April 21, 2016
…she applied new genetic sequencing techniques to reveal the bacteria and fungi responsible for more than 130 varieties of artisanal cheeses from 10 countries around the world. Her study was an unusual undertaking for a molecular biologist, particularly one just starting to build a research career. When microbiologists get involved…
June 1, 2017
…the first person to sequence DNA in space as part of the overall science portfolio for the mission of more than 275 experiments. She spent 115 days in space and conducted two spacewalks. She holds a bachelor of science in molecular biology from UC San Diego and a Ph.D. in…
March 31, 2022
…the first person to sequence DNA in space. She was also recently selected to NASA’s Artemis Team. Navy Lt. Deniz Burnham, who studied chemical engineering as an undergraduate, was selected to NASA’s astronaut training program in late 2021. NASA astronaut and Expedition 62 Flight Engineer Jessica Meir poses for a…
October 3, 2019
…the first person to sequence DNA in space. Jessica Meir in the field to study penguins in Antarctica during her Scripps Ph.D. program. Photo by Cassondra Williams “UC San Diego and Scripps are really just powerhouse institutions when it comes to research,” said Meir, discussing her shared background in science…
October 31, 2013
…environmental microorganisms using high-throughput DNA sequencing approaches and bioinformatic tool development. A primary focus of this research is the discovery and genetic manipulation of microbial biosynthetic pathways involved in the synthesis of marine natural products such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. I received my undergraduate degree in biology from the…
November 12, 2020
…lead the effort to sequence the human genome. He is currently CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute. Dixon became the first to clone, express and characterize a number of phosphatases (the enzymes that do the opposite of kinases—remove phosphate groups). He also discovered the substrate of the tumor-suppressing enzyme…
January 30, 2020
…experiments; I did a DNA sequencing experiment called “Genes in Space” up here, and we do fluids experiments. We do any type of experiment and it is really an amazing playground as a scientist to be up here. I was fortunate enough to go outside the space station three times…
May 19, 2016
…is part of the DNA of UC San Diego and it continues today.” Last week, President Obama announced a major federal research initiative to better understand the microbiome—the communities of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that live within and around us. But this national effort comes more than six months…
April 8, 2021
…the ability to extract DNA, tissue samples for genetic purposes are taken from the fish and benthic invertebrates prior to fixing the specimen in formalin. The location, date, depth, and personnel information are all recorded for each specimen. This data will eventually be digitized into each collection’s online database, a…
