Edwin Saada became a part of LLNL in early 2021, contributing to ongoing Global Security work and several pandemic-related projects across BBTD. His involvement spans both internally funded projects through LDRD and externally funded endeavors supported by DTRA, DARPA, and JPEO. With a robust interdisciplinary background, Edwin holds a keen interest in developing countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases, and in support of developing new tools, such as CRISPR-genome editing systems. His current major efforts are as the Biology Lead for the PROTECT project, and Task Lead within various aspects of the GUIDE project.

Prior to joining LLNL, Edwin conducted postdoctoral research in the Systems Biology group at Sandia National Laboratories, where he spearheaded multiple CRISPR and virology-based project initiatives. During his doctoral studies, he delved into the identification and characterization of novel flagellar cAMP signaling systems in Trypanosoma brucei, a human infectious parasite. Before that, he worked as a research associate at the functional genomics startup, SwitchGear Genomics. As an undergraduate student, he held a research internship at the Center for Vectorborne Diseases at UC Davis. 

Edwin has co-authored 20 publications, holds several issued patents, and has delivered talks at notable conferences, including most recently the 2019 Genome Engineering: Frontiers of CRISPR/Cas. At LLNL, he actively participates as a member of the Biosafety Stakeholders Advisory Group and has received commendation for his internal service, representation, and community outreach efforts through SPOT awards. Notably, his involvement in LLNL-led work pertaining to urgent antibody redesign against the emerging Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in his selection as a recipient of the esteemed 2022 Director's Science and Technology Award.

PhD, Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics, UCLA

BS, Biotechnology, UC Davis