The study of the Genome (a set of genetic information in an organism) is revolutionizing research in gaining deeper insights on the functioning of living beings. Karen Miga is one such known face in the midst of several prominent scientists who, in her own rights, is redefining the course for genomic research. Born Karen Elizabeth Hayden Miga, she is a genomics expert leading the Telomere-to Telomere consortium whose aim is to complete the assembly of the human genome. Miga serves at the University of California, Santa Cruz as an Assistant Research Scientist. Miga was also named by Nature’s 10 as “One to Watch” in their 2020 edition.
What are Karen Miga’s educational qualifications?
Miga attended the University of Tennessee where she studied biological sciences. In order to complete her graduation, she moved to Case Western Reserve University. It was here that she had earned her Master’s degree in the year 2004. She conducted and completed her field work at la Station d’Etude des Gorilleset des Chimpanzes. Miga moved to Duke University after completing her Master’s degree. At the Duke University, she worked in the area of genetics and genomics. Huntington Willard supervised her doctoral research.
How has Karen Miga’s research career as a Genomic expert progressed?
Karen Miga joined David Haussler’s laboratory in 2012 at the University of California, Santa Cruz. At UCSC, Miga combined computation approaches with experimental approaches. It was here that she started leading the telomere-to-telomere consortium, which is known to be a community-based effort seeking to fully sequence as well as assemble the human genome.
Miga’s research efforts are based on and use long-read sequencing strategies. She uses the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencer which is used to analyze DNA by detecting changes in the current flow when the DNA passes through nanopores in a membrane. She also serves as the Director of the Human Pangenome Production Centre. The Centre seeks to contribute to the next human pangenome reference map by the creation of 350 T2T diploid genomes. This developing map will support the development of customized therapeutics.
What is Karen Miga’s estimated net worth?
Karen Miga is a prominent genomic expert working as an assistant at a prestigious Public University that assures a generous stipend as well as her association as a Director at Human Pangenome Production center. Some websites estimate her net worth to be a whopping $ 5 million however her assets have not been disclosed.