TECHNOLOGY

Clinical Research Core

Translating the biology of aging to human research and health

Advancing the biology of aging towards human health applications

The mission of the Clinical Research Core at the Buck Institute is to accelerate the progress of translational geroscience to improve healthy aging for all people. The Core enables innovative, human-focused basic science of aging as well as carrying out early-stage, proof-of-concept clinical trials to test ideas and mechanisms that emerge from the laboratory. We specialize in older adults, but we conduct research across the lifespan. Aging affects every one of us, so we are committed to community-engaged, inclusive research involving diverse individuals and communities that represent all of us.

Information about active clinical studies can be found here:

Buck Clinical Trials

John Newman, MD, PhD . Co-Director, Clinical Research Core
Dr. Newman is an assistant professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and in the Division of Geriatrics at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). His career goal is to translate our expanding understanding of aging biology to improve the care and help maintain the independence of older adults. His research at the Buck Institute studies the molecular details of how diet and fasting regulate the genes and pathways that in turn control aging, focusing on the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate and how its molecular signaling activities involving epigenetics and inflammation regulate aging and memory in mice. 

Dr. Newman is also a geriatrician at UCSF who cares for hospitalized older adults, focusing on preserving mobility and preventing delirium. His undergraduate education was at Yale University, with a BS/MS in molecular biophysics and biochemistry that included studying growth factor signaling in the roundworm C. elegans. He completed an MD/PhD at the University of Washington, where his graduate work studies focused on the progeroid Cockayne syndrome with Dr. Alan Weiner. While at UW, he developed new bioinformatics tools for the analysis of patterns in gene expression data. He then completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship training in geriatric medicine at UCSF. He is an National Institute on Aging Beeson Scholar.

Dr. Newman is a native of Long Island, New York, and a lifelong Mets fan. He has lived in San Francisco since 2008. He enjoys playing volleyball, watching baseball, exploring the natural beauty of the Bay Area, and having fun food experiences.
Brianna Stubbs. PhD . Co-Director, Clinical Research Core
Research Assistant Professor & Director of Translational Science
Dr. Stubbs is a world expert in exogenous ketone metabolism and its implications for performance, resilience and health-span. She completed her PhD in Metabolic Physiology at the University of Oxford, studying the metabolism and the application of exogenous ketone salts and esters. Whilst completing her studies, she competed on the British International Rowing Team, and was a two-time World Champion lightweight athlete. Brianna is currently Lead Translational Scientist in the Business Development Team at The Buck Institute for Research on Aging where she is focused on the translation of ketone body research into consumer products and drugs that target healthy aging.
Thelma Garcia. PhD . Administrative Director of Clinical Research
Dr. Thelma Garcia is the Newman Lab Senior Scientific & Administrative Laboratory Manager and Advisor. Her prior research project involved maintaining a comprehensive database of ketone body metabolics. Thelma is primarily interested in glucose and insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure, lipid metabolism, and other potential metabolic effects of BHB and its structural analogs. She also enjoys expanding her mentoring skills and takes pride in training, supervising, and maintaining lab relationships while addressing inequities in the workplace for all historically marginalized groups. She proactively assesses the needs of the scientists and develops methods to enable the efficient functioning of the lab. Moreover, she coordinates with relevant departments and collaborating research institutions to ensure the needs of all scientists are met.

Dr. Garcia also serves as a hands-on research project manager. She assists scientists in planning and troubleshooting experiments to promote awareness and communication in the lab. As a safety lab officer, Thelma ensures full compliance, updates, and modifications of Biological User Authorizations (BUA, BSL-2), IACUC, IRB and any other permits for all projects. In the role of lab administrator, she manages capitals and budgets, resource requirements, and financial budget analysis, in addition to grant support.

She is an exemplary role model for the students of the Newman lab from starting her academic career as a first-generation college student herself and becoming an amazing and inspiring Latina leader for the team. She is also deeply invested in using best practices to increase student learning, reduce barriers and close the opportunity gap. She believes that everyone can be a capable STEM learner. Her passion and calling for equity in education through research in science is her engine. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, and later completed doctoral studies in Chemistry at UC Davis. As a APHL-CDC/NCEH Environmental Health Fellow postdoctoral fellow, her focus was in human biochemistry/toxicology.
Laura Alexander, RN . Clinical Research Nurse
Laura grew up in the Chicago area and attended Northern Illinois University where she received her Bachelors in Nursing. She is a registered nurse with 40+ years experience, fifteen of those in management. Her most recent position was Director of Nursing at a long term care facility where she fell in love with her elderly patients and became a strong advocate for the elderly population. She has started her own business as a medical foot care specialist for seniors. Laura is new to research and is excited to learn all she can at The Buck. She has lived in San Rafael with her husband, Jon since 1987. She has four grown sons, three daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. Her outside interests include outrigger canoeing, camping, baking, photography and writing and she is always looking for a new adventure.
Katheryn Ehlen . Clinical Research Associate
Katheryn completed her B.S. in Public Health- Epidemiology from UC San Diego in 2024 where she also worked as a research assistant. Post graduation, she continued working as a clinical research coordinator for the Parkinson’s and Other Movement Disorders Center at UCSDHealth. Outside of the office, Katheryn enjoys reading, baking, and exploring the local area.

