People

Program: Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology

Current advisor: Lavinia Sheets, PhD

Undergraduate university: University of Maryland-College Park, 2024

Program: Developmental Biology

Graduation Year: 2010

Thesis Advisor: Paul H. Taghert

Thesis Title: The Convergence of PDF signaling and CRYPTOCHROME in the neuronal network underlying Drosophila circadian behavior.

Program affiliation
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Neurosciences
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Understanding the molecular mechanism of aging and longevity in mammals

Key words
aging, longevity, hypothalamus, metabolism, NAD biosynthesis, Sirt1, NAMPT, NAD World

Program: Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Graduation Year: 2016

Thesis Advisor: Audrey R. Odom John

Thesis Title: Targeting Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology

Research summary
Our research program integrates protein engineering and systems neuroscience to address previously inaccessible questions about brain function, particularly in the area of social behavior.

Key words
Social Behavior, Protein engineering, Optics, Neural dynamics, Genetically encoded optical tools

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
We aim to understand neural basis controlling behaviors in females across the lifespan

Key words
neurobiology, behavior, hormone, plasticity, maturation, aging, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and circuit tracing

Program: Molecular Cell Biology

Graduation Year: 1998

Thesis Advisor: Susan S. Wente

Thesis Title: Characterization of the GLFG-Repeat Domains of Yeast Nucleoporins

Program affiliation
Cancer Biology
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Neurosciences

Research summary
Precision medicine through metabolism-based imaging and therapy: from laboratory to clinical translation

Key words
cancer, metabolism, imaging, sex differences, body composition

Program: Evolutionary and Population Biology

Graduation Year: 1996

Thesis Advisor: Jonathan B Losos

Thesis Title: "Adaptation, Performance Ability, and Evolutionary Diversification in Anolis Lizards"

Program: Neurosciences

Graduation Year: 2020

Thesis Advisor: David D. Limbrick

Thesis Title: Pathophysiology and Proteogenomics of Post-Infectious and Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus in Infants