Q: Did you study biology as an undergraduate?

A: No, I began as an engineering major, then switched to math. I have always liked a challenge, solving hard problems. I also liked pursuing subjects that not many women study. We need more female role models in math and the sciences.

Q: How did you bridge the gap between math and biology?

A: My graduate school mentor at Case Western Reserve [Daniella Calvetti] was exploring biological applications, modeling metabolic processes with differential equations. She met [Jackson Laboratory Professor] Gary Churchill at a conference. He liked what we were doing and thought it could apply to genetics.

Q: Is that connection the reason you chose the Laboratory for your postdoc?

A: I came here because I thought it offered terrific opportunities for growth and advancement if you had interests and ideas, and I was right. I started in animal care and moved around a bit before becoming a supervisor in the repository in 2005. I moved into my current job in 2007.

Q: What are you working on now, and what would you like to do moving forward?

A: I recently received an NIH grant—I'm taking a systems biology approach to understanding the effects of genetic drug targets on HDL metabolism and atherosclerosis. I am working on it with [Research Scientist] Ron Korstanje, who handles the data gathering in the lab while I perform the analyses. In the future I think I'd like to continue my research at a university, but the grant here is for three years, so we'll see where that takes me.

Q: How do you spend your time outside of your work?

A: I run, bike and hike, and it's wonderful to be able to go play in Acadia National Park. I love to be outside and this is a beautiful area to explore.