Computational Biologist
Marcos Ribeiro-Junior, Ph.D.
Computational Biologist | Forensic Microbiologist | Sequencing-Based Diagnostics for Plant, Animal & Human Pathogens.
About
Ribeiro-Junior is a computational biologist with expertise in molecular diagnostics and pathogen detection using next-generation sequencing technologies (Nanopore/Illumina). He develops innovative tools that combine diagnostics, bioinformatics, and sequencing to identify agricultural, human, and zoonotic pathogens.
Profile
Alma mater São Paulo State University (UNESP); University of Marília (UNIMAR)
Known for e-probe diagnostics (EDNA-MiFi) for plant, human, and zoonotic pathogens
Fields Pathology; bioinformatics; microbial forensics; phylogenetics, genomics
Institutions Oklahoma State University (OSU); Microbe Finder, LLC (MiFi®)
Career
From 2022 he held research roles at Oklahoma State University (OSU) Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (IBMF), working on high-throughput sequencing diagnostics and e-probe design for plant and zoonotic pathogens. He later joined MiFi LLC as a computational biologist scientist and continued as a postdoctoral researcher at OSU (2024–Present).
Current Projects
CDC MiFi® Respiratory Diagnostics (NIH SBIR)
Scalable, genome-aware detection for respiratory pathogens (e.g., measles, mumps, RSV) using e-probes and MiFi® workflows. Includes assay design, internal controls, and validation with clinical panels.
Canopy MiFi® Tick-Borne Diagnostics
Diagnostics for Cytauxzoon felis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis via HTS and e-probes. Emphasis on early detection, threshold refinement, and field validation.
Current Appointments
Microbe Finder, LLC (MiFi®) Computational Biologist — Jan 2025 –Present
Oklahoma State University (OSU/EPP/IBMF) Postdoctoral Researcher — Oct 2024 –Present
Experience
São Paulo State University (UNESP) — Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Protection • Oct 2023 – Sep 2024
Molecular characterization of orthotospoviruses infecting soybean and thrips.
DNA/RNA extraction and Illumina library preparation.
Mentored undergraduate and graduate students in molecular diagnostics.
University of California Riverside (UCR) & Oklahoma State University (OSU) — Remote
Consultant, PFI MiFi for Citrus Project • May 2023 – Jul 2023
Designed and validated e-probes for pathogen detection in citrus.
Conducted beta testing and data analysis using MiFi.tech diagnostic systems.
Prepared reports and technical documents for project supervisors.
Oklahoma State University (OSU) — Stillwater, OK, USA
Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (IBMF) • Jul 2022 – Dec 2022
Developed e-probes for pathogen detection in citrus using high-throughput sequencing (HTS).
Analyzed HTS data for virus, viroid, and bacteria identification.
Published findings in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.
Oklahoma State University (OSU) — Stillwater, OK, USA
Ph.D. Internship, Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (IBMF) • Jan 2021 – Dec 2021
Conducted Nanopore NGS library preparation and sequencing.
Created and curated e-probes to detect global soybean viruses.
Investigated virus identification in crops; developed diagnostic protocols.
São Paulo State University (UNESP) — Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Plant Virology and Plant-Virus-Vector Interaction Laboratory • Mar 2018 – Jun 2022
Molecular identification of thrips and whitefly species using PCR and Sanger sequencing.
Developed molecular markers for detection of thrips.
Surveyed plant viruses and insect vectors in soybean fields.
São Paulo State University (UNESP) — Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Plant Virology and Plant-Virus-Vector Interaction Laboratory • Mar 2016 – Feb 2018
Biological, serological, and molecular identification of plant viruses.
Engaged in farmer outreach for diagnostics and management.
Established virus detection methods in lettuce and chard.
São Paulo State University (UNESP) — Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Temporary Lecturer (Crop Diseases and Phytopathology) • Mar 2016 – Feb 2018
Delivered lectures and practical training on crop disease management.
Supervised student projects and facilitated laboratory exercises.
Additional Information
Languages: Portuguese (native), English (fluent), Spanish (intermediate)
Interests: Agronomy, Plant pathology, Pathology, Entomology, Molecular diagnostics, Bioinformatics, High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, diagnostic solutions for agricultural, human, and zoonotic pathogens.
