People
Tito Borner - Assistant Professor
Originally from the Italian part of Switzerland, Tito pursued his studies at the University of Zurich. After completing his PhD in Integrative molecular medicine, he moved to the United States for his postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania.
Apart from neuroscience, Tito is interested in motorcycles, The Great Wave off Kanagawa and painting.
Sophia Fischer - Graduate student
Sophia joined the lab after completing her Masters in Neuroscience at the University of Zurich to work on the neural mechanisms of anti-obesity drugs and also to keep the Swiss spirit of the lab alive.
Aside from research, she likes the gym, hiking and coffee.
Serena Gao - Graduate student
Originally from Shanghai, China, Serena came to the US for high school and pursued her academic career studying Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. Now, she is focusing on GLP-1 and GIP receptors and their involvement in eating behavior, nausea, and emesis.
Serena is not only passionate about science, but also likes dancing, cats and boba tea.
Allie Pataro - Graduate student
Allie began her scientific career studying Neuroscience at Michigan State University, and later went on to work as a technician at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, she has been studying the neuronal mechanisms of the cytokine GDF15 and how it affects food intake and nausea.
Outside of the lab, Allie spends her time baking, crocheting, and traveling.
Noa Abramovitch - Lab Technician
Noa graduated from USC in 2026 with a major in Human Biology and a minor in Cinematic Arts. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing with her pomsky puppy, watching movies, and matcha.
Ann Law - Lab Technician
Ann graduated from USC in 2026 with a Neuroscience degree from USC Dornsife. In her spare time, she likes reading, crocheting, and trying new food from different cultures.
Keonhoo Park - Undergraduate
Keonhoo is a junior studying neuroscience with minors in Business Finance and Ai Application and is set to graduate May 2028. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, piano, cello, and going to classical concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Olivia Ai - Undergraduate
Olivia is a Cognitive Science and Data Science double major at USC Dornsife, and will be graduating in 2029. Outside the lab, she enjoys skiing, photography, hiking, beading, and chasing good food.
Fatma Cicek - Undergraduate
Fatma is a Neuroscience major at USC Dornsife, set to graduate in 2027, with a minor in cinematic arts.
She enjoys drinking coffee, photography, and exploring new places.
Claire Katen - Undergraduate
Claire is a fourth year Biological Sciences major from Colorado, and in her free time she enjoys dancing and hiking.
Borner Lab Alumni
Yarah Bidot - Undergraduate
Yarah travelled all the way from Puerto Rico to join us for the summer 2024. Back at home, she is studying Biology at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Rebecca Pan - Undergraduate
Rebecca is a pre-dental student studying biological sciences at USC and graduated in 2026.
A fun fact about her is that she went skydiving this past summer - it was an unforgettable experience!
Allaha Mohiby - Undergraduate
Allaha studies neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania and supported the Borner Lab during the summer 2024.
Anna Parolini- Visiting Graduate student
Anna joined the lab from Milano, Italy where she has been pursuing a PhD in Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences. She is working on the crosstalk between the brain, immune system and metabolism and additionally is teaching the lab Italian.
Beyond the lab, Anna has a passion for art, the sea, and good pasta.