I am studying how immunotherapy such as treatment with PDL-1 and CTLA4 affects the immune profile of tumors in mice. We are interested in looking at the differences between responsive and unresponsive tumors.  I am also working on the role of how ER stress and glucose deprivation modulate Stat3 activation.

Understanding gene regulatory networks that govern neuronal circuit formation during development.

Using optogenetics, investigate the spatiotemporal regulation of small GTPase RhoA and how it orchestrates actin cytoskeletal dynamics responsible for junctional remodeling and cytokinesis in vertebrate epithelial tissues.

 I am studying the H. pylori virulence factor vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA). Using single-particle cryo-EM, I am determining VacA's pore-form and characterizing its membrane interactions. 

I study the biosynthetic trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCR localization to the the cell surface is critical for functional coupling to both extracellular agonists and G-protein effectors on the plasma membrane. Despite the functional importance of GPCR localization to the plasma membrane, relatively little is known about the biosynthetic trafficking of these receptors to the cell surface. I would like to understand how the trafficking of these receptors to the cell surface is regulated and how we can target receptors to the surface to increase signaling. 

Protein therapeutics - evolution, delivery, and design

The use of cryo-electron microscopy to study the mitochondrial membrane protein, Miro.

Role of Ankyrins in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder. 

Protein Quality Control 

I work in a beta-cell biology and diabetes lab.  We are investigating how a selective form of autophagy, mitophagy, contributes to beta-cell bioenergetics and insulin secretion.

Structural dynamics of HIV-1 RNA

Our lab studies how epigenetic and metabolic dysregulation influence the development and biology of pediatric brain tumors. My work focuses on a novel epigenetic modifier, EZHIP, which is overexpressed in a subtype of childhood brain cancer known as PF-A ependymomas. EZHIP inhibits polycomb-mediated trimethylation at histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3), a transcriptionally repressive chromatin modifying mark. EZHIP overexpression gives rise to a global reduction in H3K27me3 marks throughout the genome that is poorly prognostic. My project aims to understand the mechanisms regulating EZHIP...

Intracellular Trafficking Mechanisms of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Heterotopic ossification, lymphatic development, tendon repair

Investigating the role of AMPylation on Hsp70 chaperones in Neurodegenerative Disease models

Investigating the function of paternally-inherited histones during early embryogenesis.

My research focuses on investigating Notch cofactors that may regulate Notch signaling in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia   

Understanding the role of nuclear hormone receptors in the radiosensitization of breast cancers.

Understanding translation regulation of G4C2 repeat-containing transcripts in C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD.

Aging, Neuroscience, Behavior

Role of keratin proteins in epithelial differentiation and epithelial homeostasis