Graduate Field of Genetics and Development

Individual Student Views

Kirk Lohmueller
Clark/Bustamante Labs
G&D (Entered Fall 2005)

From: East Hampstead, NH
Undergraduate: Georgetown University, Washington, DC; BS (Biology) in 2005

Statement

I came to Cornell University because of the strong program in evolutionary biology and population genetics. Cornell is rather unique in that it has really top-notch people working on both theoretical and applied population genetics. In addition to the strong population genetics community, Cornell offers wide variety of quality courses. When I came to Cornell, my main interests were in analyzing human genetic variation to better understand disease and evolution. However, now as a result of excellent coursework and interacting with my colleagues, I am becoming more interested in the theoretical issues underlying these topics.

Also, having lived in Washington, DC for four years prior to coming to Cornell, I needed a change from a big city. Ithaca has been a wonderful place for graduate school. It is clean, quiet, free of traffic, and very affordable.

The Field of Genetics and Development is quite special as well. The Field structure allows students to have multiple advisers in different departments, allowing for true interdisciplinary research.

Research

My research focuses on using genetic variation to understand human evolution and susceptibility to disease. Most of my recent work has involved analyzing genetic variation from different populations, and then using theoretical models to estimate evolutionary parameters or determine if certain models are sufficient to explain the patters we see in data.

Karen Osorio
Tumbar Lab
G&D (entered program 2004)

From: Born in Puerto Rico
Undergraduate Studies: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus

Statement

As an undergraduate student, I became more interested in biology and wanted to keep learning. So, I decided to pursue my doctoral degree in the field of Genetics and Development. I chose to come to Cornell because it is one of the top Universities in United States and in addition, there were several labs that I was interested in. When I came for an interview, I met different people in our department from whom I felt the friendly environment, and I thought that I could gain friends as I pursue my degree. So far, I haven’t regretted my decision of coming to Cornell.

Research

The Tumbar laboratory uses stem cells from one of the epidermal appendages of the skin, the hair follicle, as a model system to study mechanisms that regulate stem cell function in morphogenesis, homeostasis and injury repair. In our previous genomic screen (Tumbar et al, 2004) we identified the transcription factor RUNX1, widely known for its pivotal function in hematopoietic stem cells emergence, to be differentially expressed in the stem cell compartment of the mouse hair follicle. To understand the function of Runx1 in the hair follicle stem cells, we employed targeted conditional deletion analysis in mice. Currently I am analyzing the phenotype of the Runx1 mutant mice.

Alex Wong

Aquadro & Wolfner labs
G&D Field (entered program fall 2002)

From: Ottawa, Ontario
Undergraduate: Carleton University, Ottawa ON, Canada. BA (Biology/Philosophy) in 2000.
Graduate: Carleton University. MA (Philosophy) in 2002.

Statement

I was interested in coming to the Field of Genetics and Development because of the wide range of research being conducted, in diverse fields such as developmental biology, molecular genetics, population genetics, and molecular evolution. I was excited about the possibility of doing interdisciplinary work for my PhD, where I could use tools from both molecular evolution and molecular genetics to address interesting questions. Moreover, Ithaca has a lot to offer outside of the University like great hiking, good restaurants, and a lively music scene.

Research

I work on the molecular evolution and functional analysis of genes involved in fruit fly reproduction. Following mating, female fruit flies undergo many behavioral and physiological changes: they store sperm, resist further mating attempts, and increase their rates of ovulation and egg laying. Interestingly, some of the genes that cause such post-mating changes evolve very rapidly between species; this observation also holds true for many reproductive genes in marine invertebrates, mammals, and plants. It has been suggested that interactions between proteins produced by males and those produced by females underlie this rapid evolution. Differing reproductive interests of males and females may, for example, drive a molecular arms race similar to that observed between immune molecules and their targets. I am determining the effects of rapid amino acid divergence on the dimerization of a male seminal fluid protein, ovulin, that induces ovulation in females after mating. In addition, I am characterizing the functions and evolution of a number of proteases expressed in the male and female reproductive tracts.

Danso Ako-Adjei
Vogt lab
G&D Field (entered program fall 2001)
Graduated May 2007. Presently Postdoc, Emory University

From: born in Ghana, grew up mostly in New York City.
Undergraduate: Carleton University, Ottawa ON Canada; BS (Biology/Biotechnology) in 2001

Statement

I had always been interested in science, but not until my first undergraduate genetics course was I certain of my interests in molecular biology. After learning a bit about retroviruses and working at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York City, I became even more interested in virology. I decided to come to Cornell because of the flexibility afforded by the Graduate Field system. It also didn't hurt that Ithaca is absolutely beautiful.

Research

Our lab is interested in the mechanisms underlying retroviral assembly. A single structural protein, Gag, drives assembly by means of protein-RNA-, protein-protein- and protein-lipid interactions. The two retroviruses we focus on are the classic chicken virus Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In my project I have created chimeric RSV/HIV-1 Gag proteins as tools to better understand assembly and morphogenesis.

Abbie Saunders
Lis Lab
G&D Field (entered program fall 2001)
Graduated May 2007. Presently Postdoc, Cornell University

From: Gloucestershire, England.
Undergraduate: University of Nottingham; BS (Genetics) in 2001

Statement

I wanted to undertake my graduate study in the USA because the five year (as opposed to three year) program in the States gives greater opportunities for teaching, taking classes and learning how to write Grant applications. I chose Cornell because of its great reputation for being a top research and teaching institution, and because there were several labs at Cornell working on the area that I was most interested in (mechanisms of gene expression). The visitation weekend sealed my decision to come to Cornell, after I received a terrifically warm reception and immediately made a great bunch of friends. Another great bonus for Cornell was the setting in a small, friendly town with plenty of arts, entertainment and outdoor activities to take advantage of. I was also particularly excited about being within a 30 minute drive of a ski resort.

Research

The Lis lab studies the mechanism of transcription activation at the Drosophila heat inducible gene, hsp70. I primarily focus on examining the recruitment and localization of various transcription factors along the hsp70 gene, and my research makes use of a range of biochemical and genetic techniques. I am attempting to make fly lines carrying temperature sensitive alleles of factors that I'm interested in, and I am also making use of a drug that inhibits the activity of particular factor as a tool to study the factor. Additionally I am involved in the development of new technologies with which to study the distribution of factors along the gene.