Our Team
Solving the world's problems one student at a time
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Dr. John Kauwe helps Hawaiian natives Brooke Laoliokalani Spencer and Alan Loki Alohikea's receive external funding for their lab experience.
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Mentoring is the Key to Success
The Kauwe Lab is run by a highly-skilled team of bioinformaticists, geneticists, biologists, and staff. Each of them exemplify the mission and purposes of BYU by conducting world-class research, spiritually uplifting people with whom they come in contact, and serving the broader BYU community. Below are current and former students who have been part of the lab.
Dr. John S.K. Kauwe
Dr. Kauwe's laboratory seeks to better understand the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes. He has pursued this understanding primarily by studying Alzheimer’s disease genetics using a variety of novel study designs and approaches. Dr. Kauwe has an established research program in this field and has published more than 120 papers in the past decade including high profile publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, Nature Genetics, PNAS, and PLoS Genetics.
Dr. Kauwe's research efforts are conducted with an intentional focus on outreach to populations that are underrepresented in biomedical science. He has an ongoing relationship with Molokai High School, including funded projects to provided scientific mentoring experiences and resources to teachers and students. He also speaks frequently to communities and academic organizations that serve underrepresented populations, including recent engagements in Samoa, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Dr. Kauwe's research efforts are conducted with an intentional focus on outreach to populations that are underrepresented in biomedical science. He has an ongoing relationship with Molokai High School, including funded projects to provided scientific mentoring experiences and resources to teachers and students. He also speaks frequently to communities and academic organizations that serve underrepresented populations, including recent engagements in Samoa, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Dr. Justin Miller
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Justin Miller received his Ph.D. in Biology from Brigham Young University in 2018. He earned a B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2015. Dr. Miller’s research focusses on algorithmic design and development with an emphasis in machine learning. For his dissertation, Dr. Miller analyzed codon usage and coding sequence length biases across the Tree of Life. He is currently applying his research in codon usage dynamics to Alzheimer’s disease by analyzing human subpopulations for disease-specific mutations that affect gene translational efficiency. Dr. Miller is also analyzing population-specific differences that might influence Alzheimer's disease progression.
Dr. Justin Miller received his Ph.D. in Biology from Brigham Young University in 2018. He earned a B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2015. Dr. Miller’s research focusses on algorithmic design and development with an emphasis in machine learning. For his dissertation, Dr. Miller analyzed codon usage and coding sequence length biases across the Tree of Life. He is currently applying his research in codon usage dynamics to Alzheimer’s disease by analyzing human subpopulations for disease-specific mutations that affect gene translational efficiency. Dr. Miller is also analyzing population-specific differences that might influence Alzheimer's disease progression.
Marie Tueller Emmett
Research Administrator
Marie completed an undergraduate degree at BYU and an M.Ed. at Harvard University. As the lab research administrator, she works with Dr. Kauwe to provide support for the many ongoing projects in the lab. She is committed to the lab’s mission and is excited to contribute to continuing successes and outcomes. Marie likes to read and watch soccer while keeping track of the comings and goings of her husband, Chad, a geography professor, and their three children.
Marie completed an undergraduate degree at BYU and an M.Ed. at Harvard University. As the lab research administrator, she works with Dr. Kauwe to provide support for the many ongoing projects in the lab. She is committed to the lab’s mission and is excited to contribute to continuing successes and outcomes. Marie likes to read and watch soccer while keeping track of the comings and goings of her husband, Chad, a geography professor, and their three children.
Madeline Page
Bioinformatics Research Assistant
David Valentine
Experimental Lab Manager
David Valentine received his B.S. degree in Neuroscience from BYU in 2020. In his position as lab manager, he oversees and helps with the various ongoing research projects for rare genetic variants in diseases of interest. He enjoys being active outdoors, spending time with his wife, and reading.
David Valentine received his B.S. degree in Neuroscience from BYU in 2020. In his position as lab manager, he oversees and helps with the various ongoing research projects for rare genetic variants in diseases of interest. He enjoys being active outdoors, spending time with his wife, and reading.
Elizabeth Ward
Bioinformatics Research Assistant
Liz Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2019. Her position as bioinformatician focuses on identifying and analyzing variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Liz enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with her husband.
Liz Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2019. Her position as bioinformatician focuses on identifying and analyzing variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Liz enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with her husband.
Katrisa Ward
Bioinformatics Reasearch Assistant
Katrisa Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2020. Her research focuses on using machine learning algorithms to identify protein coevolution and Alzheimer's Disease subtypes. She enjoys traveling, and her favorite trip so far was the three months that she spent in China teaching English with her husband, Josh. She also enjoys running, reading, and hiking in her free time.
Katrisa Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2020. Her research focuses on using machine learning algorithms to identify protein coevolution and Alzheimer's Disease subtypes. She enjoys traveling, and her favorite trip so far was the three months that she spent in China teaching English with her husband, Josh. She also enjoys running, reading, and hiking in her free time.
