Year you started the Neuroscience Program: 2002

Why you chose the UC Denver Neuroscience Program: The neuroscience program at UCD has a broad range of research to select from. But what really made me choose the program was the fact that the faculty members are so accessible, friendly and great teachers.

What labs you rotated in: Nancy Zahniser, Jim Sikela, Rock Levinson

What lab you joined and why: I elected to rotate in his lab because I thought I should learn more about ion channels. I joined the Levinson lab because Rock is an excellent teacher, very enthusiastic about his research, fun to work with and I learned to love sodium channels.

Short description of your project: I am looking at interactions between voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and AKAP 79/150 in the peripheral nervous system.

Where you attended undergrad and what your major/minor(s) were: Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA. Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry

What you did (if anything) between undergrad and grad school:I worked for two years at OHSU doing ethanol tolerance studies in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience. I then took a year off to travel around and have fun.

Other school affiliated activities/clubs you are involved in: Alternative in Science Club

What you like to do outside of school: I tutor math and biology at the Denver School of Science and Technology. I love to ski, hike, bike, run and do all the other great outdoorsy things available. I also do a lot of non-science reading and cook a lot.