About SeqCoast

Founded to quickly provide expert support and deliver microbial 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

Senior Science Team

Michelle Clay, Ph.D., SeqCoast’s Director of Genomics Operations, is 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.

Steph Smith, Ph.D., is a Senior 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.

Morgan D. Linney, Ph.D., is an accomplished scientist with a diverse and amphibious (wet- and dry-lab) research background. Morgan’s scientific journey began at Duke University, collaborating with her father on designing a transgenic zebrafish line during high school. As a Microbial Oceanography Ph.D. graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, she developed a novel separation method for sequencing exocellular DNA from seawater, showcasing her strong method development skills. As a postdoctoral scholar at MIT, Morgan used computational biology to exploring marine microbes’ role in CO2 conversion to organic matter (carbon capture). This experience expanded her expertise in RNAseq analysis, snakemake workflows, functional enrichment network analyses, and environmental metagenomics. With a passion for innovation, she excels in applying her diverse background to the advancement of scientific progress.

Sequencing and Bioinformatics Team

Brendan Deschenes is a Next Generation Sequencing Scientist with a degree 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.

Arkadiy Garber M.S. is a bioinformatics scientist with over 9 years of experience. He is the lead author on 7 peer-reviewed publications, has collaborated on a variety of microbe-focused projects, and has developed multiple software packages for analysis of biological sequence data. His doctoral research has primarily focused on geomicrobiology, microbial ecology, environmental and clinical microbiology, symbiosis, and evolutionary biology. Arkadiy continues to drive the development of bioinformatics tools, because accurate, efficient analyses paired with clear visualizations are critical to understanding and acting upon sequencing data to make new discoveries.

Uyen Ly is Genomic Sequencing Technician 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.

Raunak Vijay is a Genomic Sequencing Technician with a B.S. in Biotechnology from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. His interests lie in the fields of bioinformatics, microbiology, and machine learning. His previous research experiences include isolating bacteriophages to combat Borrelia burgdorferi and Lyme disease, as well as utilizing neural network-based approaches to polish long-read genome assemblies.

Board of Advisors

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

SeqCoast Genomics understands the unique challenges of microbial sequencing. We are microbiologists with experience in developing and implementing cutting-edge techniques, both at the bench and for bioinformatics analyses. Our scientists come with experience running a microbial sequencing center that provides fast and collegial services for hundreds of colleagues around the world. The guidance and methods provided to those customers has enriched our understanding of the intricacies of the field.

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 – just 15 days for sequencing results and
21 days including variant calling