About Me

Research fields: Genetics, Exerkines, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Multiomics, Precision Medicine

Current Mission: Learn advanced bioinformatics and data analysis in the GTEx Portal and MoTrPAC Data Hub for the purpose of human health, resilence, and disease prevention. I am constantly finding patterns and important findings in the networks of exerkine data. I'm analyzing multi-omics of rodents and humans and map exerkines in transcriptome, proteins, metabolites and lipids. As such, my learning and reinforcement of Data Science and Cloud Computing continues in precision medicine. My goal is to establish a consensus among students, researchers, physicians, and scientists that provide valuable insights into the both pharmacological and non-pharmacologic agents of the present and future of precision medicine for major human pathologies. In this way, we can achieve a more healthier population that sufffer from disease and promote lifestyle-associated changes in health.

Positions

  1. Graduate Student Researcher
    Department of Genetics
    Stanford University School of Medicine
    Department of Biological Sciences, Califonia State University, East Bay

Research Interests

  1. Network Medicine and Physiology (Big Data Science and Healthcare)
  2. Scaling Multiomics ("multiome") & High-Throughput Sequencing/Screening (NGS and MS)
  3. Bioinformatics (Data Science and Cloud computing) and Computational Biology
  4. Spatial Multi-omics (SM-Omics), Single-cell (scRNAseq), single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) and Bulk Sequencing
  5. Molecular, Cellular, Structural Biology
  6. Cell and Gene Therapy
  7. (Epi)Genome Engineering and Gene Editing

Education


Graduate Studies
The Snyder Lab, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine M.S. Biological Sciences (Anticipated December 2024)
California State University, East Bay, CSUEB, 2022 - Present (Anticipated 2024)


Fundamentals of Data Science in Precision Medicine and Cloud Computing
(Certificate Pending) | Stanford Deep Data Research Center | Stanford Data Ocean
Stanford Medicine | Department of Genetics

Stanford Cancer Institute, Structural Biology and Chemical & Systems Biology Intern

Integrative (Bulk, Spatial & Single-cell biology) Multiomics and Translational Medicine Graduate Training: Courses & Workshops


Stanford Genetics Conference on Structural Variants and DNA Repeats (SVAR23)

Computational Biology + Spatial Biology

2023 Undergraduate
B.S. Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology
San Francisco State University, SFSU, 2020 - 2022
University of Hawaii at Mānoa, UHM, 2010 - 2013
Ohlone College, 2008 - 2015
Modesto Junior College, MJC, 2003 - 2009
High School
Modesto High School, Class of 2007
MHS Theatre
Technician, Lightboard Operator, Stage Manager, Technical Director, Lighting Designer, Modesto High Entertainment and Technology Training (MHETT) Program
International Violinist, Modesto High School Orchestra
France and Beligum, European Union (2006)
English Instructor, Nongkhai Technical College, Nongkhai, Thailand (2005)
Violinist, Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO)

Google Scholar

Research: Projects
Lectures: Presentations

Research

Project III: Graduate Biology Thesis (Exercise Multiomics and Computational Biology)
Topic: Exerkines Mapping, Identification of Novel Exerkines their Functions and Interactions, as well as Impact of Exerkine Network Biology in Disease Prevention and Mitigation.
Data Resources: (MoTrPAC Data Hub, GTEx project) Timeline: Present - December 2024
Stanford Genome Technology Center (Palo Alto)
Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, East Bay

Project III: Virophysics (Computational Structural Predictions) and Organelle Structural Biology
Institutions: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, California State University, East Bay Theme: This research project focuses on exploring the field of virophysics with an emphasis on computational structural predictions. Additionally, the project delves into organelle structural biology to understand the intricate architecture of cellular components and its implications in various physiological processes.
Summary: The project involves the application of computational methods to predict the structural dynamics of viral components, contributing to the field of virophysics. Simultaneously, the investigation into organelle structural biology aims to unravel the complexities of cellular structures and their roles in health and disease. The project integrates experimental and computational approaches to advance our understanding of virus-host interactions and cellular architecture.

Publications
  1. Gómez DJ*. (2023) 'Untangling the Microscopic World of Organelles, Cells, Tissues, and Organs: A Focus on the Dysfunctional Golgi Apparatus in Disease Research †'. Biology and Life Sciences Forum.
  2. Gómez DJ*. (2022) 'Unraveling the Structural Dynamics of Human Pegivirus-1 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Using Computational Methods'. ResearchGate.
  3. Gómez D*. (2022) 'Pioneering Organelle Structural Biology: Golgi Apparatus Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Cancer'. Preprints. 2022100383.

