VP of Research

• Jan 2022 - Present

Research Fellow

• Aug 2016 - Dec 2021

Cancer Cancer

Research Fellow

• May 2013 - Mar 2016

We found that Grk2 has a key role in hedgehog signaling, and contrary to what was found previously, we found that its function is dependent on its kinase activity. Previous work has shown that phosphorylation of smoothened, a key transducer of Hedgehog signaling, by Grk2 and Ck1 was essential for its activity however phosphorylation deficient Smoothened mutant fully rescued defects in Zebrafish Smoothened mutants.

Research Fellow

• Nov 2012 - May 2013

Neural crest cells have been called the fourth germ layer and it gives rise to many cell types in vertebrates. Cranial facial elements, like the jaw is derived from the neural crest. In mouse and chicken embryos, we found that there are distinct regions of the developing cranial neural fold that give rise to ectomesenchyme (cells of ectodermal origin, that can give rise to mesenchymal derivatives). Additionally through fate mapping of neural crest and mesoderm in zebrafish, we found that fin… Show more Neural crest cells have been called the fourth germ layer and it gives rise to many cell types in vertebrates. Cranial facial elements, like the jaw is derived from the neural crest. In mouse and chicken embryos, we found that there are distinct regions of the developing cranial neural fold that give rise to ectomesenchyme (cells of ectodermal origin, that can give rise to mesenchymal derivatives). Additionally through fate mapping of neural crest and mesoderm in zebrafish, we found that fin mesenchyme (an ectomesechymal derivative) is derived from the mesoderm and not the neural crest, which was previously identified.

Graduate Student

• Jun 2007 - Oct 2012

Neural crest cells have been called the fourth germ layer and it gives rise to many cell types in vertebrates. Cranial facial elements, like the jaw is derived from the neural crest. In mouse and chicken embryos, we found that there are distinct regions of the developing cranial neural fold that give rise to ectomesenchyme (cells of ectodermal origin, that can give rise to mesenchymal derivatives). Additionally through fate mapping of neural crest and mesoderm in zebrafish, we found that fin… Show more Neural crest cells have been called the fourth germ layer and it gives rise to many cell types in vertebrates. Cranial facial elements, like the jaw is derived from the neural crest. In mouse and chicken embryos, we found that there are distinct regions of the developing cranial neural fold that give rise to ectomesenchyme (cells of ectodermal origin, that can give rise to mesenchymal derivatives). Additionally through fate mapping of neural crest and mesoderm in zebrafish, we found that fin mesenchyme (an ectomesechymal derivative) is derived from the mesoderm and not the neural crest, which was previously identified.

Laboratory Technician

• Dec 2003 - Jun 2007

Previous studies have identified Hgc1, a CDK, in regulating hyphal growth of C. albicans, a fungal pathogen. Our study identified its key substrate, a Cdc42 (small G-protein regulating actin dynamics) GAP protein, Rga2, that is phosphorylated by Hgc1. Phosphorylation of Rga2 inhibits its GAP activity, leading to activation of Cdc42 required for hyphal extension. Furthermore we identified bacterial cell wall subunits in serum that induces hyphal growth in Candida albicans.

Laboratory Technician

• Dec 2001 - Jan 2003

Previous studies have identified Hgc1, a CDK, in regulating hyphal growth of C. albicans, a fungal pathogen. Our study identified its key substrate, a Cdc42 (small G-protein regulating actin dynamics) GAP protein, Rga2, that is phosphorylated by Hgc1. Phosphorylation of Rga2 inhibits its GAP activity, leading to activation of Cdc42 required for hyphal extension. Furthermore we identified bacterial cell wall subunits in serum that induces hyphal growth in Candida albicans. Previous studies have identified Hgc1, a CDK, in regulating hyphal growth of C. albicans, a fungal pathogen. Our study identified its key substrate, a Cdc42 (small G-protein regulating actin dynamics) GAP protein, Rga2, that is phosphorylated by Hgc1. Phosphorylation of Rga2 inhibits its GAP activity, leading to activation of Cdc42 required for hyphal extension. Furthermore we identified bacterial cell wall subunits in serum that induces hyphal growth in Candida albicans.