Congrats to our recent PhDs!
Class of 2008
Year Name Advisor Degree/Date
2003 Nicholas Sanek Grinblat Dec-08
2002 Sarah Duellman Burgess Sep-08
2002 John Stanga Masson Sep-08
2002 Anongpat Suttangkakul Vierstra Aug-08
2003 Britt Johnson Ikeda Jul-08
2002 Jamie Verheyden Sun Jun-08
2003 Kelley Harris-Johnson Sun Jun-08
2002 Stephan Woditschka Gould Jun-08
2002 Allison Weber Doebley Jun-08
2003 Christopher Mayne Hayes May-08
2002 Young-Kyung Bae Barr May-08
2003 Min Ni Yu May-08
2002 Nicholas Shera Schwartz Mar-08
2003 Hua Wang Moser Feb-08
2002 Joshua Gnerer Ganetzky Jan-08
2002 Jeffrey Berger Ganetzky Jan-08
Class of 2007
Year Name Advisor Degree/Date
2001 Labib Rouhana Wickens Dec-07
2002 Zachary Larson Day/Masson Dec-07
2002 Lan Yi Sun Nov-07
2002 Wei Zheng Culbertson Sep-07
2001 Andrew Jauregui Barr Aug-07
2003 Robert Schmitz Amasino Aug-07
2002 Dana Somers Sussman Aug-07
2003 Jasmine Parvaz Anderson Jul-07
2001 Ben Harrison Masson Jun-07
2000 Tiewen Liu Barr Jun-07
2000 Haining Zhang White Jun-07
2000 Christopher Lockwood Hardin Apr-07
2001 Christopher Hittinger Carroll Mar-07
2001 Dominic Ebacher Boehkoff-Falk Jan-07
1999 Mark Sheffield Hardin Jan-07
2001 Yi Cai Laughon Jan-07
Recent Alumni News
Dr. Kirsten Bomblies, PhD
PhD 2004
Doebley Lab
University of Pennsylvania, BA (1996)
UW-Madison, PhD Genetics (2004)
Hometown: Castle Rock, CO
Kirsten has been named a 2008 MacArthur Fellow
Current Research/Job/Projects: I am currently working on aspects of plant speciation, adaptation and population genetics. We have found that a plant version of autoimmunity is responsible for some types of post-zygotic genetic incompatibilities in plants. I am a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for developmental biology in Tuebingen, Germany, working in Detlef Weigel's group. I will be here a few more months. I start as an assistant professor at Harvard University (Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department) July 1, 2009.
Ph.D. Research: I worked with John Doebley studying duplicate candidate genes that might be responsible for some trait changes important in the domestication of maize from its wild ancestor, teosinte. I first examined the genes' developmental roles in maize, and later did some molecular evolution studies. I really enjoyed my PhD time, and fieldwork was a special highlight!
Why you came to UW-Madison for graduate school?: When I interviewed it felt like home. The faculty were nice, open, and interesting. They also made it clear they were committed to the graduate students. I also really liked the other grad students in the department, as well as the laid-back, but yet intellectually challegning feel of the department and Madison in general.
What did you like about living in Madison?: I liked Madison for many reasons. I like the small town charm that somehow manages to co-exist with "big city" features such as diverse restaurants, fun shops, coffee shops, live music, museums, etc... I also really enjoyed the proximity of the outdoors - favorite activities included sea kayaking on the lakes, and on the Wisconsin river (particularly fond memories of flooded forests, camping on sand islands), and rock climbing at Devil's Lake and Boulders gym. Ice-skating in the winter in Madison and cross country skiing were also fun! Madison was also a great place to live - I love old wooden houses with front porches and back yards for lazy summer days.
