Bioinformatics and Computational Bioscience Branch Leadership

Branch Chief

Darrell E. Hurt, Ph.D.

Branch Chief

Contact: darrellh@niaid.nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D., 2003, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

M.S., 2001, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

B.S., 1998, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

Languages Spoken: French

Dr. Darrell Hurt joined NIAID in 2006 following postdoctoral work using X-ray crystallography at NIDDK. He led BCBB’s data analysis and research support from 2008 to 2015 when he became the Branch Chief. He specializes in structural biology modeling, including protein folding, docking, and molecular dynamics. He also specializes in 3D printing, visualization, and modeling.

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Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) & Science Support

Mariam Quiñones, Ph.D.

Head of the Science Support Section
Contract Officer Representative
Molecular Biologist Specialist

Contact: quinonesm@niaid.nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D, Molecular Microbiology, 2006, Tufts Medical School, Boston, MA

M.S., Biology, 2000, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX

B.S., Biology, 1997, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Mariam Quiñones currently serves as Head of the Science Support Section in Bioinformatics and Computational Bioscience Branch (BCBB) and Contract Officer Representative. In addition, she contributes as a subject matter expert to the development of resources for genomics and microbiome research such as METAGENOTE and Nephele, a platform for microbiome analysis. She joined BCBB in 2006 and has...

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Science Support

Kurt R. Wollenberg, Ph.D.

(Contractor)

Contact: wollenbergk@niaid.nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D., 1997, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

M.E.A., 1986, George Washington University, Washington, DC

B.S., 1981, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Dr. Wollenberg has been a member of Bioinformatics and Computational Bioscience Branch (BCBB) since 2006, serving as the phylogenetics subject matter expert. He has provided evolutionary analysis of genomic sequence data from various pathogens (e.g., hepatitis C, hepatitis D, Ebola virus, Guaroa virus, Cryptococcus sp., Plasmodium spp, M. tuberculosis) and sequence data for host proteins which...

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Eric Karlins, M.S.

(Contractor)

Contact: karlinser@mail.nih.gov

Education:

M.S. in Computer Science, 2024 (expected), Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA

M.S. in Biotechnology, 2002, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

B.S. in Biology, 1998, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Eric has been a Computational Genomics Specialist with Bioinformatics and Computational Bioscience Branch (BCBB) since 2018, and he’s worked at the NIH since 2000. He works performing bioinformatics analysis for genomics projects ranging from Whole Genome Sequencing to Genome Wide Association Study. He also helps with data engineering projects for the Genomic Research Integration System (GRIS)...

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Software & Database

Michael A. Dolan, Ph.D.

Contact: dolanmi@niaid.nih.gov

Education:

B.S., 1993, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Ph.D., 2000, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Historically, Michael Dolan's research interests have centered around using computational approaches to understand protein structure and function. More recently, he has focused on all areas of bioinformatics and computational biology software development and management.

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Lewis Kim, M.P.H.

(Contractor)

Contact: wongyu.kim@nih.gov

Education:

M.P.H, 2012, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Lewis Kim has been with the Bioinformatics and Computational Bioscience Branch (BCBB) for 11 years. He manages software development resources in alignment with the branch’s priorities and serves the team as Scrum Master or manages projects as needed. Lewis is inspired by automation, curiosity, and innovative ideas.

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Communications & Outreach

Operations

Jason Barnett

(Contractor)

Contact: barnettj@niaid.nih.gov

Education:

B.S. in Biological Sciences and Chemistry, 1997, Marshall University, Huntington, WV

Jason Barnett is the Operations Contract Lead for the Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (BCBB). He has provided operational leadership to BCBB for fifteen years as it has grown from a program to a branch within the NIAID OCICB. Jason specializes in research operations, defining processes and workflows, and developing standard operating procedures to drive efficiencies. He manages...

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Administrative Support

Rebecca Shaffon Bryant, BS

Administration Assistant

Contact: rebecca.bryant@nih.gov

Education:

BS, 1993, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC

Rebecca is an Administrative Assistant in the Bioinformatics Computational Bioscience Branch (BCBB). She assists BCBB with daily administration duties including AMBIS requests, property requests, submission of travel arrangements and a host of other tasks to support the operations of BCBB. During Rebecca’s previous employment, she served over 20 years in the social service field addressing the...

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