Dennis Salinas, MS
Honduras
Summary
Biomedical scientist passionate about bridging wet-lab experimentation and bioinformatics to uncover mechanistic insights from experimental data. Experienced in 10x Genomics single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics, CUT&RUN epigenetics, and long-read Oxford Nanopore pipelines for the study of aging in glial cells.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Specialist I/II
Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Division of Cell & Gene Therapy- Goldman Lab (URMC)
05.2022 - 06.2025
- Generated and analyzed >100 single-cell libraries (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, Fixed RNA, Multiome).
- DNA damage profiling, single-cell preparations and FACS isolation of hESC/iPSC-derived glial progenitor cells for gene knockdown and overexpression studies.
- Optimized CUT&RUN pipelines (wet lab + bash/R), improving peak-calling sensitivity 5-fold.
- Implemented long-read telomere profiling workflow (Oxford Nanopore) resolving telomeres ≥0.4 kb at the chromosome level for aging studies.
Laboratory Services Assistant
Vaccinex Inc.
03.2021 - 05.2022
- Executed molecular cloning experiments and DNA purification in molecular biology workflows.
- Provided lab technical/PM services and maintained communication with multiple research groups.
Education
Master of Science - Data Science (Genomics Track)
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY12.2024
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry, Minor in Epidemiology
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY05.2022
International Baccalaureate Diploma - undefined
United World College (UWC-USA)
Montezuma, NM01.2018
Skills
- Laboratory Techniques: molecular cloning, FACS, MACS, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, nucleic acid extraction, RT-qPCR, digital PCR, bisulfite conversion and DNA methylation qPCR, tissue dissociation, microscopy, southern/western blot, comet assay
- Bioinformatics & Programming: Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, matplotlib, seaborn, Optuna), R (Seurat, DESeq2), SQL, Linux, Machine Learning, Pathway Analysis
- Genomics Tools: 10x Genomics (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, Multiome, Fixed RNA), CellRanger, STARsolo, Bowtie2, Samtools, DeepTools, Bedtools
- Genomic Sequencing Techniques: CUT&RUN/CUT&TAG epigenetics, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, single-cell protocols, Nanopore sequencing, sequencing library preparation, telomere length profiling
Languages
English (fluent)
Spanish (native)
Arabic (intermediate)
ASL (introductory)
Fellowships & Scholarships
- Supplemental Professional Development Funding Award – Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, University of Rochester (2024)
- Merit Scholarship (60%) – Georgen Institute of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, University of Rochester (2023–2024)
- Whipple Science & Research Scholarship (100%), University of Rochester (2018–2022)
- UWC-USA Merit Scholarship (90%), International Baccalaureate program (2016–2018)
Professional Activities
- Poster presenter, Cold Spring Harbor Biological Data Science (2024)
- Participant, Bio-Frontiers Longevity Summit, Infinita City - Roatan, Honduras (2025)
Research Publications & Poster Presentations
- Mariani J.N, Salinas D., Goldman S., et al. Repression of developmental transcription factor networks triggers aging-associated gene expression in human glial progenitor cells. Nature Communications (2024).
- Salinas D., Goldman S., et al. BCL11A activates proliferative, youth-associated gene networks in glial progenitor cells. Biological Data Science, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (Poster presentation: 2024).
- Mansky B., Salinas D., Goldman S., et al. Epigenetic dysregulation prevents aged human GPCs from myelinating the shiverer mouse brain. CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Course (Poster presented by Dr. Mansky; 2024).
- Alejandro C., Salinas D. Characterizing Adrenal Cancer Patients Using Gene Patterns; Blustering Methods. Biological Data Science, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (Poster Presentation: 2024).
Honors & Awards
Cum laude graduate, University of Rochester (2022), Student Employee of the Year nomination, University of Rochester (2021), Dean’s List, University of Rochester (2018-2022), Academic Achievement Recognition (Graduate School), University of Rochester (2024)
Timeline
Research Specialist I/II
Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Division of Cell & Gene Therapy- Goldman Lab (URMC)
05.2022 - 06.2025
Laboratory Services Assistant
Vaccinex Inc.
03.2021 - 05.2022
International Baccalaureate Diploma - undefined
United World College (UWC-USA)
Master of Science - Data Science (Genomics Track)
University of Rochester
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry, Minor in Epidemiology
University of Rochester