Awards/Fellowships:
2008 - MacArthur Foundation Fellowship
2005 - 2008 Ruth Kirschstein NRSA postdoctoral fellowship (NIH)
2004 Schlimgen Award (UW-Genetics department)
1999-2004 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Graduate fellowship
Dr. Kelley Harris-Johnson, PhD
PhD 2008
Sun Lab
Xavier University of Louisiana, BS Biology
UW-Madison, PhD Genetics (2008)
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Current Research Description: Currently a postdoc with Rick Amasino, UW-Madison. I work on two projects in the Amasino lab. The first project is the development of Brassica rapa as a tool to teach undergraduate and K-12 students genetics and plant physiology. The second project investigates the molecular basis of natural variation in flowering time in ecotypes of Arabidposis thaliana.
PhD Thesis: In my thesis, I investigated the molecular mechanisms of mouse lung initiation and branching morphogenesis. My results demonstrate that ß-catenin is essential for lung initiation. Conditional inactivation of ß-catenin in the mouse foregut epithelium prior to lung initiation results in a lung agenesis phenotype. Analysis of these mutants revealed a primary defect in the maintenance of expression of Nkx2.1, the lung specification marker. I also found that DICER function is essential for lung branching morphogenesis. DICER processes miRNAs to their mature, active form. MiRNAs are potent regulators of gene expression. When DICER is conditionally removed from the mouse lung epithelium, branching morphogenesis halts prematurely, thus suggesting that miRNAs play an essential role in this process.
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, cooking, visiting museums
Things I like about Madison: The things that I enjoy about the city of Madison are people, the small town charm with the big city conveniences, the variety of shops and restaurants, the farmers market, networking/support for families and promixity to Chicago and St. Louis.
Awards: The David and Lucille Packard Graduate Scholar Fellowship and The Ford Foundation Diversity Disserator Award
Dr. Labib Rouhana, PhD
PhD 2007
Wickens Lab
University of Texas at El Paso (BS)
UW-Madison, PhD Genetics (2007)
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Current Research/Job/Projects: Postdoctoral researcher. Currently a Postdoc in the Agata Lab, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Will continue to Phil Newmark's Lab, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.Analyzing mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation in planarian stem-cells and regeneration.
Ph.D. Research: My thesis work focused on regulation of mRNAs in eukaryotes, emphasizing the identification of regulatory proteins, their mechanisms of action, and RNA-protein interactions. I identified and characterized a non-canonical poly(A) polymerase, GLD-2, and showed that it is the enzyme responsible for activating dormant or "masked" mRNA during oogenesis and in the early embryo. I also demonstrated that it physically interacts with other mRNA regulatory proteins, CPEB and CPSF, and co-localizes with these factors in the brain. I also discovered a mechanism for auto-activation of GLD-2 mRNA.
Why you came to UW-Madison for graduate school?: Because it was the best program which accepted me. There was outstanding research being made in a friendly, fun and laid-back atmosphere.
What did you like about living in Madison?: Poker night at Bob and Gerry's. Football sundays at the big ten. Going to Brewers and Packers games. Not so small, but still a college town. Great seminars and speakers.
Awards/Fellowships: NSF minority postdoctoral fellowship.
Dr. Chris Hittinger, PhD
PhD 2007
Carroll Lab
Southeast Missouri State University, BS in Biology and in Chemistry
UW-Madison, PhD, Genetics (2007)
Currently a postdoc
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Current Research/Job/Projects: The evolution of transcriptional regulatory networks in Mark Johnston's lab in the Center for Genome Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis
Ph.D. Research: The evolution of eukaryotic genetic regulatory networks in Sean Carroll's lab.
Why you came to UW-Madison for graduate school?: To study molecular evolution and development under Sean Carroll.
What did you like about living in Madison?: Summer evening on the terraces.
Awards/Fellowships: Maclyn McCarty Fellow of the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation (2008); Genetics Fellow of Washington University in St. Louis
Current Student Profiles
Feel free to contact any of our profiled students.
They would be happy to answer any questions about our program.
Mary Kate Bonner
PhD Student
Skop Lab
Carleton College, BA Biology 2006
Hometown: Madison, CT & Cranbury, NJ
Research description: I am using proteomics and comparative genomics to identify factors involved in setting up the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.
