What is your professional background?
I received my bachelor’s degree in applied biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2002. Prior to starting graduate school at Emory University, where I received my PhD in molecular and systems pharmacology in 2009, I worked as a research scientist. After I finished my PhD, I did a post-doctoral fellowship, and I joined the Division of Cardiology at Emory as a faculty member in 2015.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had excellent mentorship from Drs. Kathy Griendling and Bob Taylor. Dr. Bernard Lassegue has also been incredibly helpful and is a wonderful teacher for all things molecular biology.
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My lab is focused on peripheral artery disease (PAD). 1 in 3 people with diabetes develops PAD and these patients are 5 – 10 times more likely to require a major limb amputation. Furthermore, current interventions for this condition are all surgical or invasive. My lab uses molecular, cellular, and in vivo strategies to better understand the neovascularization process and aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to promote neovascularization in PAD patients. We are currently focused on understanding how an inflammatory cytokine called osteopontin promotes the formation of new blood vessels in response to ischemia. More specifically, we have determined that human osteopontin isoforms act as divergent modulators of the neovascularization process, so we are interested in determining how one of the isoforms serves as a negative inhibitor to the other two isoforms, which promote neovascularization, cell migration and proliferation.
What do you like most about Emory?
Emory has an incredibly collaborative and supportive environment with numerous opportunities for service, teaching, and scholarship, which makes it an amazing institution to work.
What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show?
I really love to read, and the books I’ve enjoyed most recently include The Great Alone and The Nightingale, both by Kristin Hannah, and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I spend most of my time with my family and friends. My husband and I have two boys (ages 9 and 4 years), and I love watching them figure out what they’re really into doing. We also have a golden doddle named Bailey (3 years). Right now, I coach my 9-year old’s soccer team, so that’s fun! My hobbies include oil painting, running, spinning, and reading.
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