August 2021

We published a micropublication titled "GPN-1/glypican and UNC-52/perlecan do not appear to function in BMP signaling to pattern the C. elegans postembryonic mesoderm." I conducted this work with the help of a visiting high school teacher, Robert Greer. Together, we found that these two extracellular matrix-associated proteins don't seem to be involved in BMP signaling in worms. Our lab had the chance to host Rob for a summer through the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET-STEM) program. 

 

June 2021

I am extremely excited to host our 2021 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student in person this summer!! Maria Luisa Maas Gamboa, coming to us from Monterey Peninsula College in California, will work on a multi-faceted project to better understand how the secreted modular calcium binding (SMOC-1) protein functions to regulate the BMP pathway in worms. 

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In addition to sharing my most recent work with the worm community, I enjoyed my first ever Worm Show at the International Worm Meeting. 

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May 2021

My abstract has been chosen for an oral presentation at the International Worm Meeting on June 23rd. I look forward to connecting virtually with fellow C. elegans enthusiasts.

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April 2021

I gave an invited guest lecture to Maki Inada's biochemistry and molecular biology class at Ithaca College. I enjoyed telling students about C. elegans as a model organism to study cell signaling and discussing some of my most recent experimental findings.

 

It was great to reconnect with the local worm community through the virtual 2021 Upstate New York C. elegans meeting. I had the opportunity to give an oral presentation, discussing my recent efforts to unravel SMOC-1's molecular mechanism in worms.

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June 2020

After several months of working from home due to the ongoing pandemic, we were able to return to the lab to work part-time on our experiments.

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February 2020

I have officially joined the Adventure Term team as a science communication intern! I am pumped to dive back into our On the Border archives to continue telling stories from our expedition, like my On the Border short documentary film. 

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November 2019

I had the amazing opportunity to attend SciCommCamp weekend near Los Angeles. Throughout the weekend I got the chance to work with fellow scicommers to learn about public engagement, improv, and all the possibilities of the science communication field. 

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June 2019

I am heading into the deserts of southern Arizona to learn the art of storytelling with the Adventure Term team. Through our On the Border expedition, we will explore the impacts of human development on wildlife in the area by sitting down with local NGOs who work to preserve these vital habitats. 

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May 2019

I was honored to receive the Wellnitz Award in recognition of the best publication in the GGD field for my recent first author paper published in Genetics.

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March 2016

I am excited to become a Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) fellow. This prestigious award will provide funding for three years of my graduate studies.