SUU Research Projects
At SUU, I am starting a small research program looking at the role of synaptotagmin (syt) proteins in the early development of the nervous system in zebrafish embryos. Syts have been found to regulate the release of neurotransmitters and chemical signals from the nerve cells in the brain. In the scientific literature, there is some evidence that these syts may be very important in establishing early neural connections; however, this information is relatively limited. Ultimately, my goal would be to help my students explore the role of syt proteins in organizing embryonic structures such as the early spinal cord, brain, heart, and other important mechanisms that pattern our bodies after sperm meets egg.