Edwin Oh, Ph.D.
Professor, Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine Lab
Biography
Edwin Oh, Ph.D., earned his Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology and his Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Following a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Human Genetics at Johns Hopkins University, he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Duke University. Ed is currently a tenured Professor in the UNLV School of Medicine and the College of Sciences, with adjunct positions in Brain Health and the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience.
Research Interest
Ed directs a multidisciplinary research program rooted in genomics, neuroscience, engineering, and computer science, addressing diverse biomedical challenges. From 2018-2023, the team led an NIH R01-funded study investigating ciliary links to schizophrenia. This work involved establishing mutant mouse models, developing CRISPR cell lines, and performing targeted sequencing of ciliary genes in treatment-resistant patients. Collaborating with clinical partners in Las Vegas, the team also investigates risk factors for complex neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injuries, employing advanced techniques in genetics, brain imaging, and blood biomarker analysis.
Recognizing the urgent need for innovative public health solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team collaborated with community partners to develop a wastewater and public health program. They established methods for analyzing SARS-CoV-2 genomes from wastewater and clinical samples, creating the EMPOWER dashboard for Nevada to track viral levels and variants. Supported by several significant grants and public-private partnerships, the lab is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, including liquid handling robots, next-generation sequencers (Illumina NextSeq sequencer and ONT P2 Solo), and mass spectrometers (Shimadzu 8020 MALDI-TOF and 8060NX LC-MS/MS). These tools enable comprehensive genomic and chemical analyses of pathogens, drugs of abuse, and human samples. The team's expertise in bioinformatics and AI techniques further enhances their analytical capabilities.
Building on this interdisciplinary foundation, the team is expanding their 'omics and data science capabilities to track other pathogens and a broader range of chemical analytes, including synthetic opioids, stimulants, and environmental hazards. This expansion aims to strengthen monitoring and early warning systems for public health threats. In parallel, the team is collaboratively developing novel clean water technologies, seeking to translate their wastewater intelligence insights into research and commercial solutions for water purification and sustainable management in water-stressed regions like Nevada.
Areas of Interest and Expertise
Functional Genomics, Infectious Diseases, Clean Water and Wastewater Initiatives, Schizophrenia and Autism, Addiction, and Precision Medicine