I am currently working in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Moore. My research projects involve the characterization of mouse models of muscular dystrophy with a focus on developmental neuropathology in mice with tissue selective deletion of dystroglycan (DG). DG, a central component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, is known to contribute to basement membrane structure through its function as a high affinity receptor for extracellular matrix proteins. Mutations in known and putative glycosyltransferases in the biosynthetic pathway of DG cause congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) such as Walker-Warburg syndrome, muscle-eye-brain disease and Fukuyama CMD. Brain-specific deletion of DG in the mouse successfully recapitulates the developmental pathology exhibited in these CMDs.I am currently working in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Moore. My research projects involve the characterization of mouse models of muscular dystrophy with a focus on developmental neuropathology in mice with tissue selective deletion of dystroglycan (DG). DG, a central component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, is known to contribute to basement membrane structure through its function as a high affinity receptor for extracellular matrix proteins. Mutations in known and putative glycosyltransferases in the biosynthetic pathway of DG cause congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) such as Walker-Warburg syndrome, muscle-eye-brain disease and Fukuyama CMD. Brain-specific deletion of DG in the mouse successfully recapitulates the developmental pathology exhibited in these CMDs.
The experiences I have had from the Neuroscience Program are great. The interdisciplinary aspect of the program allows students to have access to a variety of labs with a wide range of research interests. Current education in both molecular and cognitive tracks also trains us graduate student to be well-rounded neuroscientists. The current students and faculty in the program very friendly. Iowa City itself is also a great place for graduate students with its diverse cultural activities.
“Iowa City really is the perfect place to go to graduate school. The city has enough to do to keep you busy when you have the time, and cheap enough that you can actually afford to go to a few things as well as live relatively comfortably on the stipend provided. Also, there are truly great people in the program.”