Meet Our Team
Genomics Core Team
Steven Bosinger
Scientific Director
Steve got his PhD from the University of Western Ontario in Microbiology and Immunology. He became interested in genomics as a tool to study the immune system in pathogenesis and vaccine protection of HIV infection in nonhuman primates during his PhD and moved to the Emory Primate Center in 2010 to continue his research. Dr Bosinger co-founded the EPC Genomics Core in 2011. His role as Scientific Director is to oversee the general scientific and technological direction of the Core, to work with Dr. Lee, Ms. Shippee and Mr. Tharp in managing its operations, and to act a principal investigator for the Core on funding initiatives. In his free time, Steve enjoys reading, watching soccer and DIY projects.
Michelle Lee
Core Director
Michelle joined the Genomics Core in February 2024 after five years as a postdoctoral fellow at Emory where, with the use of multi-omic single cell RNA-seq, she studied the role of innate cells in the persistence of SIV infection and the landscape of immune cells in the lymph nodes of SIV-infected rhesus macaques during ART suppression. Michelle received her Ph.D in Molecular Virology from the University of Melbourne in 2018 while based at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. In this work, she developed a novel target enrichment and RNA-Seq workflow to investigate the nature of HIV-1-sequence-containing host RNAs that are generated through aberrant splicing in cells latently infected with the virus. In her role as Core Director, Michelle oversees the operations of the Genomics Core, and is involved in all stages of a project, including interfacing with clients to develop and design their experiments, providing support and consultation on sample preparation, reviewing project quality control metrics, pre- and post-sequencing run management, transfer of sequencing data to project owners and maintaining deadlines on client projects. In addition, she ensures the smooth flow of information between the technical and bioinformatic units and directs the development and implementation of new assays and technologies. In her free time, Michelle enjoys reading, going for long walks and trying out new recipes.
Adam Ericsen
Director of Colony Genetics & Informatics
Adam received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the field of Pathology and is the Director of Colony Genetics & Informatics at the EPC.
Technical Unit
Emma Shippee
Technical Director
Emma joined the Genomics Core at the EPC in early 2024 as the Technical Manager where she supervises the core staff and oversees daily operations. She maintains SOPs and monitors quality control and safety procedures. Emma completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2014 and Master of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry in 2017 at Georgia State University. She has extensive experience in leading and managing research teams in academic, private sector, and federal laboratories. Emma is responsible for day-to-day activities of the Technical unit such as supervision of staff, allocation of resources, ensuring that timelines are met, laboratory records are maintained, the Genomics Core Lab Management System is updated, and shipments are handled safely and efficiently. She also oversees training of new staff for all laboratory activities and oversees maintenance and upkeep of all equipment in the Genomics Core. In her free time, Emma enjoys traveling, watching reality TV, and attending concerts and sporting events.
Hadj Aoued
Research Technical Specialist
Hadj holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a Master of Science in Reproductive Physiology and Cell Biology, with a strong background in veterinary medicine, fertility, embryology, assisted reproductive technology (ART), molecular biology techniques, and public health. Hadj has contributed to numerous publications in the fields of psychiatry, neuroscience, immunology, public health, and veterinary medicine. He joined the Genomics Core in 2019. In his role as a Research Technical Specialist, he runs Illumina bulk RNA-seq and 10x Genomics single cell and spatial transcriptomic assays. Outside of work, Hadj enjoys sports and traveling.
Elizabeth Beagle
Senior Research Specialist
Elizabeth joined the Core in 2018 after working for several years in the biotech industry where she developed extensive experience in molecular and cellular biology. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology (Cell and Molecular) from Armstrong State University in 2014. Elizabeth is experienced at multiple library preparation methods used in the Genomics Core including bulk RNAseq, miRNAseq, and 10x Genomics single cell capture and library preparation. She independently performs various assays, including the preparation of flow cells for sequencing and is also responsible for the maintenance of the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and MiSeq instruments. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys gardening, crocheting, and spending time with her two corgis and two cats.
Julia Boll
Research Specialist
Julia has been working in the Core since she graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Genetics and Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia in 2022. She has become skilled in performing bulk RNA-Seq as well as the recent 10X single-cell technologies for single-cell, single nuclei, and spatial transcriptomics. Julia performs library preparations, prepares flow cells for sequencing, and maintains experimental records including quality control data. Outside of the lab, she enjoys board games, crocheting, and spending time with her dog, Mazzy.
Lily Cao
Lead Research Specialist
Lily obtained her master's degree in ecology from the Pennsylvania State University and her bachelor's degrees in chemistry and in biology from the University of Florida. She joined the EPC Genomics Core in 2024 and primarily conducts DNA/RNA extractions, library preparations, quality control assays with the Agilent Bioanalyzer and TapeStation instruments and preparing flow cells for sequencing on the NovaSeq 6000. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing piano, playing videogames, and collecting art books.
Bioinformatics Unit
Gregory Tharp
Director of Bioinformatics
Greg began working with the Department of Human Genetics at Emory in 2008 and became the Bioinformatics Director of the Genomics Core in 2012. Prior to starting his work in bioinformatics, Greg worked a 20-year career as an engineering systems analyst working on developing and evaluating engineering systems in academic and government research at the University of California, Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as working independently and for a small contracting firm as a research engineering consultant. In the Genomics Core, Greg is the senior data analyst and is responsible for maintaining the computational infrastructure of the Genomics Core. He handles the primary data analysis for Genomics Core clients, manages the transfer of sequencing data to project owners, oversees the submission of data to NCBI repositories and facilitates the training of new users. As part of his work with the Genomics Core, Greg has worked with and developed new analytical tools for the analysis of bulk and single cell RNA-seq data, including pipelines for assembly, alignment and gene expression analysis.
Kivanc Corut
Bioinformatics Analyst
Kivanc received his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and joined Emory University in 2024 as a Bioinformatics Analyst within the Genomics Core. In this role, he provides bioinformatics expertise and comprehensive data analysis support for numerous client investigators across a wide range of research projects. He specializes in designing and implementing bioinformatics analyses, performing multiomic and multimodal data analysis and integration across various sequencing technologies such as Single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq, Spatial Transcriptomics, CITE-seq, and Bulk RNA-seq. Kivanc develops robust computational pipelines, tools, and code repositories to streamline data processing and enhance reproducibility. He also continually optimizes and improves the team’s codebase to enable efficient and scalable bioinformatics workflows. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring arthouse cinema, delving into philosophy, and reading.
