CMIB Degree

PhD, Spring 2017

Prior Degrees

BS Animal Science, Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Honors College, 2008. Currenlty in joint DVM/PhD Program.

Mentor(s)

Simon Petersen-Jones

Research Interests

Inherited ophthalmic diseases, especially Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in dogs and cats. In dogs, I am studying a mutation in the RPGRIP1 gene that occurs in Dachshunds and Papillons, to determine if it is related to PRA in the breeds. In cats, I am studying two forms of PRA, one caused by a mutation in the CEP290 gene and the other caused by a mutation in the CRX gene. I am working towards characterizing the diseases using techniques such as immunohistochemistry, western blotting and electroretinography. I will then begin to work towards gene therapy based treatments for the conditions by testing virus vectors in the feline retina.