Education

• B.S. in Chemistry (1990) Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo.
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry (1994) Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn.
• Board certified (1999) Clinical biochemical genetics, American Board of Medical Genetics

Professional experience

• 2004 to present: Associate professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
• 2003 to 2004: Associate professor, Departments of Zoology and Pediatrics/Human Development, Colleges of Natural Science and Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
• 1998 to 2003: Director, DNA Diagnostic Program, Deptartment of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
• 1998 to 2003: Assistant professor, Departments of Zoology and Pediatrics/Human Development, Colleges of Natural Science and Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
• 1996 to 1998: Fellowship in clinical biochemical genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
• 1995 to 1998: Postdoctoral fellow, Departments of Neurology and Molecular/Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
• August to December 1994: Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn.
• 1990 to 1994: Graduate research assistant and tutor, Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn.
• 1989 to 1990: Research intern, Department of Pharmacology, Marion Merrell Dow Inc., Kansas City, Mo.
• 1988 to 1990: Instructor, tutor and research assistant, Department of Chemistry and the Center for Scientific Research, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo.

Honors

• 2000: Fellow, American College of Medical Genetics
• 1998 to 2001: American College of Medical Genetics/March of Dimes Travel Award
• 1995 to 1998: NIH Individual National Research Service Award
• 1990 to 1993: NIH National Research Service Award Traineeship
• 1990 to 1993: Fulbright-Swyers Scholarship Award
• 1990: Summa Cum Laude, SMSU
• 1986 to 1990: SMSU Presidential Scholarship
• 1989 to 1990: Fulbright-Swyers Scholarship
• 1989: National Dean’s List
• 1990: American Institute of Chemists Award, Outstanding Senior
• 1989 to 1990: Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Funded research

• NRSA F32 HD08010 (10/1/95-8/31/98) “Molecular Genetics of Smith-Magenis Syndrome”
• Michigan Department of Community Health (2000-2001) “Incidence of hemochromatosis alleles in the Michigan population”
• Michigan Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation of Michigan #12.SAP.00 (2000-2001) “Incidence of hemochromatosis alleles in the Michigan population”
• MSU Foundation, MSU Intramural Research Grant Program (1/1/01-6/30/02) “Molecular Analysis of Smith-Magenis Syndrome”
• NIH R01 HD38534-01A2 (7/1/01-6/30/06) “Molecular analysis of del(17)(p11.2)”

Research interests

The work in my laboratory is focused on the molecular and biochemical analysis of a disorder called Smith-Magenis Syndrome. SMS is a multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome associated with a deletion involving chromosome 17p11.2. Features include mental retardation, speech delay, craniofacial and skeletal anomalies, sleep disturbance (including an inversion of the circadian rhythm of melatonin), significant self-abusive and aggressive behaviors, and a variety of visceral anomalies. We recently identified a single gene from within 17p11.2, called RAI1 (retinoic acid induced 1), that when mutated or deleted causes SMS. Studies in the lab are currently focused toward understanding the function of RAI1 and its role in development and behavior.

Teaching assignments at VCU

• HGEN501 Introduction to Human Genetics (course director: Corey)
• HGEN614 Human Biochemical and Molecular Genetics (course director: Lloyd)
• HGEN527 Medical Genetics (course director: Bodurtha)
• HGEN511 Human Cytogenetics (course director: Jackson-Cook)

Selected publications

• SEARCH on PubMed site for most recent publications