I recently received the "Phinally Done" bumper sticker from the University of Florida and I am ready for a new adventure. My dissertation project focused on a novel anti-proliferative effect of the thymidine analog, Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). This project was a battle because it called into question the dogmatic assumption that using BrdU as a proliferation marker carried little to no consequences for the labeled cells. A single pulse of BrdU reliably reduces the long-term proliferation rate of all primary, stem, and cancer cells tested. Surprisingly, none of the quintessential markers of senescence or cancer appear to be involved -- at least not in the predicted way. The complexity of this project provided me with an incredible opportunity to learn a variety of new techniques. In my opinion, this is exactly what graduate school should be about.

One aspect of cancer research, including my own, which I find troubling is the persistent use of mutagenic agents to treat cancer. It is rather peculiar that we try to outsmart cancer with chemicals whose MSDS generally begin with "may cause cancer." Rather than trying to match mutagenic wits with cancer cells I would like to focus on better understanding their machinery.

Every system can be dismantled if the right trigger points are identified. One of my very first loves was the computer and now I aspire to be a cancer cell hacker. As such, I am passionate about signaling networks because I find the inherent puzzles incredibly exciting to solve. I tend to approach science in a very visual manner so creating graphical representations of molecular networks is the bees knees to me.

Outside the laboratory I choose activities that engage my right brain. There are many times that art actually feels more natural than science so I try to use that creative energy in drawing, painting, and crafting. The only instrument I have ever played with success is the flute, but music is one of the most important aspects of my life. My husband knew exactly what he was doing when he proposed to me in an Irish pub after a Beastie Boys concert. Sunshine is my elixir and probably why I have only lived in Florida and Colorado. Learning how to sew, improving my mountain bike handling, scoring a postdoc in a cancer cell network/signaling lab, and finally making it out to the 180 acre zip line course in Durango top the list of to-dos for this year.