Next Generation Sequencing Core

People

Salk Institute for Biological Studies - Next Generation Sequencing Core - People

Facility Staff


Elsa Molina, PhD

Director
H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations Genomic Sequencing Core

Ling Ouyang, MS

Senior Manager
H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations Genomic Sequencing Core

After graduating with MS in Biochemistry from American University in Washington DC, Ling joined Salk in 1997 as a Research Assistant in Laboratory of Genetic focusing on gene therapy using HIV vectors. Ling moved to the Functional Genomics Core in 2000 to set up the Gene Expression Analysis services for the institute using Spotted cDNA arrays and Affymetrix Gene Chips. In 2014 the core merged with the Next Generation Sequencing Core, and since, Ling has gained extensive experiences with Illumina library generation and High-Throughput sequencer operations as well as helping NGS Core director to ensure core run smoothly on the daily basis.

James Nguyen, BS

Research Assistant I

After completing a BS degree in Biochemistry from San Diego State University, James worked for several Biotech/pharma industries, including Beckman Coulter and Alta Analytical Laboratory for 7 years from which he gained valuable insight into immunochemistry and state-of-the-art instruments. James joined the Salk Institute in 2005 as a Research Assistant in the FGL Core where he gained extensive knowledge and experience operating notably real-time PCR instruments and performing DNA Miniprep for plasmid DNA purification assays. In 2014, James joined the NGS Core where he is a specialist in Qiagen DNA Miniprep.

Cristian Quintero

Research Assistant II

After receiving his Certificate of Biotechnology from San Diego Miramar College, Cristian gained valuable experience as a Research Associate working in prominent biotechnology companies such as Abbott Diagnostics and Biocept. After experiencing the industries, Cristian worked at the UC San Diego Stem Cell Genomics & Microscopy Core at the Sanford Consortium of Regenerative Medicine as a Research Associate where he expanded his skills notably in cutting-edge genomic technologies. Cristian joined the Salk Institute in 2023 as a Research Assistant II in the NGS Core where he is an expert in single-cell library preparations, digital gene expression and spatial transcriptomics assays.

Nina Tonnu, BS

Research Assistant III

After graduating with a BS in Cells and Molecular Biology from San Diego State University, Nina joined first the Salk Institute in 2001 where she gained tremendous experience as a Research Assistant working in cancer and gene therapy in Dr. Inder Verma laboratory for 19 years. After an experience in the industry, Nina joined again the Salk Institute in 2022 as a Research Assistant III in the NGS Core where she is an expert in library preparations for high-throughput sequencing.

Tzu-Wen Wang, BS

Research Assistant III

After graduating with a BS in Biotechnology from China Medical University in Taiwan, Tzu-Wen worked at the National Cheng Kung University for 6 years where she enhanced her skills in molecular biology as a research assistant working in cancer research with Dr. Hui-Ping Hsu. Tzu-Wen joined the Salk Institute in 2018 as a Research Assistant III in the NGS Core where she is an expert in library preparations and high-throughput sequencing operation runs.