Hobbies: Playing the drums, listening to music and podcasts, discussing politics, keeping up on Icelandic trivia, cooking, running
Things I like best about Madison: the Terrace during the summer, multiple farmers' markets, being able to walk most places, $10 student tickets to Wisconsin Union Theatre for most concerts, wide range of restaurants and many other things.
Xu Chen
PhD Student
Ganetzky Lab
B.S., Biological Sciences, Peking University, 2006
Hometown: Putian, Fujian, China
Research Description: I study the development and function of Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction
Hobbies: art, music, cooking, tour
Things I like best about Madison: quiet and neat, beautiful spring and fall, great university
Raul Correa
PhD Student
Baum Lab
BA Biology, Pomona College
Research Description: I have developed a new forward genetic screen in plants, named "transgenomics", to identify genes that explain phenotypic differences between species.
Hobbies: soccer, reading, outdoor activities, traveling
Things I like about Madison: Badger sports, the Terrace, State Street, Halloween, Hoofer's Sailing Club
Eric Domyan
PhD Student
Sun Lab
BS Biology, The Ohio State University 2000
M.Ed. science education, The Ohio State University 2001
Hometown: Lexington, OH
Research Description: I study murine lung development. Specifically, I am studying the role of the BMP signaling pathway in lung branching morphogenesis. I am also studying lung maturation in the late pre- to early perinatal period.
Hobbies: I enjoy distance running, ice skating, canoeing, hiking, sled riding, and any other outdoor activity that I have time to try.
Things I like about Madison: Madison has a ton of cultural and recreational opportunities, and is easily navigable by bicycle. I especially enjoy the number of lakes and rivers that are suitable for canoeing.
Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Beth Dumont
PhD Student
Payseur Lab
BAs in Anthropology and in Biology, Cornell University
Hometown: Augusta, Maine
Research Description: Evolution of Mammalian Recombination Rates
Hobbies: running, biking, swimming, knitting, cooking, being outdoors
Things I like best about Madison: the zoo, the Farmer's Market, the city's liberal atmosphere, the Terrace, the lakes, the arboretum, Madison's ethnic restaurants, the list goes on...
Awards: NSF Pre-doctoral fellowship recipient, Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cornell, Phi Beta Kappa
Lisa Farmer
PhD Student
Vierstra Lab
Loyola University Chicago, B.S. Honors, Biology (2002)
Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois
Research Description: I research how proteolysis mediated by the Ubiquitin/26S Proteasome System (UPS) regulates a plant's ability to germinate, develop, and respond to internal and external environmental cues. I focus specifically on the RAD23 family of Ubiquitin-like/Ubiquitin-associated proteins and how they not only contribute to the regulation of Ub-conjugate half-life, but also connect the UPS to essential processes such as DNA repair and appropriate maintenance of the cell cycle. I am also interested in how the UPS regulates the Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, which controls post-germinative seedling growth and mediates a plant's response to stresses such as drought, salinity, and pathogen attack. The hormone ABA controls the expression and stability of a very important transcription factor named ABI5 (ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5), which is largely responsible for mediating downstream ABA effects to help a germinated seedling survive adverse environmental conditions. We and others have shown that ABI5 is a directed target of the UPS, and we are elucidating the mechanisms by which it is post-translationally modified and turned over in order for seedlings to resume growth upon removal of an environmental stress.
Hobbies: Softball & volleyball, music, photography, cooking, and billiards.
Things I like best about Madison: The city of Madison provides a multitude of great outdoor and indoor opportunities, cultural events, musical venues, restaurants, athletics, unique artistic resources and a beautiful, peaceful setting to find your own niche. Madison itself has afforded me the opportunity to get involved in my community and meet people from different walks of life. The UW-Madison, more specifically the Laboratory of Genetics, has exposed me with one of the greatest Genetics communities in the country, has provided me with the tools that I need to become an independent scientist, and has allowed to me take advantage of multiple leadership roles that have contributed not only to my own personal development but to the UW and the Madison community.
