About
Biography
I have been a biomedical researcher for over 13 years and began working at Cincinnati Children’s in 2014. My research aims to identify the underlying biological mechanisms that govern skeletal muscle growth and muscle disorders in children. Ultimately, I strive to make a difference by optimizing muscle health and development in children with muscle weaknesses.
I work with Dr. Roger Cornwall, MD, to study neuromuscular contractures in children with brachial plexus birth injuries. We are examining the biological basis of contractures and exploring nonsurgical interventions to prevent them. Our works have been published in many well-respected journals, including JCI Insight, FASEB Journal and FEBS Letters.
I also have a strong commitment to mentoring undergraduate, graduate and medical students in biomedical research. Their works and contributions have garnered individual awards and led to journal publications. My former trainees have successfully transitioned to industry positions and have also been accepted into medical school programs.
BS: University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 2007
MS: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, 2010
PhD: University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 2014
Post Doc: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2019
Interests
Skeletal muscle biology; pediatric muscle disorder
Research Areas
Publications
Sexual dimorphisms in skeletal muscle: current concepts and research horizons. Journal of applied physiology. 2024; 137(2):274-299.
The Relative Efficacy of Available Proteasome Inhibitors in Preventing Muscle Contractures Following Neonatal Brachial Plexus Injury. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume. 2024; 106(8):727-734.
The role of sympathetic innervation in neonatal muscle growth and neuromuscular contractures. The FEBS Journal. 2023; 290(20):4877-4898.
Brachial plexus birth injury and cerebral palsy lead to a common contracture phenotype characterized by reduced functional muscle length and strength. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences. 2022; 3:983159.
NRG/ErbB signaling regulates neonatal muscle growth but not neuromuscular contractures in neonatal brachial plexus injury. FEBS Letters. 2021; 595(5):655-666.
Timing of proteasome inhibition as a pharmacologic strategy for prevention of muscle contractures in neonatal brachial plexus injury. The FASEB Journal. 2021; 35(2):e21214.
Scientific Advances in the Understanding of Contracture Pathogenesis in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. 2020; 2(2):129.
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