Aficionado of genome organization and function who also enjoys building programs that connect science with society. My work spans computational genomics, science communication, public engagement, and science policy, with a focus on making scientific discovery more accessible, trustworthy, and impactful. Across research, nonprofit leadership, and media, I am interested in how scientists can create knowledge while also strengthening the communities they serve.

Education

PhD, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
UNC Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Graduate Certificate in Innovation for the Public Good
BA, Cellular & Molecular Biology
Occidental College · Los Angeles, CA
  • Minor in Public Health

Research Experience

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Postdoctoral Scholar
Scavuzzo Lab | Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, OH
Fulbright Scholar
Gabriele Lab | San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) · Milan, Italy
Graduate Research Assistant
Phanstiel Lab | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) School of Medicine · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Developing and applying software in R, performing microscropy (DNA FISH) and -omics techniques (Hi-C, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN/ChIP-seq) to investigate the role of 3D chromatin structure in response to environmental stress
  • Oral Defense is publicly available here
Undergraduate Researcher
Schulz Lab | Occidental College Department of Biology · Los Angeles, CA
  • Utilize techniques such as DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and HPLC to find medical relevance of venom
  • Conduct fieldwork in Kauai to study and capture venomous cone snails

Professional Experience

Co-Director of Public Engagement & Development
Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG)
  • Lead outreach, partnerships, and strategic growth initiatives to expand engagement in science policy, elevate early-career voices, and strengthen connections between researchers, policymakers, and the public
Co-Founder
Science For Good
  • Launched Science For Good, a nonprofit organization that empowers researchers to engage with communities, policymakers, and the public through creative science communication, advocacy, and outreach
Science Policy Intern
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director · Bethesda, MD
  • Assist in developing a public vision and framework for including patient and community voices in the design and conduct of NIH-funded clinical research. Help plan public consultations to develop recommendations regarding engagement methods for research employing novel technologies and will be prototyping equitable and inclusive approaches for patient and community engagement. Work can be found here.
Data Science Intern
University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Sorenson Impact Center · Salt Lake City, UT
  • Work alongside the data science team to provide customized data analysis for clients, write code, learn best practices around data sharing and security, as well as create data visualizations and dashboards. Familiarity with Tidyverse set of packages within the R programming language
Student Manager of the Student Coalition for Higher Education
University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Sorenson Impact Center · Salt Lake City, UT

