Entered Program: 2021
Thesis Advisor: Sue Lynch, PhD
Chris was born and raised in San Jose, California where he grew up in a Mexican household. He spent 5 years in the United States Marine Corps where he worked as a communications chief within various military bases in the American southwest, Kuwait, and Bahrain. After transferring out of San Jose Community College to San Jose State University, he began my studies in Molecular Biology with minors in both chemistry and bioinformatics.
Chris is currently working in the lab of Dr. Cleber Ouverney at SJSU where his work focuses on analysis of a lactase and Beta-lactamase enzyme using molecular and bioinformatics techniques to characterize a novel bacterium called TM7 found in the oral microbiome. His research interest in the coming future is to focus on the question of how cells interact within their environment and how these interactions are crucial for proper cell development and its association with diseases. In addition, he wants to develop and utilize methods using my understanding of bioinformatics to better analyze data within my research. Outside of research and school he enjoys spending time with his family and taking part in various outdoor activities such as hiking, bouldering, and camping.
