Edwin Solares

Edwin Solares

(he/him)

Executive Director, ESB AI Lab Corporation

ESB AI Lab Corporation

EdgeConsults, LLC

Professional Summary

Executive Director of ESB AI Lab Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing research in AI, machine learning, computer vision, and genomics. Previously a Lecturer at UC San Diego. My research harnesses AI and bioinformatics for food security and species conservation. Published in Nature Plants, PNAS, Genome Research, and G3 (h-index: 7).

Education

PhD Biological Sciences (Comparative Genomics)

2016-09-01
2021-06-15

University of California, Irvine

MS Biological Sciences

2014-09-01
2019-06-15

University of California, Irvine

BS Computer Science (Biomedical Computing)

2010-09-01
2014-06-15

University of California, Irvine

Interests

Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Computational Genomics Climate-Resilient Agriculture Computer Vision Bioinformatics
My Research

My research focuses on harnessing AI and bioinformatics to ensure food security and species conservation in the face of climate change.

I leverage machine learning, computer vision, and high-performance computing to analyze large-scale genomic datasets and develop predictive models for agriculture and conservation. My work spans five key areas:

  • AI for Climate-Resilient Agriculture - Developing ML tools for crop improvement and sustainable farming
  • Conservation Automation - AI-assisted approaches for species rescue and aquaculture
  • Open-Source Tools - Democratizing AI and Bioinformatics for the research community
  • Evolutionary Genomics - Understanding adaptation through comparative and population genomics
  • RNA Biology & Epigenomics - Discovering regulatory mechanisms in plant genomes

Interested in collaboration? Please reach out!

Featured Publications

Deep Learning Classification of Reproductive Tissue from Ultrasound: Sex Determination in Red Abalone

First-author paper demonstrating CNN-based sex determination from ultrasound imagery in Red Abalone. Published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Balanced polymorphism in a floral transcription factor underlies an ancient rhythm of daily sex alternation in avocado

Discovery of the molecular basis for daily sex alternation in avocado flowers, revealing ancient balanced polymorphism in a key transcription factor.

jill-s.-groh
•

miRNA-like secondary structures in maize (Zea mays) genes and transposable elements correlate with small RNAs, methylation, and expression

Co-first author discovery of novel miRNA-like structures in maize genes correlating with small RNA production and epigenetic regulation.

galen-t.-martin
•

Insights into the domestication of avocado and potential genetic contributors to heterodichogamy

First-author study on avocado domestication and the genetic basis of its unique flowering behavior. Published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

HapSolo: An optimization approach for removing secondary haplotigs during diploid genome assembly

AI-based tool for improving diploid genome assembly by removing secondary haplotigs. First-author publication.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•
Recent Publications
Recent News

PvGAP Paper Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases

New paper on a globally applicable microhaplotype amplicon panel for Plasmodium vivax malaria surveillance published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Abalone Computer Vision Paper Published in Frontiers in AI

First-author paper on deep learning sex determination in Red Abalone published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Founded EdgeConsults, LLC

Launched EdgeConsults, LLC, an independent consulting firm specializing in bioinformatics, genomics, and applied AI/ML.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Formed ESB AI Lab Corporation (501(c)(3))

Established ESB AI Lab Corporation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Sturgeon AI Research Featured in Major Press

Our AI-assisted sex determination research featured in SDSC, ACCESS-CI, SeafoodSource, and Hatchery International.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Joined Informuta, Inc. as Machine Learning Engineer

New position applying AI to predict and forecast antimicrobial resistance.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Major Grant Funded: $465K for Sturgeon Aquaculture AI Project

Secured ~$465,000 in funding from USDA NIFA for AI-Assisted Sex Determination in Sturgeon.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Paper Published in Genome Research: Maize RNA Secondary Structures

Diverse patterns of secondary structure across genes and transposable elements are associated with siRNA production and epigenetic fate

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Avocado Genome Paper Published in G3

Insights into the domestication of avocado and potential genetic contributors to heterodichogamy

avatar
Edwin Solares
•

Joined UC San Diego CSE Faculty as Lecturer

Appointed as Lecturer in Computer Science and Engineering at UC San Diego.

avatar
Edwin Solares
•
Research Projects

Net-Zero Distributed Computing and Ecological Monitoring

Developing solar-powered edge computing and ecological monitoring systems for climate-resilient environmental research. Currently in prototyping phase.

Open-Source Computer Vision Framework

Democratizing AI by developing accessible computer vision tools for non-expert users.

AI-Assisted Sturgeon Sex Determination

Developing computer vision and machine learning approaches for non-invasive sex determination in sturgeon aquaculture. Active USDA NIFA grant (~$465K).

Maize RNA Secondary Structures

Co-first author discovery of novel miRNA-like structures in maize genes correlating with small RNA production and epigenetic regulation (Genome Research 2023).

Avocado Domestication Genomics

Research on avocado domestication and the genetic basis of heterodichogamy - the unique daily sex alternation in avocado flowers. First-author publication in G3 (2023).