Summer Undergraduate Research Experience  >  Research Mentors

My research interests lie within the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. On a broad level I am interested in the molecular changes that cause disease. Since moving to Kirksville I have been involved in research looking at changes in the expression of various proteins in mice afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Additionally, the effect of different drug therapies on protein expression in these same mice was examined.

I am a Midwesterner by birth and choice - I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and later lived in Northfield, Minnesota while earning a BA in chemistry, and then lived in St. Louis, Missouri while earning a PhD in biochemistry. As a child I never imagined that I would one day be a scientist. Instead I dreamed of being an artist or writer. I always loved school though, and at an early age I believed that education would always be a part of my life. It wasn't until high school that I contemplated a career in the sciences. At that time I had a math teacher who opened my eyes to what I could accomplish in math and science. Early on during my studies as a chemistry major at St. Olaf College I became interested in the application of the molecular sciences to the understanding of the human body. This interest brought me to the lab of Dr. Alison Goate at Washington University for my graduate studies where I investigated the composition/function of the gamma-secretase enzyme complex which is involved in Alzheimer's disease. While I enjoyed my research project, I continued to have a strong interest in education. This interest brought me to Truman in 2005 where I began teaching classes in the biology and chemistry departments and performing research with other scientists at ATSU (see research interests and project).

Outside of work I spend the majority of my time with my 18 month old son and my husband. I spend a lot of time playing peek-a-boo and singing along with Elmo! Additionally, I enjoy reading and trying new recipes (I will be making baklava this week!).