Current Graduate Students
Tina Tavana
Biology Undergrad
PhD Grad program
PhD Grad program
Current Undergraduates
Joshua Parker
Physiology and Developmental Biology
Joshua Cassinat
Biology
Matthew Hodgman
Bioinformatics
Louisa Dayton
Bioinformatics
Matthew Cloward
Bioinformatics
Taylor Meurs
Bioinformatics
Ed Ringger
Bioinformatics
Erik Huckvale
Computer Science/Bioinformatics
Braden Patten
Genetics, Genomics & Biotechnology
Micah Heimuli
Biochemistry
Natalie Seufale
Open Major
Kayla Vainerere
Microbiology
Former Lab Members and Alumni
Lab alumni without photos are not shown.
Ben Ainscough
Head of AI and Data Science Product,
Domo
Domo
John Allen
Biology, MS
Brandon Anderson
Pharmacology PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
MacKenzie Stewart Arrington
BS, Family Life
Quentinia Aspinall
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Brooke Spencer Avei
Health Educator/COVID Contact Tracer.
Salt Lake County Health Department
Salt Lake County Health Department
Taylor Avei
Laboratory Technician,
Halia Therapeutics
Halia Therapeutics
Post Doctoral Fellow,
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
Krista Bean
BS, Bioinformatics
Benjamin Bearss
MS candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
PhD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Devan Bursey
Lab Manager,
Halia Therapeutics
Halia Therapeutics
Moroni Chalita
Genetics & Biotechnology
Jesse Cobell
Physician Fellow in Hematology and Oncology,
University of Arizona
University of Arizona
PhD, Biology
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Katherine Crawford
Biology
BS, Bioinformatics
Francisco Darquea
ISU AEGD Residency
Shane Dooley
Bioinformatics Scientist,
Ambry Genetics
Ambry Genetics
Orthopedic surgery resident,
UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San Antonio
MD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Kenisi Fonoimoana
Medical Laboratory Science Student
Austin Gale
Biology
Eden Gillette
Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology
Postdoctoral Fellow,
Van Andel Institute
Van Andel Institute
Omoremi Hamblin
MPH candidate,
Emory University
MBA candidate,
Western Governors University
Emory University
MBA candidate,
Western Governors University
Sheradyn Parker Hamilton
BS, Genomics, Genetics & Biotechnology
Channing Hancock
Head of Business Marketing,
WhatsApp
Ariel Hippen
PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Biodesign Fellow,
Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute/
Founder, Geneial LLC
Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute/
Founder, Geneial LLC
Kameron Ho Ching
Physiology and Developmental Biology
Todd Jaramillo
Associate Podiatrist,
Precision Foot and Ankle Specialists
Precision Foot and Ankle Specialists
Jackson King
MD Candidate,
University of Washington College of Medicine
University of Washington College of Medicine
MD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Exercise Science, BS
Lia Ludlam
MA Candidate,
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Caitlin Lythgoe
Program Coordinator
Center for Simulation and Innovation, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Center for Simulation and Innovation, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Monica Mackay
Software Engineer,
Route
Route
Devon McBee
Senior Product Marketing Manager,
Qualtrics
Qualtrics
Bioinformatics Analyst,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Miles McKee
Surgical Resident,
HCA Menorah Medical Center
HCA Menorah Medical Center
Field Operations Director,
Nomi Health
Nomi Health
Ryan Miller
Data Scientist,
Inherent Biosciences
Inherent Biosciences
Tyler Mower
Business Development,
Customer
Customer
Maveni Palu
Production General,
Nestlé
Nestlé
David Patty
Software Engineer II
Qualtrics
Qualtrics
Ammon Perkes
PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
David Peterson
Medical Student
Duke University School of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Joseph Peterson
Bioinformatics
Calvin Quigley
Biology, BS
Keni Reid
Executive Assistant, Office of the President,
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Brittany Reese
Open Major
Physician
Emma Santiago
Pre-Nursing
Emily Sears
Lab Analyst
Nelson Labs
Nelson Labs
Research Technician,
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Benjamin Song
Bioinformatics
PhD Candidate, Bioinformatics,
University of California, Los Angels
University of California, Los Angels
MS, Biology,
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Ryan Stinger
Medical Student
Georgetown University, School of Medicine
Georgetown University, School of Medicine
William Strong
Resident Physician
Associate Vice President,
Deloitte
Deloitte
Trent Tipton
Pediatric Orthopaedic Physician Assistant,
Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics
Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics
Eleni Tukuafu
Medical Laboratory Scientist
ASCP
ASCP
David Valentine
Kauwe Experimental Lab Manager
Mo Villagran
Data Architect,
InformedDNA
InformedDNA
Austin Wright
Bioinformatics
PhD Student, Bioinformatics
Laboratory Technician,
Neurology Department,
Virginia Commonwealth University
Neurology Department,
Virginia Commonwealth University