Katie earned her B.S. in Microbiology with a biomedical concentration and a minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May 2023. During her undergraduate years, she dedicated two years to researching how population bottlenecks affect the replication capacity of Influenza A. In July 2023, she began the PIBS program at the University of Michigan, aspiring to focus on pediatric cancer research. By March 2024, she joined Sriram Venneti's lab, where her research concentrates on the epigenetic and metabolic drivers of pediatric brain cancers, particularly ependymomas. In her spare time, Katie enjoys thrifting, finding new coffee shops, reading, and advocating for childhood cancer research.
Biography
Research Interests
Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer mortality with ependymomas being the third most common brain tumor in children. Supratentorial Ependymoma (ST-EPN) is a malignant aggressive pediatric brain tumor arising in the hemispheres. These tumors are chemotherapy resistant, and the current standard treatments—surgical resection and radiation—are ineffective. More than 70% of ST-EPN tumors are driven by the oncogenic ZFTA-RELA fusion protein formed between the putative chromatin modifier, ZFTA, and the central NF-kB pathway regulator, RELA. Many oncogenes actively drive aberrant metabolic pathways and alter the epigenetic landscape, making them hallmarks of cancer. Katie’s predoctoral research aims to determine the mechanisms by which the ZFTA-RELA fusion protein dysregulates epigenetic and metabolic pathways in pediatric ST-EPN. More specifically, we aim to understand how ZFTA-RELA fusion interacts with nucleosome remodeling complexes and alters histone modifications to rewire gene expression. In addition, we hope to identify the molecular mechanism by which ZFTA-RELA fusion cells upregulate glutathione metabolism, a key metabolite for oxidative stress resistance. The objective of the project is to characterize these metabolic and epigenetic pathways to assess potential vulnerabilities for therapeutic intervention.
Techniques Used
Neurosphere and adherent cell culture, molecular and cellular techniques
Awards
University of Michigan Cancer Biology Doctoral Program Fellowship, 2024-2025
Publications
Student Roles
Rogel Cancer Center Training, Education, and Career Development (TrEC) Trainee Advisory Council Member (2024-Present)
Cancer Biology Program Retreat Planning Committee Chair (2024-Present)
Cancer Biology Program Peer Mentor Chair (2024-2025)
Cancer Bio Mentor
