Together with Dr. Powers, we developed a project broadly seeking to understand the genetic basis of evolved changes in dentition in an evolutionary mutant model system - the blind Mexican cavefish. Previous genetic association studies pinpointed a region of the genome associated with tooth size differences. My project centers on candidate gene analysis including looking for genetic mutations and validating gene expression changes in tissue (in situ) using molecular staining techniques. From this work, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of tooth development, as well as experience in bioinformatic genomic analysis and molecular techniques in the lab. The overarching goal of this project is to clarify the genes involved in the determination of tooth size at the early stages of tooth development (initiation and bud stages). At the conclusion of this project in August 2022, we hope to prepare a manuscript for peer-review publication.

I work the summers and breaks as a Grocery Bagger at Scott Air Force Base Commissary in Illinois.

Over the summer of 2021, I worked with Dr. Kathryn Morris (a professor at Xavier University) on research for a computer model of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The goal was to use MATLAB through the OhioSupercomputer to create a 2D model that would allow someone to run different variables and get results that would mirror how real fungi would grow. During this time, I was also able to test my own experiments of how soil size and proportion would affect the depth and anastomosis events of the fungal hyphae. At the end of the internship, I presented my results at Xavier Universitys Summer 2021 Research Symposium.