Lab Members
Amandine Chaix
Assistant Professor
Nutrition and Integrative Physiology
Physiology, Metabolism, Nutrition, Time-Restricted Feeding (TRF), Circadian clock, Breast Cancer
PhD Students
Elena Gonzalez Alvarado
Elena started her Ph.D. in the NUIP program in Fall 2023. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Murcia and obtained a master’s degree in Biomedical Biotechnology at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Her research focuses on obesity, weight loss and adipose tissue. Outside the lab, Elena enjoys hanging out with friends and family, playing sports, watching soccer and photography.
Renan Vieira
Renan started his Ph.D. in the NUIP program in Fall 2023, after completing a research exchange in the Chaix Lab during his master’s degree in Brazil. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), where he developed a strong interest in the relationship between metabolism, nutrition, and disease. He is excited to be part of the collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment of the Chaix Lab. Outside the lab, Renan is passionate about sports and follows a wide range of sports. In his free time, he enjoys skiing in the Utah mountains.
Sawyer Sanchez
Sawyer began his Ph.D. in the Chaix Lab in August 2024 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on the impact of hyperlipidemia on tumor growth in the context of obesity. As a childhood cancer survivor, Sawyer is motivated to contribute to advancements in oncology. Sawyer enjoys living an active lifestyle including fishing, kayaking, and herpetology
Peyton Mower
Peyton began working in the Chaix lab in March of 2023. This opportunity to contribute to science instilled in him a passion for research, and he hopes to continue these contributions throughout his career. He begins his PhD within the NUIP program in Fall 2025. Outside the lab Peyton is a voracious reader and writer, and he enjoys biking, running, and swimming.
Sharath Satish
Sharath is a Computer Science graduate student at the University of Utah who joined the Chaix Lab as a graduate research assistant in Spring 2024. In this role, he primarily serves as a data analyst, applying a data-driven approach to investigate how hyperlipidemia in individuals with obesity contributes to the progression of breast cancer. His work involves data exploration, statistical analysis, and visualization. Sharath is driven by a passion for uncovering and communicating insights from large-scale data. His hobbies include hiking supposedly “medium” difficulty trails, photographing landscapes and listening to alternative and post-rock music.
Undergraduates
Seth Roberts
Seth is an undergraduate research assistant who joined the lab in August of 2023. He is currently studying Biology at the University of Utah and hopes to attend medical school after obtaining his degree. In his free time, Seth likes to train and race in endurance events.
Jackson Henderson
Jackson grew up in Florida and moved to Utah in 2023 to continue his studies at the University of Utah. As a premed student majoring in biology, he plans on attending medical school after he graduates. He plans to pursue a career in general or cardiothoracic surgery. He loves science, research, and spending time in the lab. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, hiking, surfing, movies, and spending time with his wife and son.
Jessie Duytschaever
Jessie is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a minor in Spanish. She joined the lab in January 2025 through the SRI program and she hopes to attend medical school after graduating. Outside of school she enjoys spending time outdoors. She especially enjoys fly fishing, road biking, and climbing.
Elle Schreiner
Elle is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Utah, majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Anatomy and Physiology. Through the SRI program, Elle has been working with the lab since January 2025. Elle hopes to attend medical school after she graduates. Outside of classes and the lab, Elle loves to ski and go hiking.
Maia Heather
Maia is an undergraduate student at the University of Utah, majoring in Biology with minors in Nutrition and Chemistry. He joined the lab in March of 2025 and will be assisting in a graduate study over the summer focused on how different dietary lipid compositions influence breast cancer growth and lipid metabolism. Maia plans to prepare a UROP proposal for the fall semester to work on a study in mice comparing nutrition and disease development. He will be graduating in Spring 2026 and plans to continue research while applying to medical school. Outside of the lab, Maia enjoys hiking, skiing, camping and playing soccer.