Research

My current research in the Parker Lab at Caltech aims to further develop CRISPR-based gene editing tools in rove beetles. Specifically, I am working with the emerging model organism Dalotia coriaria, also known as the greenhouse rove beetle. By increasing our capability to perform genetic manipulations in Dalotia, which is a free-living rove beetle, this work will enable the lab to further its understanding of how some species of rove beetles have evolved obligate symbiotic relationships with ants that allow them to infiltrate ant colonies and benefit from the colonies’ resources.

For my senior thesis research in the Gavis Lab at Princeton, I demonstrated novel contributions of an RNA-binding protein to germline development in Drosophila melanogaster. This work improves our understanding of RNA biology and posttranscriptional regulation in the Drosophila germline, with broader implications for gene regulation in other systems. For more information on my senior thesis research, please contact me using the contact form on my homepage.