Welcome

Background

I earned a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Statistical Methods from Miami University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University. In college, I monitored the formation of stable free radicals of polyphenols extracted from various plants and biological levels of Vitamins C and E in rat blood plasma under the guidance of Dr. Ann Hagerman. As a graduate student in Dr. Zucai Suo's laboratory, I developed expertise in advanced enzymology. My dissertation research involved determining mutagenic profiles and pre-steady state kinetic changes that arise when error-prone DNA polymerases encounter DNA damage. I also served as Lab Chemical Safety Officer and Lab Manager for the Suo laboratory while mentoring several students. My postdoctoral research involved studying the molecular mechanism of the human DNA mismatch repair pathway under the mentorship of Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and 2015 Nobel Laureate Dr. Paul Modrich at Duke University. At St. Mary’s College of Maryland, my research program combines these two fields in the context of harmful environmental contaminants.