Education:

• B.S., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 2006 
• M.S., Animal Biology, UC Davis, Davis, CA., in progress

Project: 

Reproductive abnormality in transgenic Fat-1 female mice
Transgenic mice expressing the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (Fat-1) gene from Caenorhabditis elegans, under the control of the goat beta-casein promoter, produce milk with elevated levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  Interestingly, Fat-1 females also display reduced litter sizes relative to their wild-type counterparts.  In addition, fetal reabsorptions are increased within female Fat-1.  We are interested in investigating the underlying biological mechanisms which cause this reproductive abnormality in transgenic Fat-1 female mice. 
In addition to traditional laboratory research, I am developing an educational outreach video as part of my Master’s thesis.  The video will center around animal biotechnology with a specific focus on cloning and genetic engineering.