The Presidential Membership Initiative was launched in 2020 as a way for the Genetics Society of America to invite talented and creative individuals from diverse backgrounds into our community. We are pleased to introduce the inaugural cohort of Presidential Members. Throughout 2021, they will network with one another and with other Society and Board members, participate in GSA Conferences, and be valued additions to our community. Welcome, Presidential Members!
We will be introducing Presidential Members all week, so be sure to check back and meet your new colleagues.
Amanda J. Browne
Associate Scientist, PPD
I perform immunological assays to assess drug substance products for impurities to support the research and development of new medicines.
Jacob Brunkard
Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
My lab investigates the TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) metabolic regulatory network in plants. We use a combination of approaches, including genetics, functional genomics, and cell and molecular biology, to understand how TOR coordinates metabolism with nutrient availability in model and agricultural crop species.
Abdul-Rahman Adamu Bukari
Graduate Student, Microstats Lab, University of Manitoba
The overall objective of my research is to examine the temporal stability of phylogenetic clusters associated with a single geographic location in the two most common Candida species (C. albicans and C. glabrata) isolated from humans, while also defining variation and relationships in the accessory genomes among both closely and distantly related isolates.
Bernabe I. Bustos
Postdoc, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
My research focuses on understanding the genetic bases of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. I analyze large-scale next-generation sequencing data from affected individuals and healthy controls, to find novel candidate genes that could help to explain the disease etiology and to develop novel therapies.
Hannah Chu
Graduate Student, Yamanaka Lab, University of California, Riverside
I study juvenile hormone (JH) signaling in Drosophila melanogaster. My research aims to understand how JH affects insect physiology and behavior and how we can manipulate JH signaling to control insects.
Matthew Clark
Assistant Professor, Bucknell University
My lab uses the power of Drosophila neurogenetics to gain a better understanding of how a complex brain can orchestrate complicated behaviors. Previous work examining freely flying fruit flies demonstrated that small changes in wingbeat kinematics can lead to dramatic changes in flight heading. Our ongoing efforts are centered on understanding how changes in flight behaviors are controlled by the brian and neuromuscular system.
Kerri Davidson
Post-baccalaureate Student, Parkhurst Lab, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
I am interested in unraveling the mechanism associated with a new and exciting nuclear-pore independent nuclear export pathway: Nuclear Envelope (NE) budding. We know NE-budding is essential for major developmental pathways involving neuromuscular integrity and aging, but there are likely other processes requiring this event.
Annette Dean
Postdoc, Stanford Research Group, Drexel University
My research has two focus areas: 1) the interrelationship between epigenetic factors and canonical developmental pathways in neurodevelopment, and 2) the aspects of experiential learning opportunities that allow students to achieve specific learning outcomes.
Arely Diaz
Graduate Student, Reis Lab, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
My work focuses on characterizing how specific RNA-binding proteins interact with RNAs in the Drosophila fat body to regulate energy homeostasis. Specifically, my work will elucidate how these RNA-protein interactions contribute to the establishment of sexual dimorphism in metabolism.
Melissa Drown
Graduate Student, Marine Genomics Lab, University of Miami
Using a combination of physiology and genomics, my research investigates the rapid evolution of the Atlantic killifish in response to environmental temperature change. Do local temperature differences lead to local adaptation? What evolutionary processes are involved in population response to environmental temperature change?
Nicole Harrington
Undergraduate, Heller Lab, University of Pennsylvania
My current research looks at stress and Nr4a1 regulation. I will be examining the effects of acute and chronic stress on neurons in the prefrontal and S1 cortices in order to investigate the mechanisms behind mental disorders and drug addiction.
Lewis Hun
Postdoc, Yamanaka Lab, University of California, Riverside
My research interests will be broadly focused on the integrative biology of insect hormones and host-microbe interactions in arthropod vectors of medical importance. Specifically, I’m interested in how hormones such as 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH) that orchestrate metamorphosis and host immunity during microbe infection can be leveraged to reduce the global impact of insects on human and animal health.
Read more in
-
Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor
A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team. Hongyu ZhaoSenior Editor Hongyu Zhao is the Ira V. Hiscock Professor of Biostatistics, Professor of Genetics, and Professor of Statistics and Data Science at Yale University. He received his BS in…
-
GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024
“At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…
-
In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation
Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…
-
Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…
-
Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024
You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…
-
Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience
A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…
-
TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners
GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity…
-
Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards
In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…
-
Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research
In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…
-
New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026
We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Caroline Muirhead
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Caroline MuirheadCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeWorcester Polytechnic Institute Research Interest I didn’t always know I wanted to make science my career. In fact, I started college as an engineering major.…