Our People

Jorge Gandara

jog2033@med.cornell.edu

Jorge Gandara is a dedicated laboratory manager and microbiome expert who has been pivotal in advancing microbiome research at Weill Cornell Medicine. Originally from Guatemala, he earned a Bachelor's in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Stony Brook University. 

Jorge's notable contributions include his involvement in the groundbreaking MetaSUB project, which mapped microbial life in New York City’s subway system. He has been instrumental in establishing the Core facility and developing protocols for cutting-edge technologies such as 16S sequencing and metagenomic sequencing.

Positions:

• Key Contributor, MetaSUB Global Initiative

• Microbiome Core Manager, Weill Cornell Medicine

Alexander Grier

M.S.

alg4028@med.cornell.edu

As the Senior Computational Bioinformatician of the Microbiome Core, Alex has extensive experience in computational biology, microbiome research, and advanced sequencing technologies. He earned both a B.S. and M.S. in Bioinformatics from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2013, where he developed a strong foundation in computational protein function prediction and distributed computing. 

Having studied the microbiome and its implications for health and disease for more than a decade, Alex currently divides his time between the Microbiome Core and the Jill Roberts Institute for Bowel Disease. His current research interests lie in systems and integrative biology, with particular emphasis on the microbiome and its interactions with the immune system.

Positions:

• Senior Computational Bioinformatician, Jill Roberts Institute for IBD Research — IBD Science (WCMC)

David Artis

Ph.D.

jog2033@med.cornell.edu

Dr. David Artis is a distinguished immunologist with extensive expertise in the regulation of immune responses, particularly at barrier surfaces such as the intestine. His research aims to unravel the complexities of immune function and its implications for health and diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

As a leading figure at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Artis has fostered collaborative research that translates findings from pre-clinical models into clinical applications, enhancing our understanding of the microbiome's role in immune-mediated conditions.

Positions:

• Michael Kors Professor of Immunology

• Director, Jill Roberts Institute for IBD Research

• Co-Founder & Senior Board Advisor, Microbiome Core at Weill Cornell Medicine

Iliyan Iliev

Ph.D.

jog2033@med.cornell.edu

Iliyan D. Iliev is a prominent figure in microbiome research, serving as the Head of the Laboratory and Co-Founder of the Microbiome Core at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Established in 2014, his lab has become a global center for investigating the intricate relationships between immune responses, microbiota, and inflammation. His innovative research explores the roles of fungi and other microorganisms in various biological processes, contributing to our understanding of the microbiome's impact on human health.

Positions:

• Co-Founder & Senior Board Advisor, Microbiome Core

• Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology in Medicine

Randy Longman

M.D., Ph.D.

jog2033@med.cornell.edu

Dr. Randy Longman is an accomplished physician and researcher specializing in the intersection of microbiome science and IBD. With a strong educational background, he earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, followed by a medical degree from Cornell Medical College and a Ph.D. in immunology from Rockefeller University. 

Dr. Longman focuses on understanding the role of bacteria in IBD, contributing significantly to the field through his clinical practice and research. His work has been published in prestigious journals, and he has received multiple accolades for his contributions.

Positions:

• Assistant Professor of Medicine

• Director, Jill Roberts Center for IBD

• Co-Founder & Senior Board Advisor, Microbiome Core

Doron Betel

Ph.D.

jog2033@med.cornell.edu

Positions:

• Co-Director of the Epigenomics Core Facility

• Assistant Professor, Institute for Computational Biomedicine

• Associate Professor of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine

Alicia Alonso

Ph.D.

jog2033@med.cornell.edu

Positions:

• Epigenomics Core Director

• Associate Professor of Molecular Biology Research in Medicine