Zeid Hamadeh

PhD, MS2, Scientist & Genome Analyst

Clinical research scientist and genome analyst at Vancouver General Hospital and medical student at the University of British Columbia combining advanced genomic analysis with medical training to bridge computational biology and clinical medicine. Work focuses on structural variants, cancer genomics, and implementing cutting-edge sequencing technologies in diagnostic laboratories, making genomic medicine accessible globally and addressing disparities in genomic research representation.

Recent Work

Research

Optical Genome Mapping

Clinical implementation of advanced genome analysis technology at Vancouver General Hospital.

Single-Cell Sequencing

Novel approaches to cellular analysis and genomic profiling at single-cell resolution.

Clinical Journal of Pathology

Application of long-read sequencing technology in acute myeloid leukemia diagnostics.

View all research →
Latest Articles

Recent Writing

Global Genomic Gap

Based on my TEDxUBC 2025 talk on global disparities in genomic research.

Epigenetic Inheritance

How environmental factors influence gene expression across generations.

Hidden Heritablity

The mystery of missing heritability in complex genetic traits.

View all writing →
In Progress

Current Projects

Clinical Decision Making Learning Grid

Interactive clinical reasoning framework for structuring differential diagnosis and likelihood-based reasoning.

Multiple Choice Interactive Question Bank

Open-access practice platform for medical students with tagged questions and performance tracking.

COVID-19 Trend Tracker

Interactive R Shiny dashboard for visualizing global COVID-19 trends with R₀ estimation and rolling averages.

View all projects →
Publications

Research

Clinical Project · Current

Optical Genome Mapping

Clinical implementation of advanced genome analysis technology for structural variant detection.

Leading the clinical integration of optical genome mapping (OGM) technology at Vancouver General Hospital. This cutting-edge approach enables comprehensive detection of structural variants, providing insights that traditional sequencing methods may miss in cancer diagnostics and genetic disease evaluation.

Clinical Journal of Pathology · 2024

Nanopore Sequencing in AML

Application of long-read sequencing technology in acute myeloid leukemia diagnostics.

Clinical implementation of nanopore sequencing for rapid detection of genomic alterations in AML, demonstrating potential for real-time diagnostics and treatment planning.

Genome Research · 2024

HPV Integration and Cancer Genome Regulation

Long-read sequencing of cervical cancer genomes reveals diverse HPV integration architectures and allele-specific effects on gene regulation.

This work identifies structural classes of HPV-human genomic rearrangements, shows how integration configuration and methylation status shape local chromatin, and demonstrates widespread cis effects on gene expression surrounding the integrated allele.

Cell Reports Methods · 2021

Single-Cell Sequencing

Novel approaches to cellular analysis and genomic profiling at single-cell resolution.

This work presents innovative methodologies for analyzing genomic data at the single-cell level, enabling more precise characterization of cellular heterogeneity in cancer and other complex diseases.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology · 2020

DNA Repair in Hereditary Cancer

Investigating mechanisms of genome stability in cancer predisposition syndromes.

Research focused on understanding how defects in DNA repair pathways contribute to hereditary cancer susceptibility, with implications for genetic counseling and targeted therapies.

Genomics · 2022

Genome Instability in Cancer

Understanding genomic alterations driving cancer development and progression.

Comprehensive analysis of chromosomal instability patterns in cancer genomes, identifying key mechanisms that drive tumor evolution and therapeutic resistance.

PhD Thesis · UBC · 2024

The Role of RECQL5 Helicase in Suppressing Genome Instability

Investigating how loss of RECQL5 leads to increased genome instability through elevated sister chromatid exchanges and double-strand breaks.

Demonstrates that RECQL5 prevents inappropriate recombination at G-quadruplex–rich transcribed genomic regions.

Articles

Science Writing

Genomics · Global Health · TEDxUBC 2025

Global Genomic Gap

Addressing disparities in genomic research and the need for diverse representation in genetic databases.

Based on my TEDxUBC 2025 talk. An exploration of how the lack of diversity in genomic datasets creates health inequities and limits the potential of precision medicine for underrepresented populations worldwide.

Epigenetics · Inheritance · 2021

Epigenetic Inheritance

Exploring how environmental factors influence gene expression across generations.

A deep dive into transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, examining how environmental exposures can leave lasting molecular marks that affect descendants.

Genetics · Heritability · 2020

Epigenetic Inheritance

Unraveling the mystery of missing heritability in complex genetic traits.

Investigating why genome-wide association studies often fail to explain the full heritability of complex traits, and what this means for our understanding of genetics.

Molecular Biology · 2019

DNA Repair

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that maintain genome integrity.

An overview of DNA repair pathways and their critical role in preventing mutations, aging, and cancer development.

Oncology · 2016
Cancer

Insights into cancer biology, genomics, and the evolution of malignancies.

A comprehensive look at cancer as an evolutionary process, examining how tumors develop, adapt, and resist treatment through genomic changes.

Development

Projects

Educational Tool · Current

MCQ Question Bank

Interactive multiple-choice question bank designed for medical education and exam preparation.

A comprehensive web-based platform for creating, organizing, and practicing medical multiple-choice questions. Features include custom question sets, performance tracking, and detailed explanations for each answer. Built to support medical students in their preparation for board examinations and clinical assessments.

Demo video of the MCQ Question Bank interface · Launch App →
Educational Tool · Current

CDM Grid

Clinical Decision-Making Grid for systematic differential diagnosis in movement disorders.

An interactive diagnostic framework that organizes clinical findings, supporting evidence, and opposing evidence in a structured grid format. This educational tool helps medical students systematically evaluate diagnoses by weighing likelihood scores against supporting and opposing clinical features. Particularly useful for learning about complex cases involving neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and stroke.

CDM Grid interface showing movement disorders diagnosis Screenshot of the CDM Grid interface for movement disorders · Launch App →
Data Visualization · R Shiny · 2020

COVID-19 Trend Tracker

An interactive Shiny web app built in R to visualize global and country-level COVID-19 trends using WHO / Our World in Data datasets.

The dashboard dynamically displays new cases, deaths, and testing trends with rolling averages and per-capita normalization. Features include an R₀ estimator based on user-defined serial intervals and recent growth rates, automatic highlighting of periods with steep case surges, customizable filters for countries, metrics, and time windows, and global baseline comparison for contextual reference. Designed for clarity and accessibility, the app lets users explore how outbreaks evolved over time while keeping visuals clean, responsive, and data-driven.

Demo video of the COVID-19 Trend Tracker interface