As an undergraduate I majored in Microbiology
and Chemistry at Miami University. I decided to
study Microbiology at the graduate level based
on how much I enjoyed the courses I took at Miami
and the wide range of career choices a Ph. D. in
microbiology would afford me. As an undergraduate
I took advantage of many training programs, which
included serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant
and tutor, completing academic and industrial research
internships, and I was even given the opportunity
to serve as coordinator of a summer research program
for minorities interested in pursuing careers in
scientific research. All of these experiences furthered
my interest in Microbiology and more specifically
regulation of gene expression. I decided to join
the Department of Microbiology at OSU because of
its strong foundation in bacterial physiology,
outstanding reputation, and distinguished faculty
with diverse research interests.
I joined the lab
of Dr. Tina Henkin in the spring of 1999, where
we study mechanisms of gene regulation
in Gram positive bacteria using Bacillus
subtilis as a model. The two major projects in our lab
address transcription antitermination mechanisms
in which
gene expression is regulated at the level of
premature termination of transcription. The focus
of my project
is the S box system, which mediates expression
of genes related to sulfur metabolism. Since
we study regulation of transcription our research
also involves RNA structure and function, as
does
the research of several other labs in our department.
We participate in a departmental RNA journal
club, which is a reflection of the inter-lab collaboration
that is among the many great resources in our
department.
Other strengths of the department include accessibility
of faculty members and exceptional training and
support of students.
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