B.S. from University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI; Joined the lab in March, 2022  

What do you research? I study how temperature impacts maternal gene regulation
How did you get into science? Various experiments and projects from middle school biology, including using a light microscope for the first time to view protists in pond water.
Favorite Molecule? Acetone. It looks like a person!
What do you do for fun? Art and Dungeons & Dragons. 

Lab Location: LRB 970W
Phone: 508-856-3718
  

B.Sc. Sabanci University, Instanbul, Turkey; Ph.D. UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA; Joined the lab in October, 2016  

What do you research? I study the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation in the germline and the embryo. 
How did you get into science? I used to read science and technology journals for kids when I was in primary school and got interested in science.
Favorite Molecule? Water because water is life.
What do you do for fun? I read, listen to music, go to concerts and meet with my friends. 

Lab Location: LRB 970X
Phone: 508-856-3718
 

B.S. from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Joined the lab in October, 2021

What do you research? I study genes that control oocyte maturation.
How did you get into science? A combination of middle school chemistry and popular science books I read when I was younger.
Favorite Molecule?  Glucose is pretty neat. 
What do you do for fun? A variety of crafts but especially knitting and crochet.

Lab Location: LRB 970X
Phone: 508-856-3718
 

Sean graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He studied the mechanisms of RNA folding and catalysis in the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University, earning a Ph.D. in 2001. He performed post-doctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute, where he was awarded a Damon Runyon fellowship to study post-transcriptional regulation and RNP assembly. He joined the faculty of the UMass Chan Medical School in 2005.

What do you research? His current research focuses on the role of RNA-binding proteins in the regulation of gene expression during differentiation and development, with a focus on reproductive biology and early embryogenesis. His work couples quantitative methods, molecular genetics, and high throughput approaches to map regulatory networks at the systems level. He received a Scholar Award from the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research in 2006, and a Basil O’Connor Award from the March of Dimes in 2008.
How did you get into science? Isaac Asimov's science fiction writing, and his essays to the layperson on particle physics.
Favorite Molecule? RNA
What do you do for fun?  Sean plays guitar and sings in a country rock cover band.  

Lab Location: LRB 970W
Phone: 508-856-3718
 

B.S. from College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA; Joined the Lab in June, 2022 

What do you research? I study maternal transcripts required for anterior-posterior axis specification in the embryo  
How did you get into science? Science Fair projects in the 5th and 6th grade and a special interest in botanics which developed into an interest in biochemistry.  
Favorite Molecule?  Ghrelin
What do you do for fun? Read and workout

Lab Location: LRB 970W
Phone: 508-856-3718