The DNA Services Team

The DNA Services Director

Alvaro G. Hernandez, Ph.D.

I serve as the Director of DNA Services at the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center (CBC), leading the next-generation sequencing division serving academic, federal, and corporate partners. I received my PhD from the University of Illinois in March 2001 and joined the CBC a week later as a postdoctoral student. I became Assistant Director in 2005 and Director in 2008. My focus is on facility management, user support, and development of strategic partnerships. The DNA Services lab provides state-of-the-art equipment and expertise to users around the world.

The DNA Services Team

Chris Wright

Associate Director of DNA Services

Chris Wright

Associate Director of DNA Services

I joined the DNA Services lab in 2001. I hold a BS in Microbiology from the University of Illinois and am ASCP (M) credentialed in clinical microbiology. I have been closely involved with every sequencing technology advance since Sanger sequencing through the Illumina NovaSeq X platform. I specialize in helping researchers move their projects forward with the best use of NGS technology, and I manage the single cell applications within the lab. Outside the lab, I can often be spotted running, either around town or on nearby trails.

Leslie Benson

Laboratory Supervisor

Leslie Benson

Laboratory Supervisor

I am the Lab Supervisor and oversee the Sanger sequencing service. I received my MSc from the University of Illinois and have been with the Biotechnology Center since 2002. I enjoy gardening and raising poultry.

Elizabeth Hogan

Long Reads Lead

Elizabeth Hogan

Long Reads Lead

I have been part of the University of Illinois community since 2010, starting as an undergraduate and progressing through a Master's in Muscle Biology. Since 2016, I have been with the Roy J. Carver Biotech Center. I manage our long read sequencing services by day and snuggle my cats by night.

Gloria Rendon

Research Bioinformatics Analyst

Gloria Rendon

Research Bioinformatics Analyst

I work with HPCBio and with the Roy J. Carver DNA Services Facility. I have experience in several areas that involve the analysis of genomic data. My experience includes developing software applications, deploying genomic analysis workflows, and benchmarking genomic tools. I have also participated in multi-disciplinary collaborative projects and have been co-author on several scientific publications.

Leslie Rye

Senior Research Specialist

Leslie Rye

Senior Research Specialist

I have been a dedicated member of the DNA sequencing lab since January 2010. Throughout my tenure, I have adeptly navigated the evolving landscape of Next Generation Sequencing, ensuring our customers receive the support they need to achieve their research objectives. I enjoy reading fiction in my spare time, and I am a National Women's Soccer League fan.

Kim Schneider

Research Specialist - Sanger

Kim Schneider

Research Specialist - Sanger

I perform the day-to-day operations of Sanger sequencing. I received my MS in Agronomy from Colorado State University. I have been at the CBC since 2009. When I am not in the lab, my favorite places are either spending time outside gardening or going on adventures with my husband and our Labrador by our side.

Tina Skelton

Senior Research Specialist

Tina Skelton

Senior Research Specialist

I have been with the CBC since 2011, serving as part of the NGS library prep group within the Life Sciences field. I have prior extensive experience and certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, particularly in the field of microbiology. Learning and developing new skills are a true passion of mine.

Fangxiu Xu

Single-Cell Lead

Fangxiu Xu

Single-Cell Lead

I am the Lead for single-cell sequencing, specializing in cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing techniques. I earned my PhD from the University of Hong Kong and have been a dedicated member of the CBC since 2010. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and playing tennis.

Yachi Yu

Senior Research Specialist

Yachi Yu

Senior Research Specialist

I have worked at CBC since 2020, serving as a Senior Research Specialist. I specialize in high-throughput DNA/RNA isolation and 3-D genomics. My role involves ensuring high-quality nucleic acid extraction for accurate sequencing. I am passionate about assisting research teams and researchers with their samples, tackling challenging specimens, solving problems, and optimizing processes to achieve the best results

Gisselle Rosas Camacho

Visiting Research Specialist

Gisselle Rosas Camacho

Visiting Research Specialist

I joined the DNA Services lab in 2023 and am currently working at the CBC as a Visiting Research Specialist for the DNA Services Lab. I received my B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois. In my free time I am passionate about baile folklórico and discovering new music!

Danman Zheng

Library Team Lead

Danman Zheng

Library Team Lead

I have been with CBC since 2011, serving as the Library Construction Leader with the Next-Generation Sequencing Group. I take pride in ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes to support our team's success.

The DNA Services Team

The DNA Services Team

The DNA Services Director

The DNA Services Team

Chris Wright

Leslie Benson

Elizabeth Hogan

Gloria Rendon

Leslie Rye

Kim Schneider

Tina Skelton

Fangxiu Xu

Yachi Yu

Gisselle Rosas Camacho

Danman Zheng

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