Treehouse UCSC Bioinformatics Immersion (TUBI) is a research group sponsored by Treehouse and the Vaske lab. Researchers work in a supportive environment on bioinformatics projects related to finding novel drug targets for pediatric cancer patients using gene expression analysis.

2025 TUBI events

TUBI will meet online with some hybrid options during the UCSC Winter 2025 quarter (January 6-March 21).

The application for the winter 2025 session of TUBI is here. 

There will be two TUBI info sessions, an in-person session in 123 Sinsheimer at 2:40pm Wednesday November 6, and a online TUBI info session 12-1pm Tuesday November 12 (zoom link). 

If you are interested in TUBI and other research opportunities, please join this mailing list: https://groups.google.com/u/1/a/ucsc.edu/g/treehouse-research-opportunities-group

What is TUBI like?

Emily Silva, TUBI 2021 researcher and mentor:

“Coming from a neuro- and cognitive science background, I had little knowledge of coding bioinformatics. When I first started at TUBI I was nervous and overwhelmed when I was not able to correctly create a file for specified variants. However, with the help of the head researchers and fellow peers, TUBI had provided an environment that motivated me to learn from my mistakes and acquire new skills such as creating public directories to interpreting scientific findings. I strongly urge students who are a part of STEM to apply as a group of researchers for TUBI  because not only are you gaining first-hand experience in shell coding and science-based research, but you are also receiving one-to-one interactions with professionals who genuinely want to see you succeed. This is why TUBI provides students with little to no background in coding the opportunity to learn the basics of Unix and contribute to a platform that provides free knowledge of cancer research to those in need. Whether or not your area of focus is in bioinformatics or cancer research, the experience of working at TUBI will benefit any student who is exploring different scientific pathways.” 

Lucy Zheng, TUBI 2021 researcher and mentor:

“If someone asks me where to begin their involvement with research, I would strongly recommend starting with TUBI. Being a part of both sessions of TUBI 2021, I was able to not only get a better understanding of the computational tools such as using Unix commands but also obtain the ability to be directly involved in helping the Vaske lab/ Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative. With a bioinformatics concentration of BMEB major, my experience with TUBI has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how computational skill sets and programming can be used to enhance biological research. Most importantly, I was able to meet the faculty members within Treehouse which consist of computational scientists and graduate students. To students who are interested, don’t hesitate to apply! This is a great opportunity to explore your interested field(s) in research!”

“I thought most of the research was writing grants and writing papers. I didn’t know… you could get to talk to doctors about data and how it could be applied in a clinical setting!”

– Dylan Shiramizu, TUBI Alum and Research Bioinformatician at Cedars-Sinai

2024 Researchers

America Fernandez
Celeste Longo
Darlene Mendoza
Delaney Boman
Estefany Zavala Rico
Feather Ives
Gepoliano Chaves
Goodness Nwakudu
Grace Pantoja
Grant De Leon
Hope Maldonado
Jaidan Jenkins-Kiefer
Jalen Hinson
Karyme Fierros
Katherine Becker
Kayla Tiefenbach
Marcela Ceballos
Miah-Annelisa Zamora
Owen Moosman
Samantha Garcia
Valeria Barrera Verduzco
Vanessa Medel

2023 Researchers

Ainsley Smith
Amy Mcdaniel
April Knutson
Daniella Gershater
Hannah Wang
Joleen Chow
Liza Tsyvinsky
Mansi Khare
Nayeli Zozaya
Neha Nallan
Oscar Villa Cornejo
Priya Charagondla
Rachel Houlihan
Rosa Sanchez
Sasha Santilla
Sarah Khair
Soli Munoz
Tiffany Sparks
Zeltzin España

Summer 2022 researchers

Winter quarter 2022 researchers

2021 Researchers

Nia Russell  

Boi-san Nguyen

Boi-van Nguyen

Sanjana Paul