Research Interests:
The Schedin lab focuses on characterizing extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that mediate mammary epithelial cell death during key windows of normal mammary gland differentiation, such as adolescent mammary gland development, the estrous cycle, and the pregnancy/lactation/involution cycle. Major areas under investigation include adolescent mammary development, mammary epithelial cell-stromal interactions, tissue remodeling, mammary carcinogenesis, and chemoprevention in rodent models. 

My primary focus is characterizing ECM proteomes of the ‘breast-cancer protected’ and ‘at risk’ mammary gland.  For these studies, we are isolating ECM proteins from mammary glands of female rats at reduced risk for developing breast cancer either due to tamoxifen treatment or parity (giving birth), and from control ‘at risk’ rats.  We are using proteomics to identify proteins that are present in ‘protected’ rats but absent or reduced in ‘at risk’ animals.  These proteins will be candidates for further characterization by in vitro and in vivo methods.

General Interests:
I like to mountain bike, and just bike around Aurora, hike, and snowshoe.  At home, I love to cook, read and I hope to do some gardening in our new house.  I love all things Celtic and am newsletter editor for the Clan Macduff Association.  I also enjoy belly dancing.

Publications: