Lab Alumni

Logan Chin joined the de Leon Lab in Summer 2023 and works as an undergraduate intern with the CATS (Cognitive Assessments for Tagalog Speakers) Team. Currently a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, Logan will graduate in 2025 with a degree in Human Biology and Society (B.S.) and a minor in Mathematics. His research interests include neurology and neurodegenerative diseases. After his time at UCLA, he plans to attend medical school.


Stephanie Klaine (Tala) Carlet Justo is an immigrant from the Philippines who learned English as a child through computer gaming. Tala is fascinated by cognition and how bilingualism impacts mental health and the brain. They are currently a student at City College of San Francisco and a visiting student at UC Berkeley studying Neuroscience. They also serve on the Board of Directors at the Coalition of Artists and Mental Health Storytellers, are a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and a Mental Health Worker at Progress Foundation. Tala is excited about synthesizing all of their interests into a cohesive whole by assisting culturally significant research at the de Leon lab.

Mikkael Lamoca joined the de Leon Lab in November 2022 and works as an undergraduate intern. He is currently a Student at Rochester Institute of Technology and will graduate in May 2024 with a Master's in Science, Technology, and Public Policy, a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering, and a Minor in Chemistry. His research interest is primarily related to clinical research with neurodegenerative diseases. After graduation, he plans to pursue his M.D./Ph.D.


Niecholle Roco MD MS, is a first generation Filipina- American interested in learning about health outcomes for Filipinos worldwide. She studied at the University of San Francisco, and recieved a degree in molecular biology with a minor in chemistry. Afterwards she completed the Master's of Biomedical Imaging Program at UCSF. Her passion for healthcare then brought her to the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay in Manila, where she completed her medical degree. Niecholle is affiliated with Filipino healthcare workers in the Bay Area through the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California. Her current goal is to enter residency in the United States to provide service as a physician. 

Jaeda Johnson joined de Leon lab at UCSF de Leon Lab as an intern in 2023. She is a psychology major with a minor in criminal justice studies at USFCA. Also interns at the Filipino Community Development Corporation, Jaeda is passionate about research and is interested in better understanding the bilingual mind.