KEhlen@buckinstitute.org
Jyotika Erram . Clinical Recruitment Specialist
Jyotika grew up in Benicia, CA, where she found a love of philanthropy through her local Interact and Rotary Club. She completed her B.S. in kinesiology and M.S. in exercise physiology at San Diego State University under the mentorship of Dr. Danial Cannon. With a passion for human physiology, she went on to research the effects of pre-term birth on the work-of-breathing in adults at Northern Arizona University. She then went on to research the effects of Native American ancestry on glucose tolerance and cardiovascular health, while mastering the Flow Mediated Dilation measurement technique. While conducting her research she worked as both an educator and for the Flagstaff community as a Crisis Care Manager. She is dedicated to ensuring human research represents all the people in our communities and making scientific research accessible to all. In her spare time, Jyotika loves spending time in nature and finding adventure. She recently tackled a month long solo cross-country adventure taking her through 21 states and to 10 U.S. National Parks. Her goal is to visit all national parks in the U.S. and Canada, before going on to visit all 7 continents.

JErram@buckinstitute.org
Caitlyn Fastenau, PhD . Postdoctoral Researcher
Caitlyn grew up in Southern California and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and minor in Aging and Adult Development at UC Davis in 2020. During her undergraduate education, Caitlyn conducted participant-based research on bilingualism and mild cognitive impairment in older adults. This research sparked a passion for the biology of aging. Caitlyn went on to pursue her PhD at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, focused on the Biology of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease biology. During her graduate research, Caitlyn explored unique post-translational modifications in post-mortem human brain tissue. Her work identified novel sugar modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease brain tissue, resulting in various publications. Outside of the lab, Caitlyn is a passionate science advocate and dedicates much of her time to working with the Alzheimer’s Association. She also enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, traveling with her husband and family, and experimenting with new crafts.

CFastenau@buckinstitute.org
Prabin Gharti . Clinical Research Associate
Prabin was born and raised in the vibrant city of Kathmandu, Nepal, where he attended a military high school that instilled discipline and resilience early on. Eager to pursue higher education, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, beginning his academic journey at the College of San Mateo, where he earned an Associate’s degree in molecular biology. He later transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in December 2024 with a degree of BS in integrative human biology. During his time at Cal, Prabin worked as a Research Assistant in both the Tarvin Lab and the Evolutionary Genetics Lab, where he sharpened his skills in scientific literature review and a wide range of molecular biology techniques, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing and so on. One of his most exciting projects involved California and Rough-skinned newts, where he contributed to uncovering active hybridization between the species. He also helped investigate a fascinating hypothesis: that these newts may be harnessing tetrodotoxin from symbiotic bacteria on their skin—a project that combined genotyping with RNA transcriptomics. Though his current focus lies in biology, Prabin’s scientific curiosity spans disciplines. A former physics major, he remains captivated by quantum mechanics and loves diving into conversations about relativity, the butterfly effect, hyperinflation theory, multiverse theory, and string theory. Outside the lab, Prabin is an avid hiker, a fan of spontaneous road trips, and is slowly getting back into his running routine. He sees science not just as a field of study, but as a guiding force for human progress—believing that our greatest hope as a civilization lies in trusting science and pushing its boundaries.

PGharti@buckinstitute.org
Susan Gross, MD . Clinical Research Physician
Dr. Susan Gross is a physician with over two decades of experience in family and sports medicine, and leadership within healthcare systems. She most recently served as Senior Physician at The Permanente Medical Group in San Rafael, California, where she held several leadership roles, including Elected Director on the TPMG Corporate Board (2018-2024). Dr. Gross’s career has focused on advancing healthcare and well-being, particularly through exercise and community health initiatives. She has been active in promoting brain health following concussions and served as team physician for St. Vincent de Paul High School and as a captain of the Nike Women’s Marathon medical tent. Dr. Gross earned her Doctor of Medicine, cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. She is board-certified in Family, Sports, and Lifestyle Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, various outdoor activities and travel.
Eduardo Hernandez . Clinical Research Associate
Eduardo earned his B.S. in microbiology and M.S. in cell and molecular biology from San Francisco State University. He has gained valuable research experience in both San Francisco and New York. Eduardo is passionate about bridging science and clinical care and aspires to become a physician-scientist. His hobbies include playing soccer, photography, art, sketching, kickboxing, running, attending concerts, and
spending time with friends.

ehernandez1@buckinstitute.org
Ester Hernandez . Bilingual Clinical Researcher Associate
Ester was born in Mexico and raised in Fresno, California. Ester completed her B.S. in biochemistry at Sonoma State University in 2020. When she was 18, she began working as a certified nurse assistant in long-term care facilities. During college she worked as a caregiver and nursing assistant at her community hospital. Her experience with vulnerable patients such as those with Alzheimer's and dementia has inspired her to pursue a medical career in the future. Additionally, she worked for LGC Biosearch Technologies for two years as a member of the purification team. During her free time, Ester enjoys hiking the mountains, cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, exploring coffee shops, taking photographs, and spending time with her sisters.
Natalie Hoffman . Clinical Research Nurse
Natalie's interest in research precedes her nursing career. She is a former journalist who pursued a career in nursing after writing a series of in-depth articles for the Napa Valley Register about the emergency department of Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa.

