Summary
My career has been focused on researching the cause of and therapeutics for muscular dystrophies. My interest in the field of muscular dystrophy began at the age of 20 when I was diagnosed with FacioScapuloHumeral Dystrophy (FSHD). My graduate research focused on understanding the molecular mechanism behind FSHD using Xenopus laevis as a model system. After receiving my Ph.D., I wanted to expand my knowledge in the areas of other muscular dystrophies, the mouse as a model of human disease, and cell based drug discovery. Working and training with Dr. Burkin has given me the opportunity to learn all three of these areas from a well-established investigator. In my primary research as a post-doctoral fellow, I helped Dr. Burkin develop and optimize a cell based assay to find enhancers of 7 Integrin expression. I have worked to develop these small molecules as therapies for muscular dystrophy patients as a research assistant professor. Several of these small molecules have now been shown to have efficacy in slowing dystrophic progression of the mdx mouse disease pathology. I have now begun exploring the effects of these therapeutics in the new FSHD mouse model created by Dr. Peter Jones laboratory.