Why I Love Science

I love science because in addition to my affinity for benchwork and critical thinking I truly enjoy the open-endedness in research. Working to discover something new and exciting is appealing to me.

 

Education and Appointments

B.S. Biology, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

NIH Postbaccalaureate Fellowship  2010-2013

Cell and Molecular Biology Training Grant  2016-2018

 

Publications

 

 

Research Interest

I have many research interests, ranging from prion biology to epigenetics. My thesis work examines the prionogenic protein Cyc8, which contains a Q-rich prion domain that has the ability to form a prion when overexpressed. While prions are considered pathogenic in humans, in yeast and plants, prions can aid in the development of beneficial evolutionary phenotypes during environmental stress. The environmental stress I am most interested in is hyperosmotic stress, which initiates the post-translational modification of proteins by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). The overall goal of my project is to elucidate how sumoylation of Cyc8 induced by environmental conditions modulate the activity of its prion domain.

 

Honors and awards

HHMI Gilliam Fellowship

NSF GRFP Honorable Mention

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS)

 

 

Selected publications

Link