Who We Are

The Genetic Design and Engineering Center provides high-throughput DNA design, construction, and sequencing to facilitate high impact research at scale.

We are an interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise spanning synthetic biology, cancer therapy, and engineering. Our team’s bioengineering skills are augmented with state-of-the-art tools to automate the elements of genetic engineering.

We are committed to leveraging our capabilities with the expertise of clinical and academic collaborators to dramatically accelerate the pace, scale, and impact of scientific research. We serve Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, and other institutions seeking synthetic biology solutions.

The GDEC is on the second floor of the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) across from the TMC.

Interested in joining our team?
We are currently hiring research assistants at all levels. Select the following link for more information on the Research Specialist I position.

GDEC map

Executive Committee

Gang Bao
Dr. Gang Bao

Director, GDEC, Department Chair & Foyt Family Professor of Bioengineering

Caleb Bashor Headshot
Dr. Caleb Bashor

Associate Director, GDEC, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering

Jeffrey Tabor
Dr. Jeffrey Tabor

Associate Director, GDEC, Associate Professor of Bioengineering

Ajo-Franklin Headshot
Dr. Caroline Ajo-Franklin

Executive Committee, GDEC, Professor of Biosciences

Isaac Hilton
Dr. Isaac Hilton

Executive committee, GDEC, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering

Cassian Yee
Dr. Cassian Yee, M.D.

Executive committee, GDEC, Professor, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

GDEC Research Scientists

Elizabeth Gardner Headshot
Elizabeth Gardner

Research Assistant Professor of Bioengineering & GDEC Manager

Aishani Saha Headshot
Aishani Saha

Research Specialist, GDEC

Maria Dalibalta Headshot
Maria Dalibalta

Research Specialist, GDEC

GDEC
Events

Rice Events