I investigated the human macrophage immune response to infection with a particular emphasis on genetic mechanisms that control the underlying molecular processes. I was awarded a two-year Immunoengineering fellowship to investigate this topic.Specifically, I established protocols that enable molecular gene editing of normal human macrophages, an inherently tricky cell type to edit. The goal of this technology was to conduct high-content CRISPR screening in human myeloid cells for the first time and unlock the empirical derivation of gene regulatory networks for innate immune traits. To do this I had to first establish protocols in the lab to derive Macrophages from iPSCs and then design creative tricks to circumvent biological challenges with standard gene editing techniques of human macrophages. I also analyzed a dense RNA-seq time-course of iPSC-derived Macrophage response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) across 13 individuals with contrasting levels of ancestry. The goal of this study was to identify ancestry-dependent dynamic behaviors in the response to Mtb. Both of these studies hold promise to result in 2-3 publications in the coming years.In addition, I collaborated on three research projects in this role and mentored a junior graduate student in the lab.

Completed a PhD dissertation entitled "Identifying Gene Regulatory Activity Divergence in Cis and Trans with ATAC-STARR-seq" in Emily Hodges Lab in the Department of Biochemistry with close associations with Human Genetics and Developmental Biology programs. My research resulted in two first-author publications in Cell Genomics and Genome Research. I first developed ATAC-STARR-seq, a state-of-the-art NGS assay to identify gene regulatory elements in the human genome and quantify their activity. This method has been widely adopted by the field, including to some extent, the ENCODE consortium. I then applied this method to investigate a previously intractable question in human evolutionary systems biology. We discovered a greater role for Trans regulatory divergence in gene regulatory activity changes between human and macaque B cells than previously realized. In other words, changes to the cellular environment of the cell were as important to changes in gene regulatory activity as changes to the DNA sequence of the regulatory elements themselves. Completion of this project required successful navigation of challenging concepts in systems biology and bioinformatics and was enabled by cross-functional collaboration with Sarah Fong and Tony Capra.I collaborated on several other projects across scientific disciplines which resulted in four additional publications.

Awarded a Post-Baccalaureate fellowship in Andy Golden's lab at the NIH intramural campus in Bethesda, MD. Using CRISPR-based gene editing of C. elegans, I generated many C. elegans strains that modeled the molecular aspects of rare, monogenic disease. In this experience, I built upon my C. elegans and molecular biology skillset to master CRISPR-based gene editing, writing an invited review of the technique in the final year of my position. The strains I generated have been widely used by the field and have resulted in five publications.

Worked in Judith Kimble's lab to investigate the molecular basis for germline stem cell differentiation and self-renewal in Caenorhabditis elegans, an excellent model system of fundamental biological processes. I generated dozens of molecular reagents for the lab which resulted in a PNAS publication. I also worked on my own research project which aimed to identify the molecular role of TRA-1 in stem-cell differentiation.

I helped run science education programs for visiting K-12 students. In this role, I assisted students with molecular techniques, such as: PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA extraction. In addition, I prepared materials and maintained lab stocks so the courses could run smoothly. As a capstone, I developed my own course, which centered around human papillomavirus (HPV) detection using HeLa cell DNA as a model.