Katrina Kalantar

Katrina Kalantar is a Lead Computational Biologist at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) based in San Francisco, California.1 She has been with CZI for about 5 years, having joined in February 2019 as a Senior Computational Biologist and progressing to her current role.12

Professional Background

Kalantar specializes in developing methods for interpreting next-generation sequencing data to improve human health.1 Her expertise includes:

• Large-scale NGS data analysis
• Pipeline development
• Metagenomics
• Biomarker discovery
• Statistical analysis
• Machine learning
• Data visualization

She is proficient in Python programming, R statistical analysis, various bioinformatics tools, and D3.js.1

Education

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics from UC Berkeley - UCSF Program in Bioengineering (2015-2019)1
• B.S. in Computer Science with a Specialization in Bioinformatics from the University of California San Diego (2010-2014)1

Career History

Before joining CZI, Kalantar's experience included:

• PhD Candidate at UC Berkeley UCSF Joint Bioengineering Program (2015-2019)
• Software Test Engineer at Illumina (2013-2015)
• Research Intern at The Scripps Research Institute (2013)
• SULI Summer Research Intern at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2012)1

Personal Interests

Kalantar is passionate about diversity in science and supports programs that encourage underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers. She has contributed to organizations like Techbridge Girls and Brave Trails, which provide STEM education and leadership opportunities for girls of color, gender-expansive youth, and LGBTQ+ youth.2