Melissa V. Olson, PhD

• Co-Director, Integrated Genomics Center
• Director, Genetic Resources Core Facility
• Director, Johns Hopkins BioBank

Assistant Professor of Genetic Medicine

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-v-olson-b7286b3b/

Assistant Professor of Pathology

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287

Genomics and translational research infrastructure, Biospecimen science and biobanking, Single-cell and next-generation sequencing technologies, Integrated genomics platforms and data-driven research systems, Research supply chains and operational efficiency in science, Sustainability and scalability of shared research resources, Clinical and cancer genomics

Genetic Resources Core Facility (GRCF)    

My research program focuses on the design, development, and leadership of large-scale shared research infrastructure that enables translational and clinical science. As Director of the Genetic Resources Core Facility (GRCF) and Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Integrated Genomics Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, I lead one of the institution’s largest and most broadly utilized research support platforms, integrating genomics technologies, biospecimen science, and research logistics into a coordinated system that supports more than 5,000 investigators annually.

The GRCF serves as a comprehensive research infrastructure encompassing the Johns Hopkins BioBank, Cell Center, DNA Services, and the Core Store. Collectively, these programs provide end-to-end support for molecular, genomic, and biospecimen-based research, while also serving as a model for sustainable, scalable core facility operations in academic medicine. My work centers on building systems that improve research quality, efficiency, and reproducibility, while enabling investigators to access advanced technologies and high-quality biospecimens at institutional scale.

A central component of this program is the CAP-accredited Biorepository & Cell Center, which I developed and oversee. This facility supports both clinical and basic research through standardized biospecimen processing, cryogenic storage, cell culture, and distribution systems. The program plays a key role in enabling multicenter clinical trials and translational studies by providing high-quality, regulated biospecimen infrastructure for investigators at Johns Hopkins and across collaborating institutions.

In parallel, I have led the expansion of genomics and molecular services within the GRCF, including DNA and RNA analysis, next-generation sequencing, single-cell genomics, and computational bioanalysis. These integrated platforms allow investigators to move seamlessly from biospecimen acquisition through advanced molecular characterization, supporting a wide range of research applications including disease modeling, biomarker discovery, and clinical genomics. This work has contributed to the development of the Johns Hopkins Integrated Genomics Center, which expands and integrates genomic technologies, computational analysis, and biospecimen resources within a unified institutional framework.

A distinguishing element of my program is the development of the GRCF Core Store, a centralized research supply system that aggregates procurement across laboratories to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline access to essential reagents and consumables. This model represents a novel approach to research logistics, positioning supply chains as a form of shared scientific infrastructure that supports daily experimental activity.

Together, these efforts reflect a broader research focus on how integrated infrastructure can serve as a foundation for scientific discovery. By combining biospecimen science, genomics technologies, and coordinated operational systems, my work aims to strengthen the institutional and national research enterprise through scalable, sustainable, and high-impact support models.