Currently I am a research scientist under the direction of Dr. Bill Russell in the Mass Spectrometry Facility (https://www.utmb.edu/MSF) within the Small Molecules division that focuses on metabolomics and lipidomics. My background is mostly in lipidomics, i.e. the application of mass spectrometry instruments and techniques to the study of lipids. I became interested in lipids through a combination of influences. For example, in my undergraduate career at St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) I had the opportunity to take part in an off-campus research opportunity that used electron tomography to image the cell membrane junction between conjugating Tetrahymena cells. Through my other classes I found the way that lipids fill multiple biological roles from structural (membranes, extracellular matrices), signaling molecules, and a source of energy to be fascinating.
I've also had a long interest in technology and puzzles (the three-dimensional, brain teaser kind). In graduate school (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) I was able to combine these interests in studying the molecular structures of glycosphingolipids in colony-forming microalgae using mass spectrometry, where mass spec is a bit like solving a puzzle by breaking molecules into pieces and figuring out how they go back together. Following graduate school, I did a postdoc at the University of North Texas where I did mass spectrometry imaging of transgenic plant seeds, structural characterization of novel seed oils, and development of lipidomic workflows. My current research interests are applying mass spectrometry techniques to discover the intricate molecular details of lipid biomolecules (e.g. double bond location, cis/trans isomers, sn configuration, oxidations, odd-chain and branch-chain, etc.) and how they all relate to cellular function and metabolism.
Outside of research I have several hobby interests: running (currently training for second marathon this fall), walking, biking, reading, guitar, and tinkering with computers.
I've also had a long interest in technology and puzzles (the three-dimensional, brain teaser kind). In graduate school (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) I was able to combine these interests in studying the molecular structures of glycosphingolipids in colony-forming microalgae using mass spectrometry, where mass spec is a bit like solving a puzzle by breaking molecules into pieces and figuring out how they go back together. Following graduate school, I did a postdoc at the University of North Texas where I did mass spectrometry imaging of transgenic plant seeds, structural characterization of novel seed oils, and development of lipidomic workflows. My current research interests are applying mass spectrometry techniques to discover the intricate molecular details of lipid biomolecules (e.g. double bond location, cis/trans isomers, sn configuration, oxidations, odd-chain and branch-chain, etc.) and how they all relate to cellular function and metabolism.
Outside of research I have several hobby interests: running (currently training for second marathon this fall), walking, biking, reading, guitar, and tinkering with computers.