Before joining the Cancer Biology PhD program in 2022, I gained experience in multiple laboratories. At The University of Michigan under Dr. Mark Chiang, I investigated the role of CDC73 and Zmiz1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) proliferation using orthotopic tumors of transduced human cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). At UM under Dr. Malini Raghavan, I defined the calreticulin-specific effects on mediating ER clearance of a polymerogenic alpha1-antitrypsin Z mutation (ATZ) protein, and examined the low-affinity calcium-binding effects of BiP on substrate interaction. At The Jackson Laboratory under Dr. Jennifer Trowbridge, I explored the progression from clonal hematopoiesis to myeloproliferative neoplasm in mice with Dnmt3aR878H and Npm1c mutations. In my undergraduate at Central Connecticut State University, I studied phenotypic plasticity and geographic distribution overlap dynamics in the barnacle species Chthamalus fissus and C. dalli along the Pacific coast of North America under Dr. Jeremiah Jarrett and examined TRIM28 and ZFP57 expression in IVF, IVD, and AI bovine pre-implantation embryos under Dr. Sadie Marjani. In my free time I enjoy exercise, my two cats, watercolor painting, hanging out with friends, travelling with my husband, and going to church.
Biography
Research Interests
In 2023, over 16,500 people will die from bladder cancer in the US. Non-invasive bladder tumors are common and readily treatable, however, muscle invasive bladder cancers frequently metastasize despite aggressive therapy and account for most disease related mortality. Thus, understanding the molecular drivers of invasive progression is critical for developing better therapies and improving clinical outcomes. Our laboratory has discovered and is characterizing a sufficient driver of bladder cancer invasive progression, TRIM29. TRIM29 drives bladder cancer invasive progression through regulation of focal adhesions. Currently, I am defining the molecular interactions of TRIM29 that promote invasion and therapeutically targeting focal adhesion complex members to prevent disease progression.
Techniques Used
Time-lapse Confocal Microscopy, 2D and 3D Cell Migration and Invasion Assays, Patient Derived Xenografts, Organoids, Orthotopic and Flank Tumor Models, Genetically Engineered Mouse Models, Western Blotting, Transfection, CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing.
Abstracts
University of Michigan Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) 25th Anniversary Celebration “Novel Therapeutic Approaches Targeting TRIM29-Mediated Invasion in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer” (Poster) October 2, 2024. Ann Arbor, Michigan
11th University of Michigan Cancer Biology Retreat “Understanding and Targeting TRIM29-Mediated Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer” (Short Talk) September 11th, 2024. Plymouth, Michigan.
AACR Special Conference on Bladder Cancer: Transforming the Field “Development of Novel Src-Targeting Strategies to Block Bladder Cancer Invasive Progression” (Poster) May 17-20th, 2024. Charlotte, North Carolina
University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine Research Day “Development of Novel Src-Targeting Strategies to Block Bladder Cancer Invasive Progression” (Poster) May 3rd, 2024. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
10th University of Michigan Cancer Biology Retreat “Characterizing and Targeting the Focal Adhesion Complex in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer” (Poster) September 15-16th, 2023. Oregon, Ohio
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Trainee Symposium, Three Minute Thesis Competition "FAK and Src in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer" (Poster) June 9th, 2023. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Jackson Laboratory: Workshop on Techniques in Modeling Human Cancer in Mice "Utilizing Novel Genetically Engineered Mouse Models to Assess the Role of TRIM29-Mediated Focal Adhesion Complex Stabilization in Invasive Progression of Bladder Cancer" (Short Talk) April 28th – May 5th, 2023. Bar Harbor, Maine
Awards
PIBS 25th Anniversary Celebration – Poster Competition Finalist, 2024
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Trainee Symposium, Three Minute Thesis Competition – Cash Prize Winner, 2023
Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award Recipient, 2017
CCSU Dean’s Citation Recipient, Class of 2017
CCSU Biology Departmental Award, Class of 2017
CCSU Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award, 2015-2016
Northeast Conference Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, Class of 2017
CCSU Highest Academic Ranking Female Student-Athlete, Class of 2017
Student Roles
Cancer Biology Steering Committee Student Representative - 2024
Cancer Biology Retreat Planning Committee - 2023, 2024
Cancer Biology Admissions Committee - 2023, 2024
Diversity Ambassador
- First Generation College Student
Cancer Bio Mentor
