Our lab is interested in the proapoptotic function of Protein Kinase C δ (PCKδ) in response to genotoxins. One of my projects focuses on finding novel binding partners to a conserved polyproline sequence in the C-terminus tail of PKCδ. This putative SH3 ligand is flanked by a bipartite Nuclear Localization Sequence (NLS), which is critical for PKCδ to enter the nucleus and induce apoptosis. We suspect that the SH3 ligand interacts with proteins to prevent nuclear import, thus apoptosis, until an apoptotic stimulus causes its release. I primarily use GST pulldowns to investigate interactions between PKCδ and potential SH3 binding partners. These experiments are followed up with Mass Spectrometry to identify the interacting proteins.

My second project focuses on finding nuclear targets of PKCδ. We know that nuclear retention of PKCδ is sufficient to induce apoptosis, but the mechanisms of induction are unknown. Therefore, finding nuclear substrates of PKCδ will help us understand how this genotoxin-induced apoptosis occurs.

General Interests:
I enjoy movies, music (mostly 80’s), volunteering at the Downtown Aquarium, walking the trails around Denver with my Corgi Charlie, and trying to get my very lazy cats to play with me. Whenever I get a chance, I go home to the Thousand Islands of New York, and hang out on the St. Lawrence river.