B.S. Yale University
1991
Ph.D M.I.T. 1997, lab of Hidde Ploegh (now at Harvard)
Interests
At present, I am studying the early
embryonic development of the cerebellum, with a focus on the
molecular signaling events that lead to the segregation of
rhombic lip derivatives from the ventricular neuroepithelium.
Through a combination of technical approaches including transgenic
and retroviral mediated gain-of-function, as well as conditional
loss-of-function, I have found that Notch signaling plays
a crucial role in maintaining a ventricular progenitor population,
and may act by antagonizing rhombic lip derived signals such
as BMPs. Utilizing the chick electroporation system, I am
currently exploring the epistasis between Notch and BMP signaling
that appears to be critical for maintaining the balance between
rhombic lip and ventricular germinal zones.
