I am interested in human genetics, specifically related to complex disease. My thesis project is on the genetics of hypertension, as our lab has recently identified a gene that is associated with elevated blood pressure through genome-wide association in the Old Order Amish. My specific project is focused on identifying and characterizing variants within this gene and examining these variants for functional, physiological relevance to blood pressure regulation.

I graduated from Coe College in 2005 with a B.A. in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and General Science. I then completed my M.S. in Human Genetics at Tulane University in 2006, and am now working towards my Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine in the Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine track at the University of Maryland.