I am interested in the ways molecules and cells regulate how organisms develop. The ability of two genetically diverse cells (egg & sperm) coming together to start the process of forming such complex organisms made of so many diverse cell types continues to fascinate me.

For my PhD, I worked on a cell signaling pathway that is involved in one of the first cell differentiation decision-making events in placental mammals. The event involves the cellular decision to become the trophectoderm (becomes the placenta) or the inner cell mass (embryonic stem cells).

For my postdoctoral work, I worked on trying to better understand how to regenerate the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Zebrafish possess the amazing ability to regenerate most any cell/tissue in the body. For example, if you surgically cut the heart, it will grow back. Using genetic manipulations, the lab was able to specifically kill the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells and determine that the cells responsible for repopulating these cells originate from a small population of adult pancreatic stem cells called the centroacinar cells. These cells were not fully characterized, so I helped to better characterize them by determining the genes they express.

I enjoy introducing students to molecular biological techniques they could use in jobs after they graduate and helping them to answer scientific questions on topics of interest to them. Come talk to me about what topics are of interest to you. We can work together to try and set up a research project for you to complete.