Daniel S. Rokhsar, Ph.D, DOE Joint Genome Institute, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, Faculty Scientist, LBNL
Dr. Rokhsar joined the DOE Joint Genome Institute in 2000 as the founding Associate Director for Computational Genomics, and led the computational efforts directed towards the sequencing, annotation, and analysis of three human chromosomes. After successful completion of the human genome project, Professor Dr. Rokhsar ’s team has continued to develop computational methods applicable to the diverse eukaryotic species, which they have applied and refined in the sequencing and evolutionary analysis of over fifty plant and animal genomes. He currently leads the JGI’s Computational Genomics group, and is past lead of the Eukaryotic Genome Program (2010-2019), and JGI Chief Informatics Officer (2013-2016). Dr. Rokhsar joined the faculty of University of California, Berkeley in 1989, as a member of the Physics Department and in 2002 he became a Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development after his research interests shifted from condensed matter physics to computational biology, genomics and evolutionary biology. Dr. Rokhsar’s research is focused on understanding the origin, evolution, and diversity of plants and animals by combining computational genome analysis, sequence-based genetic methods, and comparative developmental biology. In addition to this evolutionary focus, his work on plant genomics is targeted towards the development of improved biofuel feedstocks and understanding and ultimately assisting the adaptation of plants to changing environments.
Education
- AB in Physics, Princeton University, NJ
- MS in Theoretical Physics, Cornell University, NY
- PhD in Physics, Cornell University, NY
- Postdoctoral scientist, IBM Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY
Research Interests
Professor Rokhsar’s research is focused on understanding the origin, evolution, and diversity of plants and animals by combining computational genome analysis, sequence-based genetic methods, and comparative developmental biology. In addition to this evolutionary focus, his work on plant genomics is targeted towards the development of improved biofuel feedstocks and understanding and ultimately assisting the adaptation of plants to changing environments.
Awards and Service
- 2018 Marthella Foskett Brown Chair, Computational Biology, UC Berkeley
- 2012 Cotton Biotechnology Award, National Cotton Council
- 2009 Friday Evening Lecturer, Marine Biological Laboratory
- 2000 John Simon Guggenheim Fellow
- 2000-present Program Director, Berkeley NHGRI Training Program in Genomics and Computational Biology