Bioinformatics Specialist

I have 7+ years of experience analyzing large volumes of Next Generation Sequencing data supporting a wide variety of research projects within the fields of genomics, phylogenomics, and population genetics. I am proficient in R, Python, SQL, Bash, and working with High Performance Computing clusters. I have also designed and managed multiple SQL-based biodiversity databases and am the principal data engineer behind antmaps.org, a prominent web research tool for biodiversity and myrmecology.

M.S., Biology, Applied Statistics (minor)

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM

2014 - 2011

• Thesis Title, “Utility and Limitations of Indels as Phylogenomic Characters”

B.S., Biology, Mathematics (minor)

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, AR

2011 - 2007

• Honors College
• Graduated summa cum laude

A.S., Chemistry

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, AR

2010 - 2007

Support Scientist

High Performace Computing Services

NIH, Maryland

2020

• Provide guidance, support, and training to NIH intramural researchers
• Research, implement, and document emerging computational tools for bioinformatics on the HPC

Bioinformatics Consultant (Remote)

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

2020 - 2015

• Catalog, clean, and assemble RAD-Seq genomic data from more than 8,000 invertebrate specimens
• Create computational pipelines with open-source bioinformatics software and custom Python/R/SQL code
• Schedule and manage HPC jobs

Research Computing Technician

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

2015 - 2014

• Assist with phylogenetic, genomic and population genetic analyses
• Design, implement, and administer global specimen collection databases with PostgreSQL RDBMS
• Manage computing resources including Linux VMs in production environment

Graduate Research Assistant

RoadRunner Genomics, Department of Biology

NMSU, New Mexico

2013 - 2011

• Library preparation and sequencing with Roche FLX+
• Read assembly and mapping
• Support data cataloging and distribution

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Department of Biology (Shawn Krosnick’s lab)

SAU, Arkansas

2011 - 2010

• Edit and assemble Sanger-based sequencing data

Phylogenomics Analyst

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

2020 - 2015

• Knit complex workflows to clean and assemble genomic data
• Generate large-scale time calibrated phylogenies with RAD-Seq genomic data
• Document methods and techniques for publication

Data Engineer

Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

University of Hong Kong

2020 - 2015

• Design PostgresQL database to house millions of distribution records
• Transform and load biodiversity data from disparate sources into SQL database
• Manage and monitor antmaps.org server and backend processes

Research Intern

Page Lab, Whitehead Institute

MIT, Massachusetts

2010

• Characterize ampliconic gene function using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on the Chicken Z chromosome
• Identify ampliconic genes on the Zebra Finch Z chromosome using computational techniques

Research Intern

McNabb Lab, Department of Biology

University of Arkansas

2009

• Construct histatin-resistant strains of Candida albicans by gene knockout via homologous recombination

Phylogenetic signal of indels and the neoavian radiation

Diversity

N/A

2019

• Houde, Peter; Braun, Edward L; Narula, Nitish; Minjares, Uriel; Mirarab, Siavash

Evolution of the latitudinal diversity gradient in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole

Global Ecology and Biogeography

N/A

2019

• Economo, Evan P; Huang, Jen-Pan; Fischer, Georg; Sarnat, Eli M; Narula, Nitish; Janda, Milan; Guénard, Benoit; Longino, John T; Knowles, L Lacey

Macroecology and macroevolution of the latitudinal diversity gradient in ants

Nature Communications

N/A

2018

• Economo, Evan P; Narula, Nitish; Friedman, Nicholas R; Weiser, Michael D; Guénard, Benoit

The Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics (GABI) database: synthesizing data on the geographic distribution of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Myrmecological News

N/A

2017

• Guénard, Benoit; Weiser, Michael D.; Gómez, Kiko; Narula, Nitish; Economo, Evan P

Visualizing and interacting with large-volume biodiversity data using client–server web-mapping applications: The design and implementation of antmaps.org

Ecological Informatics

N/A

2016

• Janicki, Julia; Narula, Nitish; Ziegler, Matt; Guénard, Benoit; Economo, Evan P

Phylogenomic analyses data of the avian phylogenomics project

GigaScience

N/A

2015

• Authors from the Avian Phylogenomics Project

Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds

Science

N/A

2014

• Authors from the Avian Phylogenomics Project

Utility and Limitations of Indels as Phylogenomic Characters (Talk)

Evolution

Snowbird, UT

2013

• Nominated for Ernst Mayr award

Identification of Ampliconic Regions on the Zebra Finch Z Chromosome (Poster)

ABRCMS 2010

Charlotte, NC

2010

• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
• 2010 Poster Presentation award

New Methods for Phylogenomics and Metagenomics

University of Texas

Austin, TX

2013

• Travel award recipient

2nd Annual Undergraduate Plant Systematics Workshop

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden

Claremont, CA

2010

Dr. Evan Economo

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

N/A

• Assistant Professor of Biology
• economo [at] oist.jp

Dr. Benoit Guénard

Insect Biodiversity & Biogeography Lab

University of Hong Kong

N/A

• Assistant Professor of Biology
• bguenard [at] hku.hk

Dr. Peter Houde

Department of Biology

NMSU, New Mexico

N/A

• Professor of Biology
• phoude [at] nmsu.edu