Molecular mechanisms of polyglutamine-induced neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration in cellular and animal models.

General research activities: My lab uses mouse models of human neurodegenerative disease to study basic pathophysiology and potential treatments, with a special focus on the polyglutamine family of neurodegenerative diseases. The major projects I have in the lab are 1) investigating the role of protein quality control in polyglutamine disease using mice engineered to lack portions of the protein quality control machinery and 2) investigating the role of protein aggregation and abnormal protein complex formation in polyglutamine disease pathogenesis.

Living in Iowa City

General experience with the program and the city: Since I am an MSTP student in the Neuroscience Program, it’s especially important to me that these programs work well together both in their administration and their academic requirements. I have found the Neuroscience faculty and staff to be very responsive to my unique needs as an MD/PhD candidate, and I enjoy the program’s close relationship with the clinical neurologists and psychologists on campus. Although I am on the molecular/cellular track, I have been able to keep abreast of innovation and discovery in cognitive and systems neuroscience, thanks to our seminar series and the integration of those areas into my coursework and comprehensive exams. My experience in the Iowa City area has been excellent. The inherent friendliness of the residents made me feel welcome every place I’ve gone. I have lived in several large college towns, and Iowa City has the highest density of great food, bars and entertainment of any of the places I’ve lived. Most important, the cost of living is low enough that even as a grad student, I can afford to try everything offered here!