Laura Sanchez

Laura Sanchez is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Whitman College in 2007 and a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from UC Santa Cruz in 2012. Her research focuses on elucidating the chemical communication mechanisms between cells and microbes using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. She leads the Sanchez Lab, which employs interdisciplinary approaches combining microbiology, analytical chemistry, and host biology.

• Education:
• B.A. in Chemistry, Whitman College (2003–2007)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC Santa Cruz (2007–2012)
• Professional Path:
• Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago (2015–2020)
• Associate Professor, UC Santa Cruz (2021–present)

Research Interests: The Sanchez Lab investigates microbial and cellular communication in complex environments using tools like tandem mass spectrometry and imaging mass spectrometry. Key areas include cheese rind microbial communities, ovarian cancer biology, and biofilm-forming bacteria. Their work bridges analytical chemistry, microbiology, and natural products discovery.

Awards:

• NSF Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (2006)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2012)

Advising & Grants: While specifics are not detailed, her involvement in NSF fellowships highlights grant-funded research. She mentors students in her lab, though formal advisee names are not listed here.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Sanchez Lab at UC Santa Cruz, focused on interdisciplinary chemical biology research.