Undergraduate major
Double major in Genetics and Evolutionary Anthropology.
Research Interests
I am a graduate student in Danny Manor’s lab. One of our lab’s focus is on how proliferative signaling pathways are regulated in normal cells vs. cancer cells. Specifically, we focus our attention to Rho GTPases. My project focuses on the Dbl family of proto-oncogenes. They are a family of GEFs (exchange factors) that transduce signals from cell surface factor receptors to the small GTP binding proteins Cdc42, Rac and Rho. I am currently looking at tyrosine phosphorylation of Dbl and how phosphorylation may play a role in its the activation.
Commonly used lab techniques
Cell culture, transfections, immunoprecipitations, and western blots.
Why I chose Case Western Reserve University
Case is a well known school and has a good reputation for biomedical research.
Where I see myself in the future
After I receive my Ph.D. I would like to work at the NIH as a post-doctoral fellow. After that, I am not too sure. I would like to enter the pharmaceutical industry, but still too early to know for sure.
Hobbies and outside interests
Horseback riding, rock climbing, going to the gym, reading, and shopping.