Andrew Santiago-Frangos

Andrew Santiago-Frangos is the M. Jane Williams and Valerie Vargo Presidential Assistant Professor of Biology and Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Biology. His research focuses on understanding how bacteria and archaea employ CRISPR systems to create DNA-based memories of viral infections and signal immune responses. The Santiago-Frangos lab is located in the Leidy Laboratories and uses structural, biochemical, and computational approaches to explore CRISPR integration mechanisms and diagnostic applications.

Education: B.Sc. with Year in Industry (Biochemistry, University of Leicester, 2012); Ph.D. (Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology & Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 2018); Post-Doc (Montana State University, 2023).

Research Interests:

• Mechanisms of CRISPR integration via DNA folding and host protein interactions.
• CRISPR-generated nucleotide signaling pathways and their parallels to eukaryotic immunity.
• Development of CRISPR-based diagnostics (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 detection).

Awards & Funding:

• NIH MOSAIC K99/R00 Grant (2020–2025).
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund Postdoctoral Enrichment Award.
• Frances Velay Fellowship (for student Arav Nangia).

Lab Culture: Emphasizes diversity, open communication, and a strong work-life balance. Core values include curiosity, integrity, and growth. The lab actively mentors undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.

Key Collaborations: Affiliated with the Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics (BMB), Microbiology, Virology & Parasitology (MVP), and Genomics & Computational Biology (GCB) graduate groups at UPenn.