My research interest lie at the intersection of genetic diversity and environmental variability, with the goal of elucidating how GxE interactions alter cell fate decisions.
My long-term goal is to obtain the necessary skills to develop an independent research program focused on studying the effects of genetic and environmental variation on cell-fate decisions using a multi-disciplinary approach that combines wet-lab experiments with mathematical modeling. Towards this goal, I have sought interdisciplinary training in molecular biology, computational and systems biology, and quantitative genetics. As a postdoc in Munger lab, I aim to complement and enhance these skills by training in mouse genetics and developmental biology. As a graduate student working with Drs. Nick Buchler and Paul Magwene, I characterized the effects of natural genetic variation in budding yeast on growth dynamics in response to hyper-osmotic stress. I showed that this phenotype was highly variable in our genetically diverse collection of yeast strains, and then applied bulk segregant analysis to identify genetic variants that mediated this variable response. In my postdoctoral research, I have started exploring GxE interactions in a higher model organism (mouse) within embryonic stem cells. In addition to research, I am actively involved in teaching, mentoring and scientific outreach efforts at JAX. Outside of lab I enjoy the outdoors by hiking, snowshoeing and gardening!
Duke University, USA
PhD Biology
2010 - 2017
Adv: Dr. Nicolas E. Buchler & Dr. Paul Magwene
University of Heidelberg, Germany
MSc Systems Biology
2009 - 2011
Adv: Dr. Ursula Kummer
Sabanci University, Turkey
BSc Biological Sciences and Bioengineering
2005 - 2009