About Me

I am a human molecular geneticist and have experience in monogenic and complex genetic disease research. My research focuses on identifying genetically and epigenetically regulated cellular and molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Determining molecular mechanisms underlying ethnic disparities in these common metabolic diseases is a key area of my research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association. 

As a Principal Investigator of a multidisciplinary research team, I lead studies in human participants and cell culture models and have implemented integrative genomic and systems biology approaches to define genetic and epigenetic regulators of insulin sensitivity in African-Americans and individuals of European ancestry. Knowledge gained through my research projects will help the development of novel precision medicine approaches to both prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.

Educational Program Involvement

Molecular Genetics and Genomics PhD
Program Research Interest: Identification of genetic variants that contribute to complex disease, Gene-environment interactions, Epigenetics, Genetic epidemiology, Bioinformatics

Molecular Medicine and Translational Science PhD
Program Research Interest: Analytical approaches to molecular and cellular synthesis, structure and function, Genetics and gene regulation, Cell communications, Organ systems, Pathophysiology