About SeqCoast
Founded to quickly provide expert support and deliver genomic insights at any stage in your discovery process
More than just a sequencing core
We believe that there has never been a better time to study microbes. Innovation in microbial sequencing and bioinformatics analyses has expanded the depth of questions that can be asked and answered. Our commitment is making these technologies accessible to every scientist who wishes to use them, no matter your level of experience.
We’re researchers solving our own problems and looking to share that experience with you. That’s why we provide expert-guided advice and advanced data analysis with a streamlined ordering process and transparent pricing.
Meet Our Team of Experts
NGS Scientists
Michelle Clay, Ph.D. is SeqCoast’s Director of Genomics Operations and a microbiologist with over a decade of research experience supporting basic science, translational medicine, and entrepreneurial goals. Michelle earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at Dartmouth College investigating microbial physiology and evolution in chronic infections of persons with cystic fibrosis, and she conducted her postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh on the evolutionary dynamics of bacterial populations at high resolution. She has specialized knowledge of advanced microbiology techniques and analyses, including next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. She also has experience in mentoring, group leadership, and project management, always working to achieve clear communication and a reciprocal feedback process. She enjoys developing streamlined, accessible protocols and techniques, and she is motivated by seeing the fruits of her labors develop into meaningful scientific discoveries.
Brendan Deschenes is a Next Generation Sequencing Scientist with a B.S. in Medical Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire. He has experience in molecular biology and microbial genetics from his work with Vibrio bacteria in the Whistler and Jones labs at UNH. He is interested in bacterial and fungal ecology and evolution.
Uyen Ly is a Genomic Sequencing Technician II with a B.S. in Biotechnology from the University of New Hampshire. Her interests lie within the realm of synthetic biology. Her previous research focused on the characterization of human neural stem cells as well as isolation of transglutaminase from TG2-expressing bacteria to aid in cross-linking of hydrogels for ECM support for human neural stem cells. She is currently working on her Master’s in Biotechnology with a concentration in Biomedical and Industrial Science.
Elizabeth Dwinell is a Genomic Sequencing Technician who brings a unique blend of clinical and lab experience to the SeqCoast Genomics team. She has six years of wet lab industry experience and eight years of bedside nursing experience. With a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of New Hampshire and a B.S.N. from Simmons College, she’s passionate about using science to improve lives. Outside of the lab, she loves spending time outdoors and lives near the beach, where she enjoys soaking up the coastal life whenever she can.
Ralph Cerbone is an NGS Lab Assistant who is currently pursuing a B.S. in Genetics at the University of New Hampshire, where he also conducts research in the Plachetzki Lab. His laboratory experience pertains to cell culture and identification of bacterial pathogens as well as molecular techniques including DNA extraction and quantification. Ralph is particularly fascinated by marine model organisms and their potential to reveal insights into evolution, development, and biomedical research.
Bioinformatics Scientists
Numair Ali is a Bioinformatics Scientist with a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He specializes in analyzing DNA sequencing data across a range of applications, including genomics, metagenomics, and pangenomics. His interests lie in the coding side of bioinformatics, with a focus on building efficient, reliable pipelines that prepare NGS data for downstream analyses. Numair is currently pursuing his M.S. in Bioinformatics at Marquette University, with his current research focusing on metagenomic surveillance of antibiotic resistance genes.
Genevieve Baddoo
Board of Advisors
Joel R. Sevinsky, Ph.D. is an expert in applied bioinformatics and public health microbiology. He has several decades of experience utilizing advanced technologies to tackle challenges in cancer biology, biomarker identification, environmental and industrial microbiology, and pathogen genomics. The past 10 years have seen Joel take aim at transforming public health and infectious disease surveillance through innovative implementation of NGS and bioinformatics technologies. During a three-year tenure at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, he led several initiatives to build NGS testing and bioinformatics capacity at the state, regional, and national levels. In 2019, Joel’s ambitions to impact public health exceeded his role as a government scientist, resulting in the formation of Theiagen Genomics. Theiagen Genomics now provides advanced bioinformatics solutions for pathogen genomics to several dozen laboratories both nationally and internationally.
Rick Conzemius, Ph.D. is a biotech professional and microbial genomics specialist with deep expertise in next-generation sequencing and pathogen surveillance. He has led the development of scalable, cloud-native bioinformatics pipelines for clinical and public health applications, with a strong focus on antimicrobial resistance detection, outbreak investigation, and genomic epidemiology. His PhD research bridged computational biology and infectious disease, exploring novel methods for AMR gene detection.
As Head of R&D at a biotechnology company, Rick directed cross-functional teams to integrate genomic technologies into laboratory and clinical workflows, ensuring regulatory compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA) and real-world utility. He also played a key role in establishing and delivering one of the first public-private contracts for pathogen genomics between a public hospital system and industry. Rick has authored over 20 publications and is passionate about translating genomics into actionable insights that improve public health outcomes and accelerate precision medicine.
Josh Hamilton, Ph.D. is a seasoned bioinformatician specializing in next-generation therapeutics. He has held various positions within the biotech industry, with expertise in bioinformatics, machine learning, software development, and systems architecture. He is passionate about discovering novel biological insights from large datasets, with a goal of developing life-changing therapies for patients. Dr. Hamilton received his PhD in 2014, and he has authored over 15 patents and publications.
Steph Smith, Ph.D. is a scientist with nine years of microbiology research experience. Steph earned their Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina studying horizontal gene transfer and bacterial interactions in beneficial marine symbioses. As a postdoc at UNC’s Institute for Marine Sciences, they investigated the role of bacterial community structures linked to oyster mortality disease. Equipped with an extensive skill set ranging from molecular techniques to next-generation sequencing, Steph also brings field experience and a knack for ecological research. Their passion lies in experimental design, ensuring sequencing projects align seamlessly with overarching research objectives. Steph is driven by a mission to make science accessible and to find creative ways to answer complex questions.
Vaughn Cooper, Ph.D. is Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Computational and Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research uses genomics and bioinformatics to study the process of evolution in action. He has authored over 100 publications on the evolution of microbial genomes and communities.
Michael Sullivan is an operations and development leader with a focus on building strong technical teams that deliver innovative products and services. He has experience working with small businesses to apply process, systems, and technology to produce quality results.
Thomas Novak, CPA is a financial leader with industry experience in biotech, manufacturing, and eCommerce services around the world. He helps companies develop business strategies, partnerships, teams, processes, and technology solutions that are tightly aligned with customer needs.
We are microbiologists with decades of experience
We are driven by innovation and obsessed with the details
- Expertise in microbial sample handling and processing
- Experimental design consultation so you get the results you need
- Streamlined ordering and friendly customer service
- Flexible ordering for sample preparation, sequencing, and data
analysis with no sample minimums - Transparent pricing with clear value
- Fast turn around times
