Leading the Plant Degrader Biology teamDiscovering PROTACs for weed control and crop efficiency applicationsConfirming on-target mechanism of action

Developing assays to discover novel PROTACs, measure target protein degradation, assess target engagement, and confirm ubiquitin-proteasome dependent mechanism of action.Discovering and functionally validating novel E3 ligases and target proteins.

Catalyst for Rare Diseases• Established an in vitro drug screening service in partnership with the Chordoma Foundation, to identify compounds for treatment of a rare chemotherapy-resistant cancer type.• Identified candidate treatments for Chordoma by screening chemogenomic compound libraries and testing machine-learning predictions of drug repurposing candidates.• Developed a CRISPR-edited CLN3 knockout haploid stem cell model of Batten Disease, to identify genetic modifiers of neuronal disease phenotypes and potential drug targets.

• Developed edema testing methods to support recellularization process development.• Adapted primary cell isolation methods for analysis of cells in recellularized lung tissue.• Assisted with operation, testing and development of prototype whole-lung bioreactors.

Laboratory of Karla Kaun, Ph. D.Department of Neuroscience• Investigated Notch signaling pathway mechanisms underlying Drosophila alcohol reward memory.• Developed immunoassays and cell culture assays to assess the impact of alcohol on Notch cleavage and endocytosis.

Laboratory of Kristi Wharton, Ph. D.Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry• Studied regulation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)/TGF-β signaling by protein processing and post-translational modifications.• Discovered that O-linked glycosylation and proteolytic cleavage produce functionally different isoforms of Gbb, a Drosophila BMP ligand.• Contributed to development and characterization of a CRISPR-edited BMP4 mutant mouse to study gene-environment interactions underlying cleft lip/palate.

Laboratory of Anne Hart, Ph. D.Department of Neuroscience• Investigated lifespan-determining genetic interactions between the osmotic stress response, Notch signaling, DNA damage response, and Sirtuins.• Discovered that the nucleotide synthesis inhibitor fluorodeoxyuridine promotes longevity and stress resistance in C. elegans.

Laboratory of Anne Hart, Ph. D.Cancer Research Center• Investigated lifespan-determining genetic interactions between the osmotic stress response, Notch signaling, DNA damage response, and Sirtuins.• Discovered that the nucleotide synthesis inhibitor fluorodeoxyuridine promotes longevity and stress resistance in C. elegans.

Laboratory of Maureen Peters, Ph. D.• Studied cell signaling pathways underlying C. elegans ultradian rhythm defecation behaviors