Awards: Gamma Sigma Delta, UW-Madison Agricultural Honors Society, Vilas Travel Fellowship Recipient, UW-Madison, American Society of Plant Biologists Travel Fellowship Recipient
John Herriges
PhD Students
Currently Rotating
Iowa State University: B.S. in Biology, 2008
Hometown: Ames, Iowa
Research Description: Rotating, but focusing on development
Hobbies: Swimming, football, basketball, and listening to music
Things I like best about Madison: I really like the campus and state street area and the different types of restaurants and events that are found there.
Andrew Klocko
PhD Student
Wassarman Lab
Univ. of Maryland, College Park, B.S. Cellular, Molecular Biology and Genetics (2002)
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland
Research Description: The E. coli 6S RNA forms a stable and specific complex with sigma70-RNA Polymerase which in turn inhibits transcription. My project is to determine what regions and residues of the sigma70 subunit that are important for the interaction with 6S RNA.
Hobbies: Golf, painting, bicycling.
Things I like best about Madison: Summertime.
Tallini Martins
PhD Student
Baum Lab
Western Michigan University, BS
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Research Description: I'm interested in the genetics of adaptation. My project involves identifying the underlying genetic basis of petal color patterns in Clarkia gracilis. These patterns, or spots, are known to affect pollinator visitation and plant fitness.
Hobbies: Reading, dancing, going to the farmer's market, sampling traditional Wisconsin beverages and food
Things I like about Madison: summer, union terrace, farmer's market on the square,free concerts on the square, the variety of restaurants, the liberals, laid-back feel of the town.
Awards: Advancement Opportunity Fellowship, Marie Christine Kohler Fellowship
Carolyn Neal
PhD Student
Masson Lab
Claremont McKenna College, BS, Claremont, California
Hometown: Corozal, Belize, Central America
Research Description: I am characterizing a protein that is part of a translocon complex and seems to play a role in root growth behavior. Broadly: Signal Transduction, Gravity response, Root Growth Behavior.
Hobbies: Travel, Investment, Gardening, Eating, Cooking, Dancing, Hiking
Things I like about Madison: Restaurants, Bars, Public Transportation, Campus Libraries, The Arboretum
Awards: Advanced Opportunity Fellowship, Emerging Infectious Diseases Postdoctoral Fellowship
Bharti Solanki
PhD Student
Pelegri Lab
BS Genetics, Univ. of California-Davis
MS Genetics, UW-Madison
Research Description: I am mapping and characterizing a maternal-effect mutation called aura in zebrafish. This mutant has defects in cortical granule exocytosis, germ plasm segregation and late cytokinesis.
Hobbies: Reading, dancing, going out with friends
Things I like best about Madison: Summer, the lakes, Fall color, comedy club, overture center, State Street, Variety of foods, concerts on the square, American Players Theater in Spring Green, Door County, Wisconsin Dells, close to Milwaukee and Chicago.
Awards: Advanced Opportunity Fellowship and NIH Ruth L Kirschstein Minority Fellowship.
Robb Stankey
PhD Student
Vierstra Lab
University of Washington, B.S. Cellular Developmental and Molecular Biology (2006)
Hometown: Redmond, WA
Research Description: I study phytochrome, which is a protein that plants and other organisms use to perceive light of certain wavelengths. More specifically, I am trying to understand the regulation and function of Phytochrome A in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Hobbies: Reading books, watching films, typography, graphic design, photography
Things I like best about Madison: Madison, though smaller than I am used to, has more than its fair share of culture. I love all the different ethnic restaurants, art, and music that you can find here. Also, the beer here is very good.
Awards: Herbold Foundation Scholar
Zhen Zhang
PhD Student
Sun Lab
BS 1999 Genetics Fudan Univerisity Shanghai, China
MS 2002 Genetics Fudan University Shanghai, China
Hometown: Xiapu, Fujian, China
Research Description: Transcription factors in mouse limb development. I am studying the role of PEA3 group transcription factors downstream of Fibloblast growth factor pathway in mouse limb development.
Hobbies: Pingpong
Things I like best about Madison: Autumn
Awards: 1999 Guanghua Scholarship, Fudan University