I studied genetic components that regulate morphogenesis of the urogenital system. Specifically, I investigated the role that RET, a receptor tyrosine kinase, plays among progenitors cells of the collecting ducts. These progenitor cells define the final branched architecture of the collecting ducts, and in turn the kidneys, through their behavior. I used a combination of inducible transgenic mice along with time-lapse, live imaging to capture some of the cellular behaviors involved in the establishment of properly formed kidneys.

I studied the transcriptional and environmental influences on stem cell behavior in the olfactory neuroepithelium. My work ranged from embryonic development to adult regeneration, where tissue composition is re-established. I used a combination of mouse genetics, retroviral expression and flow cytometry to dissect the molecular and cell biological processes regulated by key transcription factors involved in development and regeneration among other self-renewing epithelia.

This project established a live-imaging system to analyze the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into cardiac myocytes in culture. One interest was determining the effects of cardiac myocyte contraction on ES cell differentiation. I tested various substrates and chemical factors to identify which parameters enhaced myocyte differentiation. To complement these cellular studies I developed a computer program to model the synchronicity of cellular interaction in a user-defined environment, in order to simulate cardiac myocyte contraction in culture. Results from this computer model extend the applications of cellular automata to biological systems that analyze cardiac myocyte communication and contraction.

I worked in the Environmental Health and Safety department, within an Industrial Chemistry lab. This particular lab was responsible for ensuring the safety of Aventis workers at the pharmaceutical production sites, by measuring environmental exposure to chemical dust. We fabricated air filters and analyzed air-borne pharmaceutical products, which were bound to the filters, from among all Aventis commercial production sites.