Computational and Systems Biology

Program affiliation
Human and Statistical Genetics
Computational and Systems Biology
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science

Research summary
Mathematical development, evaluation, and application of new, and state-of-the-art statistical genetics methodology for complex traits and diseases, with a fondness for run-on sentences.

Key words
biostatistics, genetic epidemiology, human genetics, mathematical modeling, statistical genetics, systems biology

Program affiliation
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Cancer Biology
Computational and Systems Biology
Immunology
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology

Research summary
Understanding the role of tumor heterogeneity in cancer biology using single cell and spatial techniques, with an emphasis on how tumor subpopulations (malignant, stromal, and immune cells) drive cancer development, growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. We are particularly focused on how to translate these insights into new diagnostics and novel therapeutics.

Key words
tumor heterogeneity; single cell; spatial transcriptomics; head and neck cancer; signaling

Program affiliation
Human and Statistical Genetics
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Computational and Systems Biology
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science

Research summary
Using bench molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics to understand human inflammatory / autoimmune disease.

Key words
human genetics; autoimmune; inflammatory disease; biomarkers; high-throughput sequencing; precision medicine

Program affiliation
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Computational and Systems Biology
Neurosciences

Research summary
To understand how and why membrane proteins fold, form stable complexes, and achieve conformational stability inside of the oil-filled cell membrane.

Key words
membrane protein; single-molecule; TIRF microscopy; protein folding; thermodynamics; lipids; oligomerization

Program affiliation
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science
Computational and Systems Biology

Research summary

Key words
retina development, epigenetics, histones

Program affiliation
Human and Statistical Genetics
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Computational and Systems Biology

Research summary
Statistical genetics, complex human diseases, analysis methods

Key words
genetics, substance dependence, addiction, human disease gene mapping, association studies, linkage and linkage disequilibrium

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Computational and Systems Biology

Research summary
Intersection between visceral sensation, organ function, and emotions

Key words
Visceral Pain, Genomics, Neural Circuits, Emotions

Program affiliation
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Computational and Systems Biology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Research summary
Pediatric gut microbiome and immune disruption in serious bacterial infections

Key words
Microbiome, sepsis, bacteremia, infectious diseases, immune response, pediatrics

Program affiliation
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Computational and Systems Biology
Immunology
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Research summary
Understand the structural mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and the inflammasome signaling

Key words
Innate immunity, pattern recognition receptors, immune recognition, inflammasomes, structural biology

Program affiliation
Computational and Systems Biology
Cancer Biology
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science
Neurosciences

Research summary
I have multidisciplinary research interests spanning disease biology, engineering, imaging sciences, and informatics. Our work integrates computational imaging, artificial intelligence, and clinical/translational medicine to discover and validate quantitative imaging biomarkers and to define therapeutic endpoints in cancer and other diseases.

Key words
Computational medicine, cancer, systems biology and quantitative imaging