UMGC Staff

To contact staff, please use the service email listed on the Contact Us page.


Kenny Beckman UMGC Director

Kenneth Beckman, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Dinesha Walek Operations Manager

Dinesha Walek
Managing Director

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

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Administration

corbin_dirkx_2024

Corbin Dirkx
Operations Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Denise Thorne Finance Manager

Denise Thorson
Finance Lead

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Elyse Froehling Operations Manager

Elyse Froehling
Operations Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Jerry Daniel

Jerry Daniel
Operations Manager

Email: [email protected] 

 

 

 

Kari Sartorio Ops Manager

Karina Sartorio
General Operations Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Shea Anderson Headshot

Shea Anderson
Communications Manager 

Email: [email protected]

Informatics

John Garbe

John Garbe, Ph.D.
Informatics Lead

Email: [email protected] 

 

 

 

Noah Strom

Noah Strom, Ph.D.
Bioinformatic Analyst

 

 

 

 

Trina Kuriger-Laber Bioinformatics

Trina Kuriger-Laber
Bioinformatic Analyst

 

 

 

 

Innovation Lab

Daryl Gohl, Ph.D.
Group Leader, UMGC Innovation Lab

Daryl Gohl Innovation Lab PI

A common thread that has run throughout Daryl’s scientific work has been a strong interest in developing new tools and technologies for answering biological questions. He leads the UMGC Innovation Lab, which has been focused on improving the accuracy and expanding the scope, scale, and resolution of genomic measurements. Current areas of research include improving microbiome measurements, developing novel genomics methods, and long read and single cell sequencing applications.

Email: [email protected]LinkedIn Profile
Joined UMGC: 2014
Education: Postdoctoral Scientist – Stanford University, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology - Princeton University, B.S. in Environmental Sciences - Northwestern University


Jorge Blanco Mendana, Ph.D.
Researcher, UMGC Innovation Lab

Jorge Blanco Mendana Scientist IL

Jorge joined the Innovation Lab to work on implementing protocols for the transplantation of cells and nuclei into Drosophila embryos. The ultimate goal is to develop a method for the cryopreservation and reconstitution of Drosophila stocks. He is also involved in developing new genomic tools for the study of genetic diversity in Drosophila at different levels, from cells and tissues to individuals within populations. Previously, Jorge held lab positions where he participated in research projects dealing with different aspects of Drosophila genetics, cell biology, and developmental biology.

Joined UMGC: 2021
Education: Postdoctoral Scientist – University of Basel, Ph.D. in Microbiology - University of Leon, B.S. in Biological Sciences - University of Leon


Lindsey Gengelbach O'Brien
Researcher, UMGC Innovation Lab

Lindsey Gengelbach IL Scientist

As a member of the Innovation Lab, Lindsey works on a variety of projects to help develop novel tools and technologies for genomics research. Her current area of research includes genetic biocontrol, single-nuclei preparation and sequencing, and microbiome measurements. Prior to joining the Innovation Lab, Lindsey worked on the UMGC’s Custom NGS team where she enjoyed optimizing protocols to client’s research needs. 

Joined UMGC: 2019
Education: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering - Purdue University, M.P.H in Population Health Management - University of Louisville


Margaret Donovan
Researcher, UMGC Innovation Lab

Margaret Donovan IL Scientist

Margaret began working at the UMGC as a student in 2019. She joined the Innovation Lab full-time in the spring of 2021 and primarily worked on RNAi in zebra mussels. Currently, she works on host-microbe interactions, gut motility, and helps with miscellaneous tasks and experiments around Innovation Lab. Margaret enjoys working in the Innovation Lab because it allows her to collaborate closely with other researchers, explore numerous scientific topics, and employ her creativity in unique ways.                                                            

Joined UMGC: 2021
Education: B.S. Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development – University of Minnesota


Victor Hugo Hernandez Elizarraga, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Associate

UMGC Staff Photo Outline

Victor is interested in applying omics-based techniques for new research tools development. He is particularly interested in aquatic organisms and their intricate biological processes. In his previous research, Victor studied the survival mechanisms of fire corals (Millepora sp.) using proteomic and transcriptomic approaches. Currently, Victor is working as a researcher in the Innovation Lab, where he is exploring genetic biocontrol strategies for zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). Victor enjoys teamwork and collaboration, and one of his commitments is to pursue answers to scientific hypotheses.                                                         

Joined UMGC: 2023
Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Biological Sciences - Autonomous University of Queretaro; B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Biology - Autonomous University of Queretaro

Service Managers

Aaron Becker headshot

Aaron Becker
CoLab Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Andrew Cross headshot

Andrew Cross
NGS Instrument Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Annika Flees

Annika Flees
Quality Control Service Manager (CCRB)

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Anthony Mazza

Anthony Mazza
Array Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

corbin_dirkx_2024

Corbin Dirkx
Genotyping-by-sequencing Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Dan Bade Headshot

Dan Bade
NGS Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Darrell Johnson Headshot

Darrell Johnson
Gene Expression Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Fernanda Rodriguez Headshot

Fernanda Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Spatialomics Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Jitu George

Jitu George, Ph.D.
Single Cell Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Mark Murphy

Mark Murphy
Custom Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Mary Nieuwenhuis

Mary Nieuwenhuis
Quality Control Service Manager (4Front)

 

 

 

 

Ray Watson

Ray Watson
Research & Development Lead 

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Tim Heisel

Tim Heisel
Microbiome Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Veronica Tonnell

Veronica Tonnell
Extraction Service Manager

Email: [email protected]

Technical Staff

Abby Schmitt

Abby Schmitt
Research Professional 2

 

 

 

 

Bram Rasmussen

Bram Rasmussen
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Carter Murry

Carter Murry
Research Professional 2

 

 

 

 

Devon Mares

Devon Mares
Research Professional 2

 

 

 

 

Dylan Dittrich

Dylan Dittrich
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Eve Henry

Eve Henry
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Jiangming Deng

Jiangming Deng
Research Professional 2

 

 

 

 

Kira Poxon

Kira Poxon
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Laura Kemp

Laura Kemp
Research Professional 3

 

 

 

 

Maria Vine

Maria Vine
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Michael Laidlaw

Michael Laidlaw
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Nasia Mead

Nasia Mead
Research Professional 3

 

 

 

 

Nick Jones

Nick Jones
Research Professional 3

 

 

 

 

Samantha Fredrickson

Samantha Fredrickson
Research Professional 1

 

 

 

 

Shane Sontag

Shane Sontag
Research Professional 3

 

 

 

 

Yuhong Li

Yuhong Li
Research Professional 3