Curriculum Vitae

George Eusebio Kuodza

Postdoctoral Scholar in Epigenetics
LinkedIn | GitHub | Website
Email: gekuodza@ucdavis.edu | Phone: 530-752-7207

Professional Summary

Hardworking and enthusiastic postdoctoral scholar in the field of genetics and epigenetics at the University of California, Davis. Passionate about understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Focused on exploring how environmental exposure interacts with DNA methylation to influence health outcomes across generations.

Key Skills

Intermediate/Advanced bioinformatics experience: R (primary), SAS, Python, Github, Shell)
Data Analysis: DNA methylation calling(WGBS), Lipidomics
Quantitative Analysis: Statistical Modeling (linear, logistic, generalized linear models, and ANOVA) and Network and Correlation Analysis
Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills
Wet Lab: DNA isolation (saliva, buffy coat, newborn dried blood spots), designing primers, and performing PCR
Team Work: Collaboration, Interpersonal skills
Primary Care Physician
Problem Solving

Professional Experience

Codeathon Researcher

African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | Feb 2024 - July 2024

I was the team lead and we analyzed 3 public datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in hippocampal and neocortex tissues of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) patients using an in-silico approach
Identified 2139 DEGs and 2195 DMRs, significantly enriched in pathways related to gliogenesis, immune response, ion transport, neuron projection development, synapse assembly, and signal transduction
Highlighted potential biomarkers for TLE, including CELSR1, RBFOX3, SYN2, and CDH13, emphasizing their roles in early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies

Postdoctoral Scholar

University of California, Davis, CA, USA | July 2022 – Present

Researching epigenetics, focusing on DNA methylation in neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer
Published and presented findings at national and international conferences
Mentored 3 Pre-med Undergraduate students and 2 international students

Assistant Lecturer, Family Medicine Department

Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine | September 2020 – June 2022

Became the 1st international student employed to work as an assistant lecturer in the department of Family Medicine
Designed and implemented curricula for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
Delivered lessons through various methods, including online seminars and interactive tests
Supervised students in clinical skill development through role-play and practical sessions

Family Medicine Residency

Municipal Family Clinic, Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine | July 2019 – July 2021

Welcomed and prepared patients for consultations
Measured and recorded vital signs, contributing to initial assessments
Assisted physicians during examinations and participated in treatment planning

Final Year Medical Internship

Transcarpathian Regional Hospital, Uzhhorod, Ukraine | September 2018 – July 2019

3 Month Rotations in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine: Performed ward rounds, diagnostics, and outpatient care
Surgery: Focused on pre- and post-surgical care
Obstetrics and Gynecology: Observed and discussed complicated and interesting clinical cases
Pediatrics: Visited patients in the ward conditions and discussed treatment plans with attending physician, observed administration vaccinations, and monitored developmental milestones

Summer Medical Internship

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe | May 2017 - August 2017

Monthly rotations in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine: Performed ward rounds, diagnostics, and outpatient care
Surgery: Focused on pre- and post-surgical care
Obstetrics and Gynecology: Assisted in surgeries, including C-sections and hysterectomies, and provided prenatal care
Pediatrics: Visited patients in the ward conditions and discussed treatment plans with attending physician, observed administration vaccinations, and monitored developmental milestones

Summer Medical Internship

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe | May 2016 - August 2016

Monthly rotations in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine: Performed ward rounds, diagnostics, and outpatient care
Surgery: Focused on pre- and post-surgical care
Obstetrics and Gynecology: Assisted in surgeries, including C-sections and hysterectomies, and provided prenatal care
Pediatrics: Visited patients in the ward conditions and discussed treatment plans with attending physician, observed administration vaccinations, and monitored developmental milestones

Education

Master’s of Advanced Study in Clinical Research
University of California, Davis, CA, USA GPA: 3.46 | June 2023 - June 2025
Family Medicine PhD (Incomplete due to war in Ukraine)
Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine | July 2021 - February 2022
Master’s in Family Medicine (Residency)
Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine | July 2019 - July 2021
Medical Doctor
Uzhhorod National University,Uzhhorod, Ukraine GPA: 3.658 | September 2013 - June 2019

