Antonio Gomez

Biography

Dr. Jose Antonio Gomez is a first-generation college graduate who grew up in low-income housing in the rural community of Arvin, California. While in high school, he spent his summer months working alongside his mom, picking grapes during the day, and attending migrant summer school in the evenings. The combination of these two experiences allowed him to begin daydreaming about the possibility of attaining a college education. This dream was realized through the investment of many mentors in middle school and high school, which ultimately led him to his admission to UC Berkeley. As a first-generation college student at Berkeley, Dr. Gomez developed his fascination for chemistry and biology and was inspired by the possibility of using STEM as a platform for positive social change. Although Dr. Gomez struggled in the classroom and had many challenges finding laboratory mentors, he eventually found STEM equity programs that allowed him to gain experience in laboratory research.

These college experiences gave him the idea that a PhD degree would allow him to make the most social impact and become an expert in his field. He was accepted into the Microbiology and Immunology doctoral program at Stanford University. During his graduate work, Dr. Gomez characterized a new gene involved in viral infections. He also taught graduate and undergraduate courses in immunology, parasitology, and biotechniques. Following the completion of his PhD, Dr. Gomez carried out postdoctoral training at UC Davis where he researched CRISPR, DNA methylation, and cellular development. His work has been cited in over 500 studies and has most recently identified a new gene involved in neurodevelopment. As a professor, Dr. Gomez continues his focus on supporting students to gain agency as unconventional thinkers and do his best to create and maintain an educational platform that will bring innovation forward.

Education

• Postdoctoral Fellowship Epigenetics, UC Davis
• PhD Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
• BS Chemical Biology, UC Berkeley