Postdoctoral applicant · single-cell / spatial multi-omics · ML/DL
Sarah Connor, Ph.D.
Computational biologist moving from single-cell and spatial multi-omics into connectome-scale neuroscience.
01Profile
Moving from wet-lab immunology into computational neuroscience. I build methods that infer cellular identity, state, and interaction from large, incomplete single-cell and spatial data. Research objective: connect molecular cell identity to circuit structure and function by integrating connectomics with transcriptomics, growing into connectome-constrained circuit models.
02Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher
2025–2026
Nakdong University Wonju College of Medicine · Physiology / Cellular Systems Research Center
Developed deep-learning multimodal-integration models fusing imaging, transcriptomic, and clinical data into single predictive models.
Associate Director, Basic Research
2023–2025
Meridian Immune Therapeutics Inc. · Seoul
Built in-house single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis code from scratch; led cross-functional NHP (cynomolgus, marmoset) EAE/MS multi-omic studies; oversaw regulatory documentation for an anti-CD25 humanized-antibody program.
Manager, Basic Research
2021–2023
Meridian Immune Therapeutics Inc. · Seoul
Xenotransplantation Research Center, HNU · Seoul
Rhesus macaque tissue processing, longitudinal immune monitoring, CNS (brain/spinal cord) tissue handling.
Research Student, MOSAIC
2020–2023
Multi-Organ Single-cell Atlas of Immune Cells, HNU · Genomic Medicine Institute
Contributed the founding proposal; executed within the funded program (500+ donors × 6 organs): milestone tracking, multi-site QC, multi-PI coordination.
03Selected Publications
18total
17peer-reviewed
6first / co-first
1under review
01Reyes M*, Connor S*, Alvarez T*, et al. "Conserved PDE9X short-isoform bias defines pathogenic Th1.17 state across human inflammatory diseases." Nature Immunology IF 27.7 · under review, 2026. UMI-aware BAM-level isoform analysis (Python); scRNA + scTCR + snATAC integration; ML classifier AUC 0.812; 702 samples, 251,055 memory CD4⁺ T cells.
02Connor S*, Tanaka Y*, Truong P*, et al. "Immune cell-enriched scRNA-seq unveils infiltrated CD8⁺ T resident memory cells and meningeal lymphatic endothelium in Parkinson's disease." Journal of Neuroimmunology IF 2.9 · 2025. 9,240 cells, 8 immune populations.
03Connor S*, Delgado J*, Moreau S, et al. "Deciphering Dysfunctional Regulatory T Cells in Vitiligo." Allergy IF 12.6 · 2025.
04Alvarez J*, Connor S*, et al. "Long-term control of diabetes by a baricitinib-based regimen after allo-islet transplantation in diabetic rhesus monkeys." Xenotransplantation IF 3.9 · 2024.
05Novak L*, Connor S*, et al. "Intra-tumoral heterogeneity and immune escape of melanoma arising from chronic UV photodamage revealed by spatial gene expression profiling." JEADV IF 9.2 · 2022.
06Connor S*, et al. "mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression in allogeneic islet transplantation." Islets IF 2.2 · 2019. Co-author: eBioMedicine (2024), JEADV (2024), Current Diabetes Reports (2021).
04Education
Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences
2014–2023
Hangang National University
Mapping Dendritic Cell Heterogeneity Across Chronic Inflammatory Contexts. Advisor: Min-Ho Suh, M.D., Ph.D.
M.S., Biomedical Sciences
2012–2014
Hangang National University
Enhanced LPS-Induced Monocyte Activation by Recombinant Human Soluble CD180.
B.S., Genetic Engineering
2008–2012
Suwon Institute of Life Sciences · Suwon
05Awards & Patents
Anti-CD25 Humanized Antibody (Patent)2024
JAK-Inhibitor Immunosuppression (Patent)2019
Grand Prize, AI Builders Hackathon2024
Grand Prize, Metro Innovation Workathon2023
Best Poster, American Transplant Congress2017
NRF Ph.D. · BK21 Plus · HNU Dean's2014–2020
06Technical Skills
Single-cell / spatial / multi-omic
scRNA-seqscTCR-seqsnRNA/snATACSeuratScanpySquidpyMonocle3CellChat/NicheNetscVI/scANVIconsensus NMFUMI-aware BAM isoform (Python)MiloGLIPHInferCNVGeoMx DSPOlink
Machine learning / DL / AI
Pythonscikit-learnXGBoost/LightGBM/CatBoostPyTorchAUC classifiersVAE/GAN/GNNmultimodal DLAlphaFold2/3ProteinMPNNDiffDockLinuxRGit
Experimental
10x 5′/3′ scRNA + scTCRflow cytometry (24 markers)brain/CNS immune profilingIHC/IFtwo-photonNHP CNS tissueEAE/MS modelsislet transplant
07References
Min-Ho Suh, M.D., Ph.D.
HNU College of Medicine; CEO/CSO, Meridian Immune. Ph.D. advisor.
mhsuh@hangang.ac.krJi-Won Baek, M.D., Ph.D.
HNU, Microbiology & Immunology / IBRI. Computational co-corresponding.
jwbaek@hangang.ac.kr