New Faculty Profiles showcase GSA members who are establishing their first independent labs. If you’d like to be considered for a profile, please complete this form on the GSA website.
Steven Zuryn
Group Leader, Stafford Fox Senior Research Fellow
Queensland Brain Institute,
The University of Queensland, Australiae
Lab website
Research program:
One of our main focuses is the emerging role of epigenetic mechanisms that help preserve correct cell function. We have recently found that specific types of histone methylation ensure robust neuron function in C. elegans in the face of stressful conditions. Our goal is to understand how, and be able to predict outcomes under alternative epigenetic criteria that may influence disease progression.
We are also interested in understanding fundamental aspects of neural mitochondrial biology. To do this, we are developing new genetic tools that will allow us probe mitochondrial function in vivo.
We are very interested in recruiting more graduate students and postdocs. We have some very exciting projects that we are currently pursuing and wish to attract investigators that share our high levels of excitement and ambition. The Institute here is an amazing place for students and postdocs, and it is set in a really exotic location with many things to do outside of the lab!
“Creativity. We are lucky in the fact that our job allows us to be creative every single day. This should not be taken for granted and I feel we are privileged in that respect. Whether it is generating new and perhaps revolutionary ideas, or creating ways around small everyday technical hurdles that are encountered in the lab.” -Steven Zuryn on his favorite part about his research
How has being a member of GSA helped you advance in your career? Why do you think societies like GSA are important?
GSA membership and regular attendance of the GSA sponsored International C. elegans Meeting has allowed me to interact with the best geneticists in the world. The importance of the feedback on my projects and ideas has been invaluable to my career. Moreover, I was fortunate enough to present my projects at these conferences, and I believe this was very important for eventual publication.
Previous training experiences:
Postdoctoral fellow: 2009-2015, Dr. Sophie Jarriault Lab, Institut Génétique Biologie Moléculaire Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
PhD: 2008, Prof. Paul Ebert’s Lab, University of Queensland, Australia
BSc (hons 1st class): 2003, University of Queensland, Australia
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Relax! Snowboarding, traveling, camping.
Chloe Poston is the Policy and Communications Manager for the Genetics Society of America where she serves as a liaison to the Public Policy Committee. She has a background in bio-analytical chemistry and science policy.
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