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Staff

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Bryan Bach

Functional Genomics Laboratory Facilities Manager

Headshot of Bryan Bach in glasses standing in front of a notice board. Bryan Bach oversees library-prep and quality-check services and maintains overall lab operations at the Functional Genomics Laboratory. He received his BA in molecular and cell biology from UC Berkeley. Before joining QB3 Genomics in 2022, Bach worked at the Innovative Genomics Institute, sequencing positive SARS-CoV-2 cases, and at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, working on various projects in molecular ecology and biogeography.

Amogh Changavi

Bioinformatics Programmer II

Headshot of Amogh Changavi in sunglasses and a jacket in front of trees. Amogh Changavi joined the QB3 Genomics team as a bioinformatics programmer in 2022. Professionally, his main responsibilities include processing different types of sequencing data from various labs/institutions through our analysis pipeline, manually maintaining the LTFS server system for data collection/backup purposes, handling admin duties for internal/external user access to the LIMS system, and taking on different analysis/installation requests via savio channels. In his free time, Changavi enjoys the outdoors, playing tennis, finding new recipes to add to his mixologist repertoire and not to mention enjoying a great bite to eat.

Yoon Gi (Justin) Choi

Functional Genomics Laboratory Director & QB3 Genomics Scientific Director

Headshot of Justin Choi in glasses and plaid shirt standing in front of a white board.Justin Choi holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide, Australia. At QB3 Genomics, he routinely provides consultation to researchers from library preparation to data generation. He also enjoys testing out new technologies in the lab. Please contact him by email if you have any questions regarding customized protocols & single-cell genomics.

Christopher Hann-Soden

QB3 Genomics Director

Headshot of Christopher Hann-Soden taken against a beige wall.Christopher Hann-Soden earned his PhD in John Taylor’s lab at UC Berkeley. As the director of QB3 Genomics, his work focuses on consulting, experimental design, quotes, and contracts.

Brian Lavin

Vincent J. Coates Genomics Sequencing Laboratory NGS Applications Technician

Headshot of Brian Lavin in sunglasses and a white tee shirt standing outside in front of brown rocks.Brian Lavin did his undergraduate work at Diablo Valley College and UC Berkeley where he graduated with a BA in integrative biology and psychology. He then went on to earn his MS in Biology at Sonoma State University. Most of his research focus while in graduate school involved phylogenetics, population genetics, and landscape genetics on reptiles and amphibians with a particular focus on Anguidae lizards (Glass and Alligator Lizards) and giant salamanders (Dicamptodontidae). His interests are fairly broad though and he’s worked with people on mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, plants, and microbes with a wide variety of end goals. Brian also lives with a number of animals, makes things, and grows rare and exotic fruit in his free time.

Carrie Rose Miller

Vincent J. Coates Genomics Sequencing Laboratory Facility Manager & Senior NGS Sequencing Specialist

Headshot of Carrianne Rose Miller in front of a white board.A longtime Bay Area resident, Carrie Rose Miller earned her associate degree in mathematics from Laney College in Oakland and went on to earn her BA in physics from UC Berkeley. While at Cal she gained an interest and experience in genetics and microbiology through her lab assistant position in Terry Lab, researching bioremediation. She joined the Vincent J. Coates Genomics Sequencing Lab in August of 2018. As much as she loves sequencing genomes, she also enjoys roller skating, hiking, and exploring out of the way nature with her dogs, Molly and Brujo.

Flo Ramirez 

Vincent J. Coates Genomics Sequencing Laboratory Assistant Facilities Manager

Flo Ramirez seated at a computer in a lab.Flo Ramirez attended UC Irvine and graduated with a BS in genetics and a BA in anthropology in 2016. She has been in the Bay Area since 2017 and has worked in several different labs over the years including clinical labs and industry research labs. Ramirez joined the Vincent J. Coates Genomics Sequencing Lab in August 2020. At QB3 Genomics, Ramirez’s specialties include: high molecular weight DNA extractions, long read sequencing manager (Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore library prep and sequencing), and short read sequencing specialist (Ilumina). Outside of work, she has lots of hobbies including mentoring a high school robotics team and taking ballet lessons. 

Linnea Schaefer

Functional Genomics Laboratory Staff Research Associate

Linnea Schaffer sits at the edge of a creek holding a brown lizard.Linnea Schaefer joined QB3 Genomics as a staff research associate in 2022. She received her degree in integrative biology from UC Berkeley. At the Functional Genomics Laboratory, she processes Illumina library prep projects and quality check submissions for DNA and RNA. Outside of work, they like birding, searching for salamanders, and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Xochitl Valencia

Staff Research Associate II

Headshot of Xochitl Valencia standing in a lab wearing a patterned shirt. Xochitl Valencia joined QB3 Genomics in 2022 as a SRA II focusing on generating high molecular weight libraries for PacBio Sequencing. They received their BA from Middlebury College in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. When they’re not working, they enjoy doing pottery, going for long walks, or volunteering wherever they can in the Bay Area.

Undergraduate Student Workers

  • Diana Gonzalez
  • Cindy Ho
  • Rachelle Punsalan