I’m originally from a small coastal town in Oregon. As a first-generation college student, I attended the University of Washington for my undergraduate degree, competed on the swimming team, including at the NCAA championships and Olympic Trials, and got my BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. I continued to compete during graduate school, retiring from the sport shortly after the 2012 Olympic Trials. I completed my PhD in Biological Sciences at the end of 2015. I am currently an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Missouri in the Department of Biochemistry and mom to a kindergartener. My doctoral and early postdoctoral research was in cancer biology. I am now interested in diseases that impact the salivary glands and, specifically, the nucleotide-mediated epithelial-immune cell communication involved in these disease processes. I serve as the Vice President for the Salivary Research Group.
Please briefly describe your background and research interests.
I study cellular responses to extracellular nucleotides. Generally, we think of the roles of nucleotides within the cell in the form of genetic material and energy currency, but nucleotides also serve as transient extracellular signaling molecules. Released by damaged or dying cells or in response to triggers such as irradiation, extracellular nucleotides act as a specific class of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS) known as alarmins that initiate inflammatory responses. I study these receptors and signaling pathways in the context of diseases that impact the salivary glands, namely autoimmune Sjögren’s Disease (SjD) and chronic salivary gland dysfunction that arises as a collateral side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. My work spans fundamental biochemistry and immunology, focusing on translating these findings to develop novel therapies for the treatment of salivary gland disorders.
How did you first learn about the AADOCR Mind the Future Program, and what motivated you to apply?
I learned about the AADOCR Mind the Future Program at the annual meeting in Atlanta in 2022. I was motivated to apply to expand my network, especially my peer network, and improve my grant writing abilities as I transition to an independent position.
What has been the most valuable benefit of AADOCR membership to you?
The community. I joined AADOCR in 2020 because I was invited to join the leadership of the Salivary Research Group and serve as Group Program Chair in preparation for what became a fully virtual meeting in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The professional relationships and network I’ve built over the last nearly four years have been pivotal to my career development and enriched my research. I’ve also met many people through session planning, which makes the conference so much more enjoyable to reconnect with investigators from all over the country.
Are you going to next year’s IADR/AADOCR General Session in New Orleans? If so, which parts are you most looking forward to?
Yes! I look forward to meeting the other MIND the Future mentees in person and discussing how to create a more inclusive dental, oral, and craniofacial research field with the broader IADR/AADOCR community. I’m also excited and proud of all the programming the Salivary Research Group has organized for this year's meeting. As a bonus, it’s my birthday during the meeting, and now I have an extra reason to celebrate in New Orleans.
What is the best way for other members to become more involved in AADOCR and get the most out of the membership?
Based on my experience, it’s essential to get involved more than simply attending the annual meetings. Whether running for a leadership position in your group or network, serving on a committee, or organizing a session proposal, involvement will help you learn about new opportunities and expand your network, making the conference more fun and impactful. The more I invest in the meeting and community, the more I take away from the meeting in terms of understanding how my work fits into the broader field, what tools and knowledge are available to enrich my research, and who might be a great mentor or collaborator. Depending on where you’re from, you might also want to join a local AADOCR section, such as the Missouri section I’m a part of, offering additional opportunities for speaking, collaborating, and learning about local resources.