Awards & Accolades

Features & Interviews

Graduate
Undergraduate

Academic Articles

Science
Loopcity: An R package for the detection of chromatin loop communities from Hi-C data
Under Review at Bioinformatics Advances
  • Sarah M Parker, J.P. Flores, Douglas H Phanstiel
Plotgardener App: a graphical interface for publication-ready genomic visualization
Under Review at Bioinformatics
  • Rishabh Sharma Vemuri, Abiye Berhanu, Grace E. Kenney, Sarah M. Parker, Jeffrey T. Phillips, J.P. Flores, Tooba Rashid, Douglas H. Phanstiel
Stress-induced loss of CTCF reveals an alternative, promoter-based mode of cohesin loopingFirst author
bioRxiv & Under Review at Cell Reports
  • J.P. Flores, Andrea A. Perreault, Zack Drum, Chenxi Xu, Doris Cruz Alonso, Gelila Petros, Yijia Wu, Ivana Y. Quiroga-Barber, HyunAh Kim, Isha Sahasrabudhe, Justin Demmerle, Gang Greg Wang, Danfeng Cai, Douglas H. Phanstiel
Aberrant NUP98 condensates activate leukemogenic genes via discrete genomic engagement
Nucleic Acids Research
  • Jing Li, Shizhe Liu, Sunghwan Kim, Jacob Goell, Zachary Allen Drum, John Patrick Flores , Alex J. Ma, Barun Mahata, Mario Escobar, Jeong Hyun Ahn , Rosa Selenia GuerraResendez, Yuhao Zhou, Bo Yu, Michael R. Diehl, Gang Greg Wang, Douglas H. Phanstiel, and Isaac B. Hilton
A BioConductor/R Workflow to Identify and Visualize Differential Chromatin LoopsFirst author
F1000Research
  • JP Flores, Eric Davis, Nicole Kramer, Michael Love, Douglas H. Phanstiel
Mariner: Explore the Hi-Cs
Bioinformatics
  • Eric S. Davis, Sarah M. Parker, Nicole E. Kramer, J.P. Flores, Manjari Kiran, Douglas H. Phanstiel
Policy & Outreach
Science communication and public engagement training as a required component of STEM graduate education
Accepted at the ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
  • Rose M. Albert*, Brendon E. M. Davis,*, Miles J. Arnett, Abhilasha Bellapu, Rebecca C. Blyn, Dimitris Boufidis, Cael Dant, Isako Di Tomassi, Kassandra Fernandez, Amanda Finn, JP Flores, Stacy Godfreey-Igwe, Shaurita D. Hutchins, Priyam Joshi, Hannah Kubinski, Andrew H. Mattson, Clare F. McCann, Erin Morrow, Anna Rader Groves, David Ramotowski, Alex Rich, Emily K. Selland
The Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP): building infrastructure for early-career scientists in policy and public engagement
BioScience
  • Miles Arnett, Dimitris Boufidis, Cael Dant, Brendon Davis, Isako Di Tomassi, Kassandra Fernandez, Amanda Finn, JP Flores, Saul J Flores, Alex Lando, Erin Morrow, Disha Patel, Anna Rader Groves, David Ramotowski, Alex Rich, Emma Scales, Lani Tran
Why we organized ‘Stand Up For Science’
Nature Human Behaviour
  • Leslie Berntsen, Emma Courtney, Colette Delawalla, JP Flores, Samantha Goldstein interviewed by Charlotte Payne
The power of podcasting as a platform for equity in scienceFirst author
Journal Of Cellular Physiology
  • JP Flores
Advance U.S. international diplomacy efforts by expanding eligibility in the Embassy Science Fellows Program
Journal of Science Policy and Governance
  • Rami Major, JP Flores, Rachel Cherney
Qualitative
Qualitative Content Analysis Reveals Factors that Influence a Scientist’s Journey and Career TrajectoryFirst author
Est. submission Spring 2027
  • JP Flores
Early Career Researcher Responses to 2025 United States Federal Science Funding Disruptions: A Rapid-Response Pilot SurveyFirst author
Accepted at Frontiers of Sociology
  • Crystal Hammond, John Patrick Flores, Siara Rouzer, Kassandra Fernandez, Amy Ralston, Adriana Bankston

Non-Academic Articles

What Happens to the Next Generation of Scientists if Politicians, Not Peers, Determine Research Funding
Science Politics
  • Scientist Network for Advancing Policy
We’re Training Scientists for a World That No Longer Exists
Science Politics
OPINION: Pathways for future scientists are becoming scarce, threatening a strong and innovative workforce
The Hechinger Report
The Cells That Help the Gut Keep Time
GeneBites
  • Edited by Amanda N. Weiss and Jayati Sharma, PhD
Rewriting the Cycle: How a New Model Could Transform Women’s Health
GeneBites
  • Edited by Zach Patterson and Jameson Blount
The X and Y Divide Isn’t Binary
GeneBites
  • Edited by Jameson Blount, Amanda N. Weiss, and Hannah Kubinski
Science Funding Cuts Break the Research Pipeline
SciTech Forefront
  • Bankston Group (SRC) & Science For Good
Dear Colleagues: Help us build the Atlas Projects by celebrating the stories of underrepresented scientists
Civic Science Observer
John Patrick “JP” Flores | Why Science Funding Matters
The Signal SCV
Op-Ed: What Science Funding Cuts Mean for NC
INDYWeek
How did humans lose their tails?
GeneBites
  • Edited by Jayati Sharma
Exploring Rare Diseases in the 'Dark Matter' of DNA
GeneBites
  • Edited by Jameson Blount & Jayati Sharma
Writing About Race in Biological Science
UNC TIBBS
  • Anna Wheless, Micah Hysong, JP Flores , Laura Raffield, PhD, Nikea Pittman, PhD , Gail Henderson, PhD
Zoom fatigue: Just one COVID-19 college experience challenge
Inside Higher Ed
Letter to the editor: Occidental student-athletes demand accountability
The Occidental

