Versiti - Our Investigators | Versiti Blood Research Institute
Bony

De Kumar, PhD

Director of Shared Resources, Investigator

Education and Training

Postdoctoral Training
Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 2017

Doctoral Training
Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 2013

Undergraduate Education
B.Sc, (Agriculture), Kerala Agriculture University, 2000
M.Sc (Biotechnology), TamilNadu Agriculture University, 2003

Contact
Phone 414-937-6871

Research Interests

Dr. De Kumar has providing management of the Core Laboratories at the Versiti Blood Research Institute since 2025. The Research Core Laboratories provide specialized research services to investigators, along with the latest technology in equipment and software. The Core facilities are staffed by specialists and technologists with a high level of expertise in the various technologies provided by the Core labs.

Dr. De Kumar is a molecular biologist with extensive training in genomics, epigenetics, developmental biology, and cell biology. He has worked with a variety of platforms and technologies, including multiple microarray systems, tiling arrays, TaqMan Low‑Density Array (TLDA) cards, microfluidics systems such as Fluidigm, and a broad range of Next‑Generation Sequencing (NGS) methodologies.

Prior to assuming his current role, Dr. De Kumar managed Genomics and Bioinformatics facilities at Yale University and the University of North Dakota. His current research interest on developing blood‑based cell‑free DNA diagnostic tools using DNA‑methylation–based markers for neurodegenerative disorders.

Throughout his career, Dr. De Kumar has maintained a strong commitment to education. He has taught medical and graduate students at both the University of North Dakota and Yale University and has conducted hands‑on bioinformatics workshops at national and international venues to provide training for biology and medical students as well as faculty.

Lab Team

Erin Yttre
Senior Coordinator, Shared Resources and Lab Operations

Trudy Holyst
Senior Research Technologist, Protein Core, Single Cell Core, Shared Instruments

Savannah Neu, PhD
Senior Coordinator, Flow Cytometry Core 

Kelly Beck, MLS (ASCP) 
Flow Cytometry Specialist, Flow Cytometry Core

Marie Schulte, PhD
Imaging Specialist, Microscopic Imaging Core

Kelsey Benton, PhD
Imaging Specialist, Microscopic Imaging Core 

Nicole Leon, HTL (ASCP)
Senior Coordinator, Histology Core

Brad Best
Senior Research Technologist, Vector Core

Eric Michalski
Research Technologist II, Single Cell Core, Vector Core, Shared Instruments 

Jeremy Mattson,
Senior Research Technologist, Thrombosis & Hemostasis Core 

Irene Hernandez
Senior Research Technologist, Hybridoma Core

Zachary Dumar
Research Technologist II, Biorepository Core


  • Element Aviti- Mid throughput short read sequencer for YCGA NIH/SIG. Role: PI. April August 2023 – July 2024; $264,980