Current Projects

Multigenerational inheritance of DNA methylation signatures in autism spectrum disorders

The focus of this project is to try to understand if grandparental and parental environmental exposures, such as smoking, can be associated with ASD in their grandchildren. This study utilizes data from whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of saliva and newborn dried blood spots.
Parental and grandparental exposome and breast cancer biomarkers in daughters and granddaughters

This project is focused on understanding the risk factors for breast cancer and how they are related to DNA methylation changes.
Detect Signs of Early Life Exposures in Midlife to Prevent Breast Cancer Inequities

The goal of this project is to detect early life exposures associated with breast cancer.
Goals for Reaching Optimal Wellness (GROWell)

It is a clinical trial focused on understanding the effect of a digital dietary intervention for pregnant and postpartum individuals with prenatal overweight or obesity.
Genotyping of a structural variant associated with increased autism risk

This project is focused on understanding how the genotype for the NHIP structural variant is associated with ASD.

Publications

Articles

Mouat JS, Krigbaum NY, Hakam S, Thrall E, Kuodza GE, Mellis J, Yasui DH, Cirillo PM, Ludena Y, Schmidt RJ, La Merrill MA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Cohn BA, LaSalle JM. Sex-specific DNA methylation signatures of autism spectrum disorder from whole genome bisulfite sequencing of newborn blood . bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Dec 2:2024.07.11.603098. doi: 10.1101/2024.07.11.603098. Update in: Biol Sex Differ. 2025 Apr 30;16(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s13293-025-00712-9. PMID: 39026708; PMCID: PMC11257592. Available from: https://bsd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13293-025-00712-9
Kuodza GE, Kawai R, LaSalle JM. Intercontinental insights into autism spectrum disorder: a synthesis of environmental influences and DNA methylation. Environ Epigenetics [Internet]. 2024 Dec 19 [cited 2024 Dec 23];10(1):dvae023. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/eep/article/doi/10.1093/eep/dvae023/7884223
Hajdarevic S, Högberg C, Marzo-Castillejo M, Siliņa V, Sawicka-Powierza J, Esteva M, Koskela T, Petek D, Contreras-Martos S, Mangione M, Ožvačić Adžić Z, Asenova R, Gašparović Babić S, Brekke M, Buczkowski K, Buono N, Çifçili SS, Dinant GJ, Doorn B, Hoffman RD, Kuodza G, Murchie P, Pilv L, Puia A, Rapalavicius A, Smyrnakis E, Weltermann B, Harris M. Exploring why European primary care physicians sometimes do not think of, or act on, a possible cancer diagnosis: A qualitative study. BJGP Open [Internet]. 2023 Dec [cited 2024 Dec 23];7(4):BJGPO.2023.0029. Available from: http://bjgpopen.org/lookup/doi/10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0029
Shushman I, Kolesnyk A, Kolesnyk P, Kuodza G, Mykyta I, Bayen S, Frese T. Validation of a modified questionnaire to assess Ukrainian Family Physicians’ readiness to implement the evidence-based screening recommendations into their clinical practice, using a mixed method study. BMC Prim Care. 2022;23(1). Available from: https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-022-01818-4
Kolesnyk P, Bayen S, Shushman I, Kolesnyk A, Kuodza G, Klemenc-Ketič Z, Frese T. Identification and Ranking of Core Values in Family Medicine: A Mixed Methods Study From Ukraine. Front Med [Internet]. 2021 Mar 22 [cited 2024 Dec 23];8:646276. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.646276/full
Kuodza GE, Kolesnyk PO. An antibiotic drug-induced allergic reaction in a patient with multiple comorbidities. Clinical Case. Achievements of Clinical and Experimental Medicine [Internet]. 2020 Aug 20 [cited 2024 Dec 23];(2):211–4. Available from: https://ojs.tdmu.edu.ua/index.php/zdobutky-eks-med/article/view/11348
Kuodza G, Kolesnyk A, Kolesnyk P, Matyukha L. Who Wants to be a Family Doctor in Ukraine? An Opinion Survey among Senior Undergraduate Students. Recipe [Internet]. 2020 Jul 21 [cited 2024 Dec 23];(2–3):248–57. Available from: https://recipe.recipe.by/ru/?editions=2020-tom-23-n-2-3&group_id=item_0&article_id=line_7

