LARAMIE AKOZBEK
ZACH MEHARG
CARTER WRIGHT
Fifth-year graduate student HudsonAlpha Lab: Dr. Sara Cooper Home Institution: University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Science, Biotechnology Science and Engineering Program What is your research focus? I lead two Whole Genome Sequencing studies focusing on identifying rare variants contributing to disease risk in inherit- ed cancer and early-onset or atypical dementia. Our work identified variants contributing to dementia risk disease that would be missed by targeted panel testing and affirms the need for comprehensive genetic approaches. I also use genomic approaches to understand mechanisms of drug resis- tance in pancreatic cancer. Specifically, we demonstrated that overexpression of HDAC1 , a gene encoding a histone deacetylase involved in several chromatin remodeling complexes, is associated with multi-drug resistance and patient survival in PDAC. What are your hobbies outside of the lab? I enjoy playing beach volleyball. Another passion is scuba diving. I started diving at age 11 and have loved it ever since. I have an advanced open water certification and have plans to knock off a bucket list item and dive the Great Barrier Reef very soon.
Second-year graduate student HudsonAlpha Lab: Dr. Alex Harkess Home Institution: Auburn University Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science What is your research focus? My research focuses on characterizing the sex chromosomes of dioecious plants using computational approaches. Currently, I am working on the sex chromosomes of Morella cerifera , the Southern wax myrtle. What are your hobbies outside of the lab? Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, nature journaling, and cooking with my husband.
Second-year graduate student HudsonAlpha Lab: Dr. Alex Harkess Home Institution: Auburn University Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science What is your research focus? Analyzing floral genes across the Asteraceae with a focus in the cultivated Dahlia What are your hobbies outside of the lab? When not in the lab, I am either taking my dog Newton for walks or at the pool coaching the next generation of swimmers ranging from 6-14 years old!
*Hear from Carter in an episode of Tiny Expeditions.
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