Research
Metzger Lab, Pacific Northwest Research Institute
Graduate Research Assisant, 2019-present
Genomic analysis in a transmissible cancer lineage spreading through the soft-shell clam population.
- Discovered a novel clock-like mutational signature and used to generate the first bivalve transmissible cancer age estimate (~500 years).
- Identified widespread copy number gains, genomic rearrangement, and transposable element mobilization indicative of an unstable genome.
Shou Lab, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(now University College London)
Research Technician, 2015-2018
Investigated the evolution of cooperation using an engineered system of cross-feeding yeast strains.
- Established methods for quantifying the metabolic interactions and community behaviors in microbial communities by fitting these behaviors to predictive models.
- Discovered novel cooperative traits arising during experimental evolution of a cooperative system.
Barlow Lab, University of Vermont
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009-2013
Researched epidemiology of dairy cow mastitis on organic dairy farms (3.5 years part-time, 1 year full time).
- Discovered evidence that dairy cattle tissues express different MHC class I alleles across tissues (thesis).
- Quantified the antibacterial effects of organic mastitis treatments on S. aureus in milk.
- Genotyped S. aureus strains collected from farms across Vermont to infer transmission dynamics.