Invited Talks & Workshops

Plenary Session: Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP): Building a New Generation of Scientists Who Lead in Policy and Civic Engagement
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting Science at Scale · Phoenix, AZ
Using multimedia platforms and storytelling to communicate science (Panel)
ComSciCon - Triangle · Durham, NC
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
Occidental College Department of Biology Seminar · Los Angeles, CA
Decoding “The Atlas”: Student-led Efforts to Inspire the Next Generation of Diverse Scientists
SACNAS NDiSTEM · Columbus, OH
Representation Matters: An Atlas of Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists
posit::conf(2025) · Atlanta, GA
In response to stress: genomes & people
HHMI Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Science Talks · Chevy Chase, MD
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
University of Utah Graduate Student Rising Stars Symosium · Salt Lake City, UT
Panelist: What Canadian Science Communicators Need to Know About the Changing US Science Landscape
Science Writers & Communicators of Canada (SWCC) · Remote
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
UCLA Emerging Genomics Scientists Symposium · Los Angeles, CA
Parallel Studies of Chromatin Dynamics and Developing the Next Generation of Scientists
Brown University Institute of Biology, Engineering, and Medicine · Providence, RI
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
Tri-Institutional Future Scholar Symposium: Genetics and Cancer at University of Alabama, Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
8th Annual UNC Chromatin & Epigenetics Symposium
Invited Talk, UNC Department of Genetics Retreat · Chapel Hill, NC
Mapping Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists for the Next Generation of Diverse Scientists
La Conferencia, UNC Carolina Latinx Center with Jovan Tormes Vaquerano · Chapel Hill, NC
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
Invited Talk, UNC Department of Genetics Retreat · Myrtle Beach, SC
The role of 3D chromatin structure in response to environmental stress
Invited Talk, Sixth Annual Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit Conference for Early Career Scholars · Providence, RI
GradSchool 101 Workshop: Public Speaking
Cientifico Latino Graduate Student Executive Committee (GSEC) · Remote
Building Tomorrow’s Biomedical Workforce Webinar Series
Frontiers in Research Metrics & Analytics · Remote
  • Building Tomorrow’s Biomedical Workforce Webinar Series: A series of two webinars will cover broad systemic issues facing graduate and postdoctoral trainee populations in their education, training and career development; improving training environments by developing greater inclusivity, increased wellness and effective mentoring relationships; and will address needed government and institutional policy changes, systemic reforms, and federal government policies and actions.
Flash Talk: Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromating interactions
Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Retreat · Chapel Hill, NC
From where does it STEM? : Humanizing Science using science communication & storytelling
Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research and Education (SPIRE) - IRACDA Conference · Chapel Hill, NC
The role of 3D chromatin structure in response to environmental stress
Invited talk, McDaniel College Department of Biology · Westminster, MD
the people of posit: bringing personality to R packages
posit::conf(2023) · Chicago, IL
Student-Equity-Centric: A Vision for the Future of Higher Education
University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Sorenson Impact Center · Salt Lake City, UT

Poster Presentations

Brewing Trust & Broadcasting Truth: A Scientist’s Origin Story
ComSciCon 2025 · Boston, MA
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
American Society for Human Genetics (ASHG) · Denver, CO
  • Reviewer's Choice Abstract
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
UNC 6th Annual Chromatin & Epigenetics Symposium · Chapel Hill, NC
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
Keystone Symposium: Chromatin Architecture in Human Disease & Development · Victoria, BC
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
10th Annual Mid-Atlantic PREP & IMSD Research Symposium · Blacksburg, VA
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
5th Annual Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit Conference for Early Career Scholars · Providence, RI
Hyperosmotic stress induces complete rewiring of chromatin interactions
Duke Biomolecular Condensates Symposium · Durham, NC
From Sequence to Activity: Synthetic Neuroexcitatory Peptides from Fish-Hunting Cone Snails
Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research · San Pedro, CA
From Sequence to Activity: Synthetic Neuroexcitatory Peptides from Fish-Hunting Cone Snails
Society for Intergrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting · Austin, TX
From Sequence to Activity: Synthetic Neuroexcitatory Peptides from Fish-Hunting Cone Snails
Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting · San Diego, CA

