Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy

Research Area:  proteins involved in mechanotransduction and mechanical sensitivity in inflammation

After working in the Stucky lab as a lab technician from 2007-2009, I decided to pursue a PhD through the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences. I realized my passion was studying mechanisms of peripheral sensation and pain and joined the Stucky lab as a graduate student. Understanding the mechanisms behind pain would enable production of new, targeted pain medications; however, very little is actually known. I’m excited to conduct research in this field that is both highly important as well as extremely challenging. I am particularly interested in the mechanisms involved in how force and touch are sensed and relayed from the peripheral nervous system (mechanotransduction) and how inflammation and injury alter peripheral sensation and pain.