I was born to a couple of Jayhawks who raised me outside of Spokane, Washington. I’ve always been interested in science, and this has taken me into diverse scientific fields and places around the world. I worked in a lab for the first time while researching zinc binding by the fungus aspergillus at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. My undergraduate senior thesis involved developing a micro-fabricated electrode sensor for brain implantation with the Department of Neurosurgery at the Yale University School of Medicine. After college I conducted field research with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin in West Africa. Eventually, I started graduate school in Bioengineering. My work there involved developing micro- and nano- fluidic devices to perform single cell electrophysiological experiments and create chemical gradients. I decided I wanted to become a physician-scientist and so here I am pursuing an MD/PhD degree in Pharmacology. I am specifically interested in the fields of neuroimmunology and neurovirology. During my free time, I try to play soccer and get outdoors to run, hike, and bike as much as possible. I spend a lot of time constantly fixing up my little house and volunteering at the JayDoc Free Clinic.
Research Interests
Under the supervision of Dr. Nancy Berman and Dr. Ken McCarson, I investigate the underlying causes of migraine headache with a specific focus on those classified as menstrual migraine. This research incorporates the fields of neuroscience, endocrinology, and inflammation. The presence of meningeal inflammation, vascular dynamics, and pain in migraine is well described but the mechanisms driving the pathologic interconnection of these components are poorly understood. The higher prevalence of migraine in women has been established and seems to fluctuate with estrogen levels, but the mechanisms underlying this connection remain unknown. With my research, I attempt to understand how hormone and immune status modulates pain mechanisms in migraine. My project employs a model of meningeal inflammation, rodent behavioral studies, and mRNA analysis to determine the role of estrogen signaling and CGRP in sensitization of the trigeminal sensory pathway. Ultimately, this research could lead to the development of better targeted therapeutics for migraine pain.
Contact Information
Updated 11/13/08
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