Ruzanna joined UCLA TDG in 2021. As a Research & Industry Alliances Associate, Ruzanna assists TDG’s ISR Team with drafting, negotiating, and executing material transfer and research agreements. Prior to her role at UCLA, Ruzanna worked in Worker’s Compensation and Real Estate law. Ruzanna received her law degree in 2016 from Southwestern Law School and her B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Northridge.
Jeff Genota
Jeff joined TDG as a senior associate in Research & Industry Alliances in 2026. Jeff previously joined UCLA TDG an associate with the Industry Sponsored Research and Materials Transfer in 2021. Originally from the Los Angeles area, Jeff was previously in Washington, DC at Georgetown University’s Office of Technology Commercialization as an analyst and coordinator facilitating intellectual property contract intake, review, and compliance and supporting technology licensing and marketing efforts.
Karla Zepeda, MS
Karla Zepeda joined UCLA TDG in 2008. As the Director of Industry Sponsored Research and Material Transfer, Karla works closely with faculty seeking to obtain funding from industry and non-profit sources. Prior to UCLA, Karla worked at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas as a Contract Specialist within the Office of Technology drafting, negotiating, and executing industry sponsored research agreements and material transfer agreements. Karla received her B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from California State University, Chico and her M.S. in Biotechnology from UT Texas.
Karla Bernal
Karla joined UCLA TDG in July 2013 as an Research and Industry Alliances Coordinator. Currently in her role as a Senior Coordinator for the Research and Industry Alliances team she reviews and processes MTA agreements as well as ISR proposals and intake matters. Karla provides support to all ISR staff and reviews applicable information to complete Conflict of Interest Cases. She previously worked in the Office of Research Data Management (ORDM).
