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Biological Chemistry Alum

I earned my PhD in Biological Chemistry in 2007. My mentor was David Engelke, and my research investigated mechanisms by which tRNA genes coordinate subnuclear genome organization and transcriptional silencing in yeast.

I moved to Columbia University to carry out postdoctoral research in the field of insulin signaling and diabetes. My postdoctoral mentor was Domenico Accili, in the Department of Medicine. My research investigated mechanisms by which the insulin-repressible FoxO transcription factors regulate hepatic glucose versus lipid metabolism.

In 2012, I was awarded a K99/R00 and carried out a national faculty job search. I was retained at Columbia and entered a tenure-track faculty position in 2014, in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology.

Currently, I lead a lab of 4 postdoctoral scientists and 1 PhD student. Our research investigates mechanisms by which insulin resistance and diabetes increase cardiovascular risk. We’ve been funded by grants from the NIH and American Diabetes Association. We think a lot about lipids and bile acids.

I’d love to talk to you if you’re interested in: diabetes, atherosclerosis, metabolism, lipids, bile acids, New York City, future career development grant applications, being a faculty member in a medical school, running a research lab that relies on external funding.