Principal Investigator

  • Gurdeep Singh

    Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine

    Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology & Physiology at UNM School of Medicine

    Full Member, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Affiliate Faculty, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University

LAB Members

  • Shane Martinez

    PhD student (Singh lab) - Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (PhD), University of New Mexico (UNM)

  • Sylvia Burris

    PhD student (Singh lab) - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (PhD), George Mason University (GMU)

  • Michael Ortiz

    Medical Student (M.D.), UNM School of Medicine

    Researcher in Singh lab

  • Sam Philips

    Medical Student (M.D.), UNM School of Medicine

    Researcher in Singh lab

  • Justine Goldblatt

    Research Assistant in Singh lab, UNM School of Medicine

  • Tanisha Medha

    BS student in Biochemistry & Anthropology, Concentrating in Human Biology, UNM

    Lab Assistant in Singh lab

LAB Members - details and interests

Shane Martinez is current BSGP PhD student. Prior to joining the BSGP he received his BS in Pharmaceutical Science from UNM. His interests are in genetic engineering, organoid development, and genetic disorder related research. Outside of the lab he enjoys hiking, traveling, and photography!

Sylvia Burris is a PhD student in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at George Mason University. Her research interests include genomics, precision medicine, and drug discovery. Currently, her research in Dr. Singh's lab focuses on the role of enhancers in Uveal Melanoma (UM) and High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC), aiming to identify new therapeutic targets.

Outside of research, Sylvia enjoys hiking scenic trails with her family, traveling to explore new cultures, and is a horticulture enthusiast who loves visiting gardens to unwind and connect with nature.

Michael Ortiz is currently a medical student at the University of New Mexico.

Sam attended the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT where he completed his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering in 2021. As an undergraduate, he was a summer research intern at the Department of Translational Genomics at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. There he investigated methods to increase the production efficiency and efficacy of amplicons used in targeted bisulfite sequencing to measure DNA methylation in breast and ovarian cancer metastasis. After graduation, he worked at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services as a microbiologist performing COVID-19 variant surveillance using Next-Generation Sequencing techniques. Sam is currently a medical student at the University of New Mexico. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and mountain biking in the mountains around Albuquerque.

Justine Goldblatt completed a B.A. in Zoology with a Studio Art minor at the University of Vermont Honors College. Her undergraduate thesis focused on the intersection between art and ecology to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of climate change in Vermont. Justine conducted field research in the rainforests of Bocas del Toro, Panama on the navigational techniques of Opiliones. Justine is interested in understanding molecular drivers of metastasis using Uveal Melanoma model in Singh lab. She is also currently an EMT for Albuquerque Ambulance and wants to pursue a career in medicine. In her free time, Justine loves the outdoors including rock climbing, snowboarding, and hiking.

Tanisha Medha is an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico, pursuing dual degrees in Biochemistry and Anthropology with a focus on Human Biology. She has research experience in cancer biology and molecular genetics, and has presented at an international conference and several summer internships. Outside of academics, Tanisha loves yarn crafts, journaling, drawing, and shopping. A former co-secretary of Pre-Medical Society and communications officer for the Bangladesh Student Association, she now dedicates her time to healthcare volunteering and community service.