I work in a high-integration role at the intersection of aging biology, genomics, statistical modeling, high-performance computation engineering, and scientific writing.
My work is defined less by any single tool or field than by integration: I connect biological questions to statistical models, large-scale computational infrastructure, and clear scientific narratives that can move a project from raw data to publishable insight.
About
I am a research scientist and engineer focused on aging, epigenomics, and large-scale multi-omic analysis. I design computational and statistical frameworks to study how genetic variation, epigenetic regulation, and molecular stress responses shape lifespan, disease risk, and biological decline across species.
What distinguishes my work is that I do not sit neatly within a single lane. I operate in a high-integration role that combines genomics domain expertise, evolutionary reasoning, statistical modeling, high-performance computing, and scientific communication.
- Tooling: R, Python, Bash
- Statistical work: mixed models, genome-scale association analysis, epigenetic clock modeling, causal inference, high-dimensional data analysis
- Infrastructure: SLURM-based high-performance computing, reproducible pipelines, scalable genomics workflows, restartable large-scale analyses
- Scientific scope: aging biology, epigenomics, evolutionary genomics, multi-omics integration, cross-species comparative analysis
What makes my work distinct
Many scientists specialize in one part of the research stack. My work is unusual because it integrates several layers that are often separated across teams.
Statistical modeling
I build and adapt models that can extract biological signal from noisy, structured, and longitudinal genomic data.
HPC engineering
I design scalable workflows that can process millions of genomic and epigenomic measurements efficiently and reproducibly.
Genomics domain expertise
My work is grounded in the biological interpretation of methylation, transcriptional regulation, genomic architecture, and aging-related mechanisms.
Evolutionary reasoning
I frame modern genomic data in the context of lifespan evolution, tradeoffs, comparative biology, and conserved stress-response programs.
Scientific writing
I translate technical analyses into clear figures, arguments, and manuscripts that make complex biological systems legible to collaborators and reviewers.
Research integration
I connect hypothesis generation, computational execution, interpretation, and communication rather than treating them as separate jobs.
In practice, this means I am not only analyzing data. I am often helping define the biological question, designing the statistical approach, building the computational system needed to run it at scale, and shaping the narrative that explains why the result matters.
Education
-
Ph.D., Engineering — University of New Mexico (Graduated with distinction)
- M.Sc., Biomedical Engineering — University of New Mexico
- B.A., Mathematics & Biological Sciences — University of Denver
Professional Appointments
Bioinformatic research scientist and engineer
Snyder-Mackler Lab, Arizona State University
I work on evolutionary genomics and aging biology, developing computational and statistical systems for large-scale cross-species genomic analysis. This includes building workflows that are not only analytically rigorous, but robust enough to operate at modern genomic scale.
Bioinformatic researcher
Dog Aging Project, Dog Aging Institute
I lead large-scale genomic and epigenomic analyses across 900+ dogs to investigate the molecular architecture of aging and lifespan variation. This work integrates GWAS, meQTL mapping, epigenetic clock modeling, longitudinal methylation analysis, and causal inference frameworks.
More broadly, my role often involves bridging disciplines that are usually siloed: engineering workflows, modeling biological signal, interpreting genomic results, and helping translate those results into figures, manuscripts, and scientific strategy.
Selected Publications
-
The Causal Epigenetic Drivers of Age-related Decline in Dog Aging Project dogs
-
Epigenetics Reflect Demographically Compressed Lifespan Dynamics in Domestic Dogs: Findings from the Dog Aging Project
-
Diverse Patterns of Allele-Specific Expression in Healthy Human Tissues
bioRxiv: 10.1101/2025.10.14.682127 -
Increased FICD-mediated protein AMPylation Triggers Conserved Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling Across Species
DOI: 10.1016/j.cstres.2026.100149 ScienceDirect -
Protein Catabolites as Blood-Based Biomarkers of Aging Physiology: Findings From the Dog Aging Project
DOI: 10.1111/acel.70226 -
Induction of Proteasomal Activity in Mammalian Cells by Lifespan-extending tRNA Synthetase Inhibitors
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00938-8 -
Multiomics of GCN4-Dependent Replicative Lifespan Extension Models Reveals Gcn4 as a Regulator of Protein Turnover in Yeast
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216163
Experiences & passions
Outside of research, I am drawn to environments that require endurance, adaptability, communication, and sustained responsibility. Those same qualities shape how I approach science.
- Endurance mountain biker — Training and competing in long-distance mountain bike races, including the 2026 Leadville 100-mile mountain bike race. I am also raising funds for First Descents to support outdoor programming for young adults affected by cancer. Learn more or support the campaign.
- English as a second language educator in Ambato, Ecuador (3 semesters) — Taught 150+ students in a pre-medical program, leading Level 4 English courses at CTT de los Andes.
- Tungurahua province basketball tournament champion (4×) — Competed in regional tournaments in Ecuador, building teamwork and adaptability in a cross-cultural environment.
- Sailing counselor & Director of Activities at Camp Kawanhee for boys (11 summers, Maine) — Led programs, managed responsibility in dynamic settings, and taught through action and trust.
Contact
Email: blaisemariner17@gmail.com