David Moraga, Ph.D., director of the Next Generation DNA Sequencing Core at the UF Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (ICBR), retired this summer after 30 years of service. Since 1993, he has played a vital role in advancing the ICBR’s mission of providing cutting-edge scientific technology and research support services to the global scientific community.
The NextGen DNA Sequencing Core is a partnership between the ICBR and the UF Health Cancer Center. The shared resource provides Cancer Center members access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific and technical expertise for conducting impactful genomic-based research studies.
The core provides easy access to cost-effective, high-throughput sequencing services encompassing a broad range of applications for biological research including RNA transcriptome analysis, targeted genome and variant analysis, microbiome analysis, epigenetics and de novo genome assembly.
As director of the core, Moraga oversaw the scientific, technical and administrative management of the core. His responsibilities included supervising a team of molecular biologists and ensuring the successful execution of all projects submitted to the facility. With expertise in various DNA sequencing skills and technologies, Moraga contributed significantly to biological research by assisting students, technicians and principal investigators through consultations, technical advice and contributions to grant proposals and journal publications.
“Dr. Moraga has been a phenomenal resource to UF investigators for next generation sequencing,” said Steve Madore, Ph.D., associate director for shared resources at the UF Health Cancer Center and associate director for science at the ICBR. “His experience and expertise in this technology has not only ensured routine generation of high-quality sequencing data, but has also allowed UF scientists to develop custom methods using DNA sequencing. He has a great passion for good science, which comes across very clearly in any discussions you have with him. Dr. Moraga has directly impacted the research efforts of many, many UF investigators. His legacy of providing world-class DNA sequencing services will live on with the members of the NGS Core he has trained and mentored. We all certainly wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Shared Resource Spotlight
NextGen DNA Sequencing Core
The NextGen DNA Sequencing shared resource provides UF Health Cancer Center members access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The core's scientific and technical expertise helps members conduct impactful genomic-based research studies to advance basic, translational and clinical cancer research activities.