Natalie graduated from Sonoma State University's pre-licensure nursing program in 2016. Her nursing background includes medical-surgical, telemetry and hospice experience. She also worked in a rural Federally Qualified Health Center.

Natalie is fascinated by how modifiable and non-modifiable factors and epigenetics as a whole impact health throughout the human lifespan.

Natalie and her husband of 20 years, Mike, enjoy taking long walks with their dog, traveling, and gardening. Natalie enjoys reading biographies, and is passionate about social justice.

NHoffman@buckinstitute.org
Deborah Krueger . Clinical Research Nurse
dkrueger@buckinstitute.org
Alison Le . Clinical Project Manager
Alison Le is a clinical research professional with over a decade of experience supporting and leading clinical trials in academic, hospital, and private research settings. She is currently a Project Manager at the Buck Institute for Research, where she oversees the operations of the TIME trial. Her role includes managing day-to-day study activities, regulatory documentation, and coordination among investigators, sponsors, and research staff. Prior to joining the Buck Institute, Alison held positions at Cedars-Sinai, UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, and Science 37, among others. Her work has spanned therapeutic areas including dermatology, oncology, cardiovascular medicine, and decentralized trials. Outside of work, Alison enjoys exploring local farmers markets, spending time with her rescue cats, and discovering new restaurants around Northern California. She has a lifelong interest in European cars, food science, skincare, and the intersection of health and technology.

ale@buckinstitute.org
Sophia Lee . Clinical Research Associate
Sophia was born and raised in the South San Francisco Bay Area and earned her BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University. During her final semester, she took an elective on the biology of aging, which ignited her passion for aging research—an area she believes holds the key to the future of medical advancements, especially in personalized, precision, and preventative medicine. This interest led her to apply for a position at the Buck Institute. At Buck, Sophia aims to gain valuable experience in building strong relationships with participants, collaborating with a dedicated team, and exploring clinical research as she prepares for a career in medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys running and hiking with family and friends, discovering new coffee shops, and cooking.

slee1@buckinstitute.org
Susan Schneider, MD, MSPH . Clinical Research Physician
Chat Senadheera . Clinical Operations Manager
Chatura is a Clinical Research Associate working on the Buck Clinical Unit set up to carry out research on human volunteers. He received his B.S in biotechnology and M.S in molecular life sciences research from Kings College London in the UK and a Diploma in clinical pharmacology practice from the University of West London. He has worked in microbiology laboratory at Kings College London on characterizing antibiotic profiles in mobile genetic elements as well as in a molecular biology laboratory in the Department of Virology in the University of Cambridge where he worked on RNA virus translation mechanisms. He has worked in the field of clinical research for over a decade at a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) in London, Hammersmith Medicines Research, which specialized in early phase (phase I & II) clinical trials of study drugs for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. When he is not working, he will be found cooking, reading and exploring his local area for foodie hidden gems.
Wendie Silverman-Martin, RN . Clinical Research Nurse
Wendie grew up in New York City and moved to California in 1972 where she embarked on a career as an International Flight Attendant flying for a Charter Airlines which transported the Military & Vacationers overseas, and participated in special missions in Africa and Asia (Boat People flights, The Hadj Muslim Pilgrimage, Angola Airlift). After 12 years of flying around the world, Wendie went back to school and achieved a Masters Degree in Nursing. She has taught students in a Nursing Program, holds a Certification as an Infusion Nurse, and is now a Clinical Research Nurse which she enjoys very much. Wendie lives in Point Richmond with her Husband and Cat =^..^=
Outside Interests include: Reading (presently in two book clubs), Gym workouts, sunrise walks, swimming, an avid Mah Jongg player, tending her many household and garden plants, cooking, and sailing on the Bay.

wsilvermanmartin@buckinstitute.org
Elizabeth Stephens . Clinical Research Associate
Liz Stephens holds a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Cell Science with a concentration in Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of Florida. She earned her B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2023, along with minors in Molecular Biochemistry and Philosophy, with an emphasis in Ethics, Law, and Politics.

With over eight years of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Critical Care Technician, Liz has cultivated a deep appreciation for the resilience of older adults and a curiosity about the science of aging. She is passionate about lifelong learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and making science more human-centered.

Outside the lab and clinic, Liz is a baker, pianist, and fantasy enthusiast who thrives in creative spaces. She spends her weekends exploring the forests and coastlines of Northern California, sharing life with her beloved cat Gizmo and a rotating cast of Dungeons & Dragons characters.