Single-Cell and Spatial OMICS Core

People

Salk Institute for Biological Studies - Single-Cell and Spatial OMICS Core - People

Facility Staff


Elsa Molina, PhD

Director
Single-Cell and Spatial Omics Core
emolina@salk.edu

Dr. Molina is a genomics specialist with a strong focus on the emerging fields of single-cell and spatial biology. Dr. Molina earned her BSc from the University of Limoges, France, her Master’s degree from the University of Poitiers, France, and her PhD in genetics and long non-coding RNAs from Federation University, Australia. Dr. Molina has extensive experience in next-generation sequencing, single-cell, and spatial omics, which she developed during her postdoctoral research at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. She then served as Core Director under the Stem Cell Program at the UC San Diego Stem Cell Genomics & Microscopy Core and currently leads the Single-Cell & Spatial Omics Core at the Salk Institute where her team provides state-of-the-art instruments and expertise in single-cell and spatial biology. Driven by a desire to push the boundaries of biomedical research and improve global health, Dr. Molina remains committed to exploring and implementing cutting-edge genomic technologies that keep research internationally competitive.

Cristian Quintero

Core Sr Research Assistant
Single-Cell and Spatial Omics Core
cquintero@salk.edu

After receiving his Certificate of Biotechnology from San Diego Miramar College, Cristian gained valuable experience as a Research Associate working in prominent biotechnology companies such as Abbott Diagnostics and Biocept. After experiencing the industries, Cristian worked at the UC San Diego Stem Cell Genomics & Microscopy Core at the Sanford Consortium of Regenerative Medicine as a Research Associate where he expanded his skills notably in cutting-edge genomic technologies. Cristian joined the Salk Institute in 2023 as a Research Assistant II in the NGS Core where he is an expert in single-cell library preparations, digital gene expression and spatial transcriptomics assays.

Nina Tonnu, BS

Core Research Specialist
Single-Cell and Spatial Omics Core
tonnu@salk.edu

After graduating with a BS in Cells and Molecular Biology from San Diego State University, Nina joined first the Salk Institute in 2001 where she gained tremendous experience as a Research Assistant working in cancer and gene therapy in Dr. Inder Verma laboratory for 19 years. After an experience in the industry, Nina joined again the Salk Institute in 2022 as a Research Assistant III in the NGS Core where she is an expert in library preparations for high-throughput sequencing.

James Nguyen, BS

Core Research Assistant
Single-Cell and Spatial Omics Core
jnguyen@salk.edu

After completing a BS degree in Biochemistry from San Diego State University, James worked for several Biotech/pharma industries, including Beckman Coulter and Alta Analytical Laboratory for 7 years from which he gained valuable insight into immunochemistry and state-of-the-art instruments. James joined the Salk Institute in 2005 as a Research Assistant in the FGL Core where he gained extensive knowledge and experience operating notably real-time PCR instruments and performing DNA Miniprep for plasmid DNA purification assays. In 2014, James joined the NGS Core where he is a specialist in Qiagen DNA Miniprep.