Michaels Lab
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Todd P. Michael, PhD

Principal Investigator

Todd loves sequencing and analyzing plant genomes. At the Salk his group is part of the Harnessing Plant Initiative (HPI) that aims to develop crop plants that sequester more carbon via extensive root systems containing recalcitrant carbon polymers to fight climate change. Before joining the Salk, Todd directed genome centers at Monsanto, Abbott Laboratories, Rutgers University and the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), where his group sequenced thousands of plant, animal and microbial genomes. He received his PhD on the plant circadian clock from Dartmouth College in the lab of Rob McClung, BA from the University of Virginia where he worked in Michael Timko’s lab, and conducted Postdoctoral research in the lab of Joanne Chory at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
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        Tiffany Duong

        Research Assistant

        Tiffany graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in Chemistry and a BS in Genetics and Plant Biology, and is now a Research Assistant with the Michael lab. She works on nucleic acid extractions and library preparations for next generation sequencing, as well as plant and general maintenance. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, playing games, and needlework crafts.
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              BENFICA XAVIER FERNANDO

              BIOINFORMATICS ANALYST

              Benfica earned her Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, where she focused on developing software applications for genomic data analysis. As a Software Developer, she is interested in utilizing her full-stack web development, data analysis, and cloud computing experience to work on bioinformatics pipeline. She has joined the Michael Lab as part of the Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI), where she works on managing large-scale multi-modal data generated by the HPI. Her current focus is on developing standardized, automated, and reproducible infrastructure for data management. As part of this effort, she contributes to Bloom, a centralized data repository and web app designed to ensure data integrity and accessibility.

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                    Nolan Hartwick

                    Bioinformatics Analyst

                    Nolan is a bioinformatics scientist advancing de novo plant genome assembly and annotation methods for the Michael group. Creating a high quality chromosome scale genomes is an important first step for working with non-model organisms. Before joining the Michael group, he completed a BS at UCSD in bioinformatics where he worked to develop plasmid identification and assembly methods for the SPAdes genome assembler.
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                          Justine Kitony, PhD

                          Postdoctoral Fellow

                          Justine Kitony is a postdoctoral fellow from Kenya. Before joining Salk, he worked as a scientist at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Kitony earned his PhD in Agricultural Science from Nagoya University in Japan, where he developed and analyzed rice nested association mapping populations (aus-NAM). Kitony is working on identifying genetic signatures for improving crop productivity utilizing high-quality genomic sequences and phenotype data from Michael’s group. Currently, Kitony is constructing a sorghum pan-genome for genetic analysis of agronomic traits. Kitony’s research, in a nutshell, aims to provide genomic resources to be used in modern plant breeding programs while also expanding our understanding of plant biology in the face of the world’s growing population and changing climate.

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                                Ryan Lynch, PhD

                                Postdoctoral Fellow

                                Ryan is a plant biologist focused on utilizing genomic data to understand and improve crop species with the Michael group. His current projects focus on dormancy, stress tolerance and carbon storage traits. Prior to joining Salk, he worked as a plant breeder and technology developer, primarily focused on the re-emerging hemp industry. Ryan completed his PhD at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he worked with a variety of plant and microbial species.
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                                      Allen Mamerto

                                      Bioinformatics Analyst

                                      Allen received his Master’s in Biological and Medical Informatics from San Diego State University where he was introduced to plant genomic research focusing on genome assembly and phylogenetic analysis. As a bioinformatics analyst with the Michael group, he is currently working with haplotype phasing of soy genes and analysis using reference-free pan genomes. In his free time, he enjoys hosting tabletop games for friends and family.
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                                            Emily Murray

                                            GRADUATE STUDENT, SIO

                                            Emily Murray graduated from UC San Diego with a BS in Microbiology. She conducted her undergraduate research investigating the microbiota-gut-brain axis, specifically, microbiota and metabolites associated with aging, longevity, and Alzheimer’s disease. She joined the Michael lab in 2022 as a research assistant, working on plant nucleic acid extractions and library preparations, including HMW DNA for long-read sequencing technologies. Outside of the lab, Murray enjoys surfing, gardening, and hiking with her family, friends, and wiener dog.