What is your professional background?
I received my BA in biology from Hartwick College (2000), MA in ecology, evolution and behavior from Binghamton University (2002), MS in cell and developmental biology (2007) and PhD in applied physics (2008) from the University of Michigan. My broad research interest is in regenerative biology and medicine – a common theme that spans all of the diverse projects within my research portfolio.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I’m in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. David Guidot is my mentor.
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
With the growing elderly population, there has been a rise in the incidence/prevalence of age-related lung diseases. Research in my laboratory is broadly focused on: (1) understanding how normal physiologic repair responses “go awry” in aging and their contribution to the pathogenesis of age-dependent lung diseases. (2) Developing novel treatments that target age-associated pathological mechanisms and ultimately promote repair. I believe that these therapeutic approaches will ultimately find their way to patients in order to help the elderly population live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
What do you like most about Emory?
The people!
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I have an addiction to true all crime shows.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to paint and hike.
What is a fun fact about you?
I have been collecting quotations for over 20 years in a word document (now more than 200 pages long!).
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