I study how meiotic proteins work together to process DNA double strand breaks and prepare a nucleus for homologous recombination. I specifically work with the MRN protein complex that is made up of three proteins: MRE-11, RAD-50, and NBS-1. This complex plays a part in DNA DSB formation and resection after it has been broken to create ssDNA ends ready for strand invasion. I conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen that lead to the identification of MRE-11 interacting proteins. I indent to analyze mutants for gene encoding for these proteins and identify their role in DSB repair.

I am a student in the Ph.D program at the Department of Biology. For a long time, I have been fascinated by the diverse reproductive ways in which different organisms have evolved. Now I can explore the most essential process in sexual reproduction, meiosis, by using both genetic and cytological tools. Currently I am working on several projects related to how DSBs are repaired in meiosis, focus on DSB resection.