Alexander Ochoa
Hamden,CT
Summary
Evolutionary biologist and bioinformatician with nine years of postdoctoral experience, specializing in population genomics across diverse species and data types. Proficient in methodologies such as whole-genome sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, ancient DNA analysis, DNA-capture assays, and protein structure, aimed at unraveling the complexities of small population evolution. Strong focus on measuring genomic diversity, adaptive variation, and deleterious mutations in natural populations reveals the intricate interplay of evolutionary processes that drive adaptation, disease emergence, and demographic shifts. Proven track record of leveraging analytical skills and fostering collaborative teamwork has resulted in 20 scientific publications in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and the mentorship of 14 students, reflecting a steadfast commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and effective communication.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Research Scientist
Yale University
New Haven, CT
2022 - Current
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology / Department of Anthropology
- Species delimitation, phylogenomic placement of ultra-low coverage sequences, and assignment of genomic tracts by ancestry from Galapagos giant tortoises
- Phylogenomic placement of ultra-low coverage sequences from gorilla museum specimens
- Reconstruction of Plasmodium mitogenomes from 500-year-old human remains
- Detection of Yersinia in ancient human remains from Mongolia
Postdoctoral Scholar
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
01.2020 - 2022
Department of Biology / Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster
- Genome-wide mutation load estimates and epigenomics in Florida panthers following genetic rescue
Postdoctoral Scholar
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
01.2017 - 01.2020
Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
- Inbreeding characterization (i.e., runs of homozygosity), mutation load estimates, and venom gene evolution in rattlesnakes using genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and capture-based approaches
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
01.2010 - 01.2017
School of Natural Resources and the Environment / School of Plant Sciences
- Assembly and annotation of the first Florida panther genome
- Evolution (e.g., positive selection, gene family expansion/contraction, gene ontology enrichment analyses) in pumas from whole-genome sequences
- Genetics of captive and wild Arabian oryx populations
- Phylogenomics and population genomics of New and Old World begomoviruses
Education
PhD - Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation And Management Emphasis
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ2017
BSc - Biology
Universidad Nacional Autónoma De México
Mexico City, MX2008
Skills
- Bioinformatics (eg, FastQC, AdapterRemoval, BWA, Trinity, SAMtools, GATK, VCFtools, BEDtools, PALEOMIX, ANGSD, ROHan, BLAST, BEAST, IQ-Tree, PAML, Kraken/Bracken, PROVEAN, Phyre)
- Databases and annotation (eg, NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser, MAKER, VEP, BUSCO, RepeatMasker, Infernal)
- Programming languages (Bash, R, Python)
- Experimental design for the discovery of adaptive and deleterious mutations
- Molecular laboratory techniques (DNA extraction/quantification from ancient and modern samples, gel electrophoresis, PCR, library preparation, whole-genome sequencing, cell culture, cloning)
- Genomic data analysis, statistical inference, and data visualization and interpretation
- Scientific writing
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Postdoctoral Scholar
University of Central Florida
01.2020 - 2022
Postdoctoral Scholar
The Ohio State University
01.2017 - 01.2020
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona
01.2010 - 01.2017
Associate Research Scientist
Yale University
2022 - Current
PhD - Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation And Management Emphasis
University of Arizona
BSc - Biology
Universidad Nacional Autónoma De México