Research Interests

My research interests are focused on the development of the nervous system in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. My students and I are currently analyzing several genes believed to be involved in this process. We are characterizing the mutant phenotype using immunohistochemical staining techniques, and we are also attempting to clone these genes using PCR and plasmid rescue techniques. This work is of interest in terms of human biology as well, since most Drosophila genes have human homologues that often play very similar roles during development. Several such genes have even been linked to certain human diseases.

Students who are interested in participating in this research are encouraged to come speak with me. Students may either carry out research during the regular academic year for upper-level Directed Research credit, or they may choose to get a more intensive experience by working in the lab during the summer. Grant money is available from Pitt-Bradford to pay for students to present their research at conferences. Currently, grant money is also available from an NIH AREA grant to help provide summer research students with stipends.

My Students in the Lab and on the Road!

 

 

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