Abstracts

Kalami J, Kuodza GE, Nyamari MN, Goita MK, Osata S, Ifeoluwa OH, Olaitan A. Integrated Analysis of Genetic Variation, Gene Expression and Methylation Changes Uncovers Molecular Alterations in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. American Society of Human Genetics 2024 Annual Meeting Poster Abstracts [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.ashg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ASHG2024-PosterAbstracts.pdf
Kuodza GE, Kawai R, Rodriguez YJL, Mouat JS, Hakam SM, Sullivan TN, Torvick CR, Bennett DH, Hertz-Picciotto I, LaSalle JM. Multigenerational impact on DNA methylation signatures in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-clinical-and-translational-science/article/567-multigenerational-impacts-on-dna-methylation-signatures-in-autism-spectrum-disorder/30401E84F6216CE8236B635B79776CA2
Kuodza GE, Ludena YJ, Mouat JS, Hakam SM, Kawai R, Sullivan TN, Torvick CR, Bennett DH, Hertz-Picciotto I, LaSalle JM. Multigenerational impact on DNA methylation signatures in autism spectrum disorder. ASHG Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.ashg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ASHG2023-PosterAbstracts.pdf
Kolesnyk P, Ilkov O, Kozhanova M, Kolesnyk A, Rusanovska O, Mykyta T, Sabov O, Kuodza G. Is a Family Doctors’ and Nurses’ Training a Good Way for Changing Their Attitude Towards COVID-19 Vaccination? 94th EGPRN Meeting Abstracts [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.egprn.org/
Kolesnyk P, Kuodza G. Are Thoughts, Attitudes, and Perceptions Regarding Sexual Risks the Same Among Different Ethnic Groups of Foreign Medical Students in Ukraine? 94th EGPRN Meeting Abstracts [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.egprn.org/
Kolesnyk P, Bayen S, Shushman I, Kolesnyk A, Kuodza G, Klemenc-Ketič Z, Frese T. Peer-elaboration, and ranking of core values in general practice in post-Soviet Ukraine. EGPRN Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.egprn.org/profile/a8aee801-f4e3-4422-839e-5798c0b21ed1/Pavlo-Kolesnyk
Kuodza G, Mykyta I, Kolesnyk P. Ways of avoiding self-diagnosis among Ukrainian patients. WONCA Europe Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.woncaeurope.org/file/19c9f9dc-fa5e-428e-997c-37671a6174a0/WONCA%20Berlin_Book%20of%20Abstracts_Index
Kuodza G, Kolesnyk P, Kolesnyk A. The perception of Family Medicine among foreign undergraduates and Ukrainian students of Uzhgorod National University. ABC Course for Young Scientists [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G, Kolesnyk P, Kolesnyk A. The perception of Family Medicine among foreign undergraduates of Uzhgorod National University. Ukrainian Association of Family Doctors Conference [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G, Kolesnyk P, Kolesnyk A. The perception of Family Medicine among foreign undergraduates of Uzhgorod National University. WONCA Conference of Family Doctors [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G, Kolesnyk P, Kolesnyk A. The perception of Family Medicine among foreign undergraduates of Uzhgorod National University. UMESCO Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G, Ternushak T. Risk of developing atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COPD. UMESCO Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G, Ternushak T. Cardiac arrhythmias in patients with COPD. XVI International Scientific Conference [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G. Factors Affecting Choice of Family Medicine Among Undergraduates. XVI International Scientific Conference [Internet]. 2019.
Kuodza G. Risk Factors For Atherosclerosis In Patients with COPD. UMESCO Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2018.
Gomo NE, Kuodza G, Essel K. Nosocomial Infection. UMESCO Conference Abstracts [Internet]. 2015.

