dr. Fereshteh Kordrostami
Secretary
UC Davis Institute of the Environment
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Institute of the Environment. Currently, my research interests include watershed modeling with SWAT/SWAT+, meteorological and hydrological data processing and data reconstruction, uncertainty analysis of model parameters.
I obtained my B.S. Forestry, Mazandaran University, Iran and a M.S. Silviculture and Forest Ecology, University of Tehran, Iran. I completed my PhD in Forest Ecology, University of Tehran, Iran, 2020.
As PSA Secretary, I aim to plan board meetings; assist in organizing and facilitating the logistics associated with the PSA Travel grant. I will also manage, distribute, and process the yearly PSA survey; and procure and collate information for the PSA Newsletter.
Dr. Han Peng
Treasurer
Department of Food Science and Technology
I am Han, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis. I earned my Ph.D. in Food Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada (2023), conducting extensive research on the enzymatic synthesis of polyphenol derivatives and the exploration of novel bioactive compounds from agri-food by-products. He also holds an MSc (2017) in Nutrition and Food Hygiene and a Beng (2014) in Biological Engineering, both from Nanchang University in Mainland, China.
In UC Davis, I focus on carbohydrate extraction, characterization, and quantification, bridging multiple disciplines to explore the health-promoting potential of plant-based food materials, particularly the multi-omics studies of prebiotic carbohydrates found in food waste, such as pomegranate and grape pomace, aiming to unlock their values for sustainable food systems and functional foods.
In addition to his research, Han is dedicated to advancing the scientific community through public service, including editorial work and peer review. Outside of academia, Han contributes to local initiatives, such as the International Festival Weekend in Davis, CA, and supports sustainable practices in community gardening. His passion lies in advancing food science to create a healthier and more sustainable global food system.
Dr. Abhishek Kumar
Career Development Officer
Department of Land, Air and Water Resources
I am an interdisciplinary environmental researcher with nearly eight years of academic and research experience, specializing in biochar applications, soil remediation, and sustainable waste management. My expertise spans biochar modifications, human health risk assessment, air pollution tolerance, and composting, with a strong focus on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing soil health.
I have authored 28 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, contributed 7 book chapters, and presented at 20 conferences. I serve as a guest editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems and sit on the editorial boards of AgroEnvironmental Sustainability and the Journal of Health and Environmental Research. I am also an active reviewer for leading journals such as Environmental Pollution, Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, and the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, among others.
In 2025, I was honored as a Science Translator by the California Council of Science and Technology (CCST, USA) and selected as one of only 20 postdocs to present at the inaugural postdoc talks at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference (AAAS). Over the years, my work has earned me several prestigious awards, including the Student of the Year award from the Human Resource Development Ministry (India), a Certificate of Merit for ranking in the top 0.1% of successful candidates (India), the Outstanding Paper Award by the journal Biochar (2023–24), and multiple best presenter and travel grant awards at international conferences.
I am working on research projects including the Soil health improvements using Soratan Biochar and Co-composting by Towing (Japan, 2025–2026); a USDA-funded project on biochar modification for soil health (2024–2025); and the Shell International Exploration and Production Inc.-funded project on co-composting biochar to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and evaluate compost quality (2023–2025). I have also worked on the CarbonHub (Rice University, Texas, USA) initiative (2023–2025) exploring novel applications of VACS for nutrient capture and pollution control, and the University Grants Commission-funded project (2018–2023) at Birla Institute of Technology, India, focusing on biochar applications for improving soil quality and removing heavy metals from contaminated soils.
Concurrently, I mentor students, foster innovation, and actively translate scientific research into practical, field-scale solutions. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy playing sports such as cricket, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and chess. I also love watching movies, comedy videos, going to the gym, and listening to music, as well as spending time with friends and appreciating humour in everyday life. My future endeavors are aimed at tackling critical environmental challenges—particularly in remediation, waste management, and climate change mitigation—while promoting sustainable development and advancing the circular economy.
Dr. Julie Bannon
Relations Officer
Department of Psychology
