Employed Since:

2006

Educational History:

B.S., Biology; SUNY Fredonia, M.S., Biochemistry, SUNY Fredonia, Ph.D., Pathology, University of Buffalo Post-doctoral fellowship Children’s National Medical Center

As a post-doctoral fellow at Children’s, my research concentrated on cytokine-mediated regulation of mucin gene expression in pediatric patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. My Ph.D. research was based on elucidating why it takes several weeks for antidepressants to lessen the clinical symptoms of depression. Specifically, I investigated cytokine (TNF, IL-6)-mediated release of neurotransmitters following administration of psychotropic compounds such as cocaine, amphetamine, antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs. My Master’s thesis focused on plant physiology, specifically PO4- uptake in the aquatic macrophyte M. spicatum which continued to be a nuisance in the waters of Lake Erie despite the ban on PO4- in detergents.

Fields of Expertise:

-Neuropharmacology -Pathophysiology and genomics of airway disease (asthma, CF) and transplants -STEM outreach: A diverse workforce is the key to advancing science and healthcare. Fostering an ‘I can’ attitude in underrepresented individuals interested in STEM was the goal with creating GO GIRL

Personal Highlights:

GO GIRL educational outreach co-founder and contributor. GO GIRL is funded by Loudoun County Public Schools through a grant from HHMI and offers young girls female mentorship and laboratory experience in the field of genomics.

Professional Highlights:

NIH, NRSA postdoctoral grant recipient Annual Pediatric Forum Research Award New England Biolab’s Passion in Science Award in Mentorship/Advocacy Category (https://www.neb.com/about-neb/passion-in-science-awards)

Quote:

I’m a scientist at heart and really enjoy teaching the foundational topics that lay the groundwork for the more advanced topics covered in therapeutics courses.