Kathleen G
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Cornell University
Expertise
genetics, gene editing, reproductive biology, infectious diseases
Bio
I am a recent PhD graduate in Genetics, Genomics, and Development from Cornell University. As a graduate student, I studied how abundant egg production in females induces physiological changes that negatively impact bacterial immune defense. To do this, I used the power of CRISPR gene editing and Drosophila genetics to alter investment of resources towards egg production and measured immune system performance. Prior to graduate school, I studied gene regulation during meiosis, with a focus on how these processes have evolved over time. Outside of the lab, you can find me strength training, playing volleyball, and hiking. I also like to make my own laboratory in the kitchen by trying new recipes! Finally, I will read any book I can get my hands on, but I particularly enjoy science fiction and historical fiction.Project ideas
Identifying Targets for Gene Editing Therapy
Recently, a few genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia have been successfully treated with gene editing. CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene editing technologies have been proposed as a possible treatment for hereditary diseases and even cancer. However, significant barriers remain for the safe and effective application of CRISPR/Cas9 to many human diseases. In this project, you will choose a disease that could be treated with gene editing therapies. You will review the literature about this disease and propose how CRISPR/Cas9 could be applied to the mutation(s) causing this disease. Your findings could be presented as a research article or a more creative presentation such as a series of blog or social media posts! This project is designed to fit the student's interests--what genetic diseases are most interesting to you?