Presentations

Oral

Juneteenth Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA June 2025
21th Annual Clinical Translational Science Center (CTSC) Scholar Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA June 2025
10th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA April 2025
Human Genomics Focus Group (HGFG), University of California, Davis, CA, USA September 2024
20th Annual Clinical Translational Science Center (CTSC) Scholar Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA May 2024
9th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA April 2024
African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Omic Codeathon, Online April 2024
Genome Center Research Retreat,University of California, Davis, CA, USA April 2024
Association for Clinical and Translational Science, Las Vegas, NV, USA April 2024
8th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA March 2023
World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), Online (COVID) December 2020
11th Annual Scientific and Practical Conference for Family Doctors with International Participation, Online (COVID) December 2020
Achievements of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Ternopil University, Online (COVID) June 2020
ABC course for Young Scientists, Uzhhorod, Ukraine October 2019
Ukrainian Association of Family Doctors Conference, Kyiv, Ukraine June 2019
World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), Bratislava, Slovakia June 2019
Uzhhorod Medical Students Conference (UMESCO), Family Medicine Division, Uzhhorod, Ukraine April 2019
Uzhhorod Medical Students Conference (UMESCO), Internal Medicine Division, Uzhhorod Ukraine April 2019
Art of Medical Oration 4th Annual Conference, Uzhhorod, Ukraine May 2018
Uzhhorod Medical Students Conference (UMESCO), Uzhhorod, Ukraine April 2018

Poster

Krebs Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA April 2025
International Society of Autism Research (INSAR), Seattle, WA, USA April 2025
2nd Annual Women’s History Month Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA March 2025
11th Annual UC Davis Human Genomics Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA November 2024
American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), CO, USA November 2024
Genome Center Halloween Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA October 2024
Environmental Health Sciences Center’s Annual Retreat, University of California, Davis, CA, USA October 2024
Association for Clinical and Translational Science, NV, USA April 2024
10th Annual UC Davis Human Genomics Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA November 2023
American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), DC, USA November 2023
Genome Center Halloween Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA October 2023

Honors and Awards

2nd place Oral Presentation 10th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA April 2025
Barry Wolfe and Jacqueline Crawley Travel Award University of California, Davis, CA, USA April 2025
Travel Award International Society of Autism Research (INSAR), Seattle, WA, USA April 2025
Travel Award Clinical Research Education in Genome Science Short Course, NY, USA August 2024
3rd place Oral Presentation African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Omic Codeathon, Online April 2024

Top 3 Finalist at the 3-Minute Thesis Oral Presentation

Association of Clinical and Translational Science Conference, NV, USA

April 2024

Trainee Pilot Grant for Genotyping an ASD Structural Variant ($10,000), Human Genomics Focus Group, University of California, Davis, CA, USA

June 2023

1st place Poster Presentation 10th Annual Human Genomics Symposium, University of California, Davis, CA, USA November 2023
Travel Award The Whole Scientist Short Course – Jackson Laboratory, CT September 2022
Pilot Grant for Lipidomics ($2,000) Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA September 2022

1st place Poster Presentation

Young Scientist Presenters among Family Doctors at the Ukrainian Association of Family Doctors Conference, Kyiv, Ukraine

June 2019

3rd place Oral Presentation Internal Medicine Division Uzhhorod Medical Students Conference, Uzhhorod, Ukraine April 2019
2nd place Oral Presentation Art of Medical Oration 4th Annual Conference, Uzhhorod, Ukraine May 2018
2nd place Oral Presentation Internal Medicine Division Uzhhorod Medical Students Conference, Uzhhorod, Ukraine April 2018

Professional Affiliations

Member, International Genetic Epidemiology Society (IGES) November 2024 - Present
Member, International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) October 2024 - Present
Member, Association of Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) April 2024 - Present
Judge, Postdoctoral Scholar Association, University of California April 2024 - April 2024
Member, African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB) February 2024 - Present
Abstract Reviewer, Postdoctoral Scholar Association, University of California April 2023 - April 2023
Member, American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) November 2023 - Present
Member, Perinatal Origin of Development (POD) Centre, University of California, Davis, September 2022 - Present
Member, European General Practitioner Research Network (EGRPN) February 2022 - Present
Welfare and Education Committee, African Students Association of Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine September 2021 - February 2022
Member, European Academy of Teachers (EURACT) September 2020 - June 2022
Member, Örenäs Research Group September 2019 - Present

Contact Information

For collaboration or inquiries, please reach out via gekuodza@ucdavis.edu or phone: 530-220-4085.