Project II: Coinfections and Cancer: Host-Pathogen Interactions in Dendritic Cells and the Host-Virus-Tumor Interface
Institutions: Drexel University School of Medicine, California State University, East Bay Theme: This research project focuses on investigating the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions in the context of disease development. The project involves both experimental and computational methods to illustrate the molecular and cellular basis of disease pathogenesis.
Summary: The research project encompasses several posters and publications that highlight different aspects of host-pathogen interactions and organelle dysfunction in disease research. The posters presented at the Microbiology Student Group Symposium and the AACR-JCA Joint Conference focus on co-infection and cancer, specifically the role of viral oncogenesis in liver, blood, and brain cancer by host-pathogen interactions. The publications delve into the co-infection and cancer in dendritic cells as well as other oncogenic viruses. The project aims to advance our understanding of the coinfection and cancer mechanisms underlying their disease development and to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Posters
  1. Gómez DJ* . 22nd Microbiology Student Group Symposium Poster / Poster presentation at 22nd Annual Microbiology Student Symposium in Krutch Theater at Clark Kerr UC Berkeley Campus (2023, In-person)
  2. Gómez DJ, Mulherkar T, Sandel G, Jain P.* "Co-infection and cancer: Viral oncogenesis in humans result in liver, blood, and brain cancer by host-pathogen interactions" Poster presentation at 12th Annual AACR-JCA Joint Conference. (2022, Virtual)
Publications
  1. Gómez DJ+, Mulherkar T+, Sandel G, and Jain P*. (2022) 'Co-Infection and Cancer: Host–Pathogen Interaction between Dendritic Cells and HIV-1, HTLV-1, and Other Oncogenic Viruses'. Viruses.

Project I: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
Institutions: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Title: Interleukin-17 Production in CNS by Infiltrating T Cells and Glial Cells in the HIV-1-Infected Brain
Summary: Despite effective combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) for HIV-1-infected individuals, neurocognitive complications persist in patients, leading to negative impacts on daily functioning. The central nervous system (CNS) is affected in multiple ways during HIV infection, as HIV-infected cells cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and initiate events causing CNS damage and neurocognitive problems. This study aims to investigate the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), as IL-17 can disrupt the BBB. The researchers will analyze brain specimens and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from HAND patients with HIV encephalitis (HIVE) and compare them to samples from HIV-infected individuals with normal cognition (NC). The hypothesis is that IL-17A will be found in subcortical structures, specifically in the medium-spiny neurons of the basal ganglia and interneurons in the hippocampus, and that astrocytic secretion of the TH17 cell chemokine (CCL20) and cytokine (IL-17) will be detected in CSF samples of HAND patients with HIVE.

Proposal
  1. Gómez DJ*, Shiramizu, B. (2013) 'IL-17 in HIV-1-Infected CNS'. 28 Mar. 2013. JABSOM, UH Mānoa, Honolulu, HI. TRMD499: Directed Research and Reading.

Presentations

Lecture videos
Presentations

Gene Editing, Therapy & Genome Engineering

Computational Biology + Molecular Biology

Precision bioinformatics

  2. Advancing Your Expertise: Bioinformatics Training for NGS and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
  3. Expanding Horizons: Bioinformatics Training for Mass Spectrometry and Spatial Biology
  4. Advancing Healthcare: Bioinformatics Training for Precision and Preventative Medicine

Structural Biology

Cancer Neuroscience & Tumor Virology

Community

Teaching
[Fall 2022] Clinical Microbiology, CSU East Bay
[Fall 2022] Human Anatomy and Physiology, CSU East Bay
[Spring 2011] General Chemistry I Lab, University of Hawaii at Mānoa

Mentorship
[2023-Present] CSUEB Health Professional Undergraduate(s) [2023] UF MHPMP Mentor
University of Florida (UF) Minority Health Professional Mentorship Program (MHPMP), Pre-Health Club

Outreach
Co-Founder, Vice President of STEM Programs, Myplaceisahappy1
Scientific Programs, Diversity and Health Equity
Advancing patient care through cutting-edge research

Equity & Inclusion
Society of Latinx Engineers (SOLE) "Estanfor"
Chicano Latino Staff & Faculty Association (CLSFA)
Spanish in Healthcare (SHC)
Health Equity Research (HER) Lab Latinx Community