Principle Investigator
Associate Professor, Anna Bezryadina (Bezryadina Preece)
I finished my bachelor degree at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and my Ph.D. at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). I have a wide range experience in optics and photonics , which includes experimental optics, biophotonics, nonlinear quantum optics, high-resolution microscopy, optical trapping, nanotechnology, solar cell fabrication, photothermal deflection spectroscopy, and microbiology.
Current Group Members
Graduate Student, Nathalie Tuazon (August 2024 - now)
Physics and Astronomy Department
I joined the lab as an undegradute student. As Master student, I continue working on research in applied physics while pursuing a PhD. My project focuses on optical acoustic Raman spectroscopy of droplets containing suspended particles.
Graduate Student, Joseph Stanley (March 2025 - now)
Physics Department
I received my bachelors degree in physics at CSUN. My Master’s thesis focuses on antibiotic effectiveness in the early stages of biofilm formation. Once I obtain my masters degree, I plan on continuing my education by going for my PhD in the physics field.
Graduate Student, Richard Mirzoian (May 2025 - now)
Physics Department
I received my bachelors of science in astrophysics at UCLA. I am currently a second year masters student at CSUN studying physics. My research focuses on generating complex optical trapping beams to investigate cellular deformability. I plan to pursue a PhD in Physics/Astronomy and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can in this lab.
Undegraduate Student, Nadia Evans-Lambert (June 2024 - now)
Biology Department
An undergraduate student transferring to CSUN in Fall 2024. I am a U-Rise student. I am majoring in Medical Technology along with minoring in Chemistry. I plan to pursue research in both fields of Biophysics and Medical Technology My research focuses on the effects of different wavelengths of light on bacterial biofilms.
Undegraduate Student, Jesus Poblano (September 2024 - now)
Physics and Astronomy Department
I am a undegradute student at CSUN majoring in Astrophysics, I have a wide range of interests in Physics/Astronomy such as Biophysics and Astrobiology. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in one of these fields. During my time in the lab, I have worked on Raman spectroscopy of microplastics and am now investigating the effects of nanoplastics on cells.
Undegraduate Student, Kendra Sood (December 2025 - now)
Physics and Astronomy Department
I am a junior physics major at CSUN with interests in both biophysics and astrophysics. I joined the lab to gain hands on research experience and to explore the different applications of physics in biology.
Undegraduate Student, Amanda Medjaouri (November 2025 - now)
Physics and Astronomy Department
I am an undergraduate student at CSUN with a concentration in astrophysics. My research focuses on laser systems and their applications in experimental physics. I plan to pursue a PhD in astrophysics after I graduate, and I look forward to expanding my skills through continued work in this lab.
Former Group Members
Undegraduate Student, Cindy Quintanilla (July 2023 - May 2025)
Biology Department
I have been part of U-Rise program at CSUN.
Undegradute thesis "The Effects of Different Wavelengths of Light Illumination on Bacillus subtilis Biofilm Growth"
Undegraduate Student, Mimi Truong (August 2022 - May 2025)
Computer Science Department
I have been part of BUILD PODER program at CSUN.
Graduate Student, Arturo Ramirez (May 2022 - August 2024)
Physics and Astronomy Department
I have been part of Bridges to Ph.D. program at CSUN.
Master's thesis "Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of DNA Suspensions"
After CSUN: Ph.D. program at UC Irvine
Graduate Student, Brooke Walter-Lakes (March 2021 - July 2024)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Master's thesis "Biofilm Formation under Different Light Illumination"
Graduate Student, Noorulhoda Kazemi (February 2022 - June 2024)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Master's thesis "Investigation of Optical Properties of Microplastics"
After CSUN: Ph.D. program at UC Riverside
Undegraduate Student, Czarlyn Camba (July 2021 - August 2023)
Biology Department
I have been part of U-Rise program at CSUN.
Undegradute thesis "Understanding Biofilm Formation with Optical Trapping Effects"
Undegraduate Student, Viktor Nascak (March 2020 - May 2022)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Undegraduate Student, Rebecca Sipen (January 2021 - May 2022)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Undegradute thesis "Light Propagation Effects in Strawberry DNA Suspensions"
After CSUN: Ph.D. at Tufts University
Graduate Student, Swosti Choudhury (August 2021 - December 2021)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Undegraduate Student, Ariel Rayas (August 2020 - September 2021)
Biology Department
Graduate Student, Phillip Digal (May 2019 - May 2021)
Physics and Astronomy Department
After CSUN: Newport Corporation
Undegraduate Student, Cristian Leyva (December 2019 - February 2021)
Double majoring in Cell/Molecular Biology and Medical Technology
Graduate Student, Nicolas Perez (September 2018 - August 2020)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Master thesis "Red Blood Cells Form Waveguides of Light at Tunable Wavelengths."
After CSUN: Ph.D. program at UC Irvine
Graduate Student, Jake Chambers (January 2019 - December 2019)
Physics and Astronomy Department
Summer High School Students
Andres Morin, Sophomore at John Burroughs High School (2024)
Chloe Hsieh, Freshmen at Granada Hills Charter (2024)