Meet the Lecturers
Meet the faculty and experts who contribute to the R25 PREP-Omics Program. Our lecturers share their expertise in bioinformatics, genomics, computational biology, and omics-based research to support trainees in developing skills for biomedical and translational research.
Current Lecturers
Xia Yang, PhD
Professor, UCLA
Dr. Yang's research integrates multi-omics data, computational biology, and network-based approaches to investigate complex diseases and biological systems.
Jennifer L. Wilson, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Dr. Wilson's work combines computational modeling, systems pharmacology, and network-based approaches to better understand biological systems and support drug discovery.
Matteo Pellegrini, PhD
Professor, Departments of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Human Genetics, and Medicine, UCLA
Dr. Pellegrini's research uses computational and genomic approaches to study biological systems and analyze complex biological data.
Thomas Vondriska, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair for Research Director, Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology & Preoperative Medicine
Dr. Vondriska's research explores molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and uses systems-level approaches to understand heart biology.
Benjamin Macadangdang, MD
Associate Professor in Residence, Department of Neonatology
Dr. Macadangdang contributes clinical and research perspectives relevant to the application of genomics and data-driven approaches in biomedical research.
Jonathan Jacobs, MD, PhD
Associate Professor in Residence, Department of Medicine, Digestive Diseases. Co-Director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center
Dr. Jacobs studies the human gastrointestinal microbiome and its relationship to health and disease, using microbiome research and analytical approaches to investigate complex biological communities.
Carla Sargiotto, MD
Dr. Sargiotto contributes clinical expertise relevant to genomics, genetic testing, and the application of genomic information in healthcare.
Previous Lecturers
Nandita Garud, PhD
Associate Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Human Genetics, UCLA
Dr. Garud develops computational methods for population genetics and metagenomic data. Her research includes the study of microbial populations, the gut microbiome, and evolutionary processes.
Sriram Sankararaman, PhD
Professor of Computer Science, Human Genetics, and Computational Medicine, UCLA
Dr. Sankararaman develops computational and statistical methods for studying genomics, human evolution, and disease.
Heather Christofk, PhD
Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA
Dr. Christofk studies cellular metabolism and its role in cancer, viral infection, and cell differentiation.
Valerie A. Arboleda, MD, PhD
Faculty, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Human Genetics, and Computational Medicine, UCLA
Dr. Arboleda's research focuses on human genetics and genomic approaches to understanding disease, with an emphasis on improving genetic diagnosis.
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