Research Programs

Our research seeks to translate fundamental biochemistry and molecular biology into clinical insights that can be used to improve human health.

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Our research explores how genetic and environmental influences drive key biological systems—including metabolism, development, neurobiology, and immunity—to uncover the root causes, pathogenesis and transmission of human disease.
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Cellular Metabolism

Faculty members, Patterson and Clem, investigate how changes in metabolism affect immune response and contribute to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.

Ben Lovely looks through a fish tank with zebra fish.

Developmental Biology

Faculty member, Lovely, examines how genetic and environmental factors shape morphogenesis and embryonic development.

 

Wastewater testing research

Immunobiology

Faculty members, Watson, Smith, Magalis and Patterson study how genetic and cellular variation in hosts and pathogens influence disease risk, progression and transmission, with applications in infectious disease, autoimmunity, transplant, and cancer.

 

Illustration of a brain with mapped tumor regions

Neuroscience

Faculty member, Gregg, studies synaptic organization in the eye and its role in retinal disease, focused on both basic biology and the development of potential treatments.

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Epigenetics

Faculty members, Klinge and Petri, study epitranscriptomic mechanisms to uncover how gene-environment interactions drive endocrine-resistant breast cancer and environmental liver disease.

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Bioinformatics

Faculty members, Rouchka, Rife Magalis and Watson, develop machine learning and artificial intelligence tools for genomics research and biosecurity.