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. However, the mechanism of action remains unknown. Surprisingly, none of the quintessential markers of senescence and cancer appeared to be involved. 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 working with graphical representations of molecular networks is the bees knees to me.