Although I began my research career in theoretical physics, I soon expanded my focus to include genomics and chromatin (the substance within chromosomes comprised of DNA and proteins). Since joining the Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology at Cincinnati Children’s in 2013, I’ve applied theoretical physics methods to study chromatin biology.
Most disease-susceptibility genetic loci are located in regions of the genome that encode regulatory instructions. These instructions influence where and when gene products are produced in human cells. Because chromatin plays an essential role in regulating gene activity, my lab uses genomic and theoretical methods to better understand chromatin dynamics in regulatory regions of the human genome.
I’ve received several awards throughout my career, including a Scholar Award from the Arthritis National Research Foundation (2015).