Robert Aguilar

At Johns Hopkins, Robert Aguilar is a lecturer for the MS in Biotechnology programs. He is an accomplished bioinformatics professional with over 15 years of experience, equally balancing computational biology and wet lab research. His expertise spans genomic data analysis, molecular biology, genetics, and machine learning, with a focus on cancer research and precision medicine.

Currently serving as a Principal Investigator and Faculty member at The Western Reserve since 2016, Aguilar leads research initiatives exploring the genetic underpinnings of cancer. His work includes developing innovative genomic pipelines, optimizing CRISPR/Cas9 techniques, and applying machine learning for drug discovery and vaccine design. His efforts have led to the identification of multiple therapeutic targets and enhanced research efficiency, significantly impacting cancer studies.

On the wet lab side, Aguilar has optimized CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing techniques, increasing editing accuracy by 25% in prostate cancer cells, and conducted bioinformatics-supported experiments to validate mutations across different cancer cell lines. His lab work integrates seamlessly with computational efforts, using genomic data to identify unique markers and mutations that guide targeted experimental strategies.

Aguilar’s professional journey also includes time as a Visiting Scientist at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, where he contributed to immunotherapy research and managed the Cleveland Clinic Summer Research Internship Program. His work during this period involved developing a testicular cancer vaccine and collaborating across disciplines to refine immunotherapeutic strategies.

Complementing his research, Aguilar has extensive teaching experience. He has held adjunct faculty positions at Purdue University and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, instructing courses in genomics and molecular biology. His curriculum emphasizes the integration of computational tools with wet lab techniques, preparing students for research careers that span both domains. Whether in the lab or behind a computer, Aguilar excels in bridging computational biology and experimental science, advancing healthcare through innovation and education.

Aguilar holds a PhD in Regulatory Biology with a specialization in Cellular and Molecular Medicine and certifications in Machine Learning from Cornell University and Sequence Analysis and Genomics from Johns Hopkins University.