BIO

Dr. Yumary Vasquez is a Posdoctoral Researcher at the DOE's Joint Genome Institute at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Yumary received her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with a minor in Computer Science from California State University, San Marcos before getting her Ph.D. in Quantitative and Systems Biology from University of California, Merced. Her work focuses on evolutionary genomics of microbes in the environment.

ABSTRACT

Giant viruses, formally known as Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs), are a fascinating and complex group that challenge our traditional understanding of viruses. With their enormous genomes, they often get overlooked in conventional virome research. These viral giants infect a variety of single-celled eukaryotes, including algae responsible for harmful algal blooms and amoebas that can cause severe human infections. What makes giant viruses particularly interesting is the thousands of unknown genes inside their genomes. Unlocking the secrets of these genes could lead to innovative ways to protect our environment and improve human health, making giant viruses an exciting subject for scientific exploration.