Teaching Experience

R & Multilevel Modeling (MLM) Workshop
C. Schiller Lab - UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Promoting Inclusivity in the Research Environment
JEDI Leadership Fellows Program · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Workshop allowing researchers to recognize systemic barriers to inclusion and their impacts on individuals and society, take concrete steps to build supportive relationships with those from marginalized groups, and use their advantages to promote an equitable lab environment
BCB 723 Statistical Genetics & Genomics
Curriculum in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Department of Genetics · Chapel Hill, NC
How to Learn to Code
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Summer miniseries about the basics of computer programming/coding for biological research
  • Curriculum Development Team & Teacher
WinSpire `Dancing with Data!`
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Using the programming language R, high school students with marginalized gender identities, worked with data from Spotify. We explored which songs are the best to dance to, do homework to, cry to, and everything in between. Students gained experience in having fun in science, data wrangling & manipulation, data visualization, and science communication
WinSpire `Digging Deeper`
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Workshop covering the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in science for high school students with marginalized gender identities
Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes Tutor
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost - UNC-CH · Chapel Hill, NC
BIO 268 Biostatistics
Occidental College Department of Biology · Los Angeles, CA

Training & Certifications

AIBS Communications Boot Camp for Scientists
  • Completed intensive training focused on enhancing science communication skills for diverse audiences. Developed expertise in message framing, media engagement, policy communication, and storytelling to effectively convey complex scientific concepts to non-expert stakeholders.
edX The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project
  • Trained facilitator for the national, NSF-funded Inclusive STEM teaching Project (ISTP). ISTP supports the professional development of faculty, largely in STEM, as reflective, inclusive practitioners through a 6-week, free online course and associated learning communities. ISTP has reached 11,240 participants to date. Learning communities are small groups of faculty and sometimes PhD students and postdocs who meet to engage with the course content, contextualize it to the local department or teaching context, share their own experiences and create a community of practice. ISTP nationally trains facilitators like me to lead these learning communities.
Effective Mentoring Training
  • Foundation for developing competencies and skills in effective communication, aligning expectations, assessing progress and understanding, addressing equity and inclusion, fostering independence, cultivating ethical behavior, and being able to articulate a mentoring philosophy to others

Service

External Service
Institutional Service | UNC Chapel Hill
  • Leadership Group, UNC Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program
  • Student Admissions Commitee, UNC Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee, UNC Genetics
  • Scientist Ambassador, North Carolina DNA Day Connect
  • Scientist Ambassador, Shadow a Scientist UNC
  • Students in Training, Academia, Medicine, and Research Program (STAHR), UNC School of Medicine Office of DEI
  • Lead Peer Mentor, GeNe F1 UNC Department of Genetics
  • Steering Commitee Member, UNC Curriculum in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
  • Peer Mentor, North Carolina A&T Bridges to the Doctorate Program
  • Peer Mentor, Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Biological Mechanisms (SURE-REU)
  • First-Year Group (FYG) Peer Mentor, UNC Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program
  • Admissions Diversity Advocate, UNC Office of Graduate Education
  • Strategic Planning Steering Committee, UNC School of Medicine
  • Bench/ Peer Mentor, Educational Pathways in Genomics Research (EDGE) at UNC
  • Peer Mentor Advisory Board, Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
  • Peer Mentor/Interviewer, Chancellor's Science Scholars
  • Director of External Affairs, Science Policy and Advocacy Group (SPAG)
  • Invited Speaker Seminar Student Committee, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Department of Genetics
  • First-Year Group (FYG) Lead Peer Mentor, UNC Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP)
Institutional Service | Occidental College
  • NCAA Division III Baseball Team, Occidental College Dept. of Athletics
  • Student-Athlete Advisory Commitee, Occidental College Dept. of Athletics
  • Diversity and Equity Board, Associated Students of Occidental College
  • Students for Equity & Advocacy in STEM, Occidental College
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) Committee, Occidental College Dept. of Athletics
  • ViSTA (Volunteers in Service of Tiger Admission), Occidental College Alumni
  • Alumni Secretary, Occidental College Class of 2021
  • Tour Guide, Occidental College Office of Admissions