Blue Genes and Boots

In this episode, Andrew and Lance talk with Dr. Antonia De Maio, who is a scientific editor at Cell Press and Cell Reports. Originally from Italy, she earned her PhD at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where she studied RNA biology in the context of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. She later conducted research at Harvard Medical School, focusing on small RNAs using C. elegans as a model organism. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu

In this episode, Veronika and Andrew talk with Erin Winick Anthony, a maker, writer, science fashionista, and science communicator. Erin is the founder of the science communication company STEAM Power Media, which works to highlight the creativity in science and engineering while helping others tell their science stories. Her clients include Astrolab, Hearst Media Production Company, Zero G, Space Center Houston, the International Ocean Discovery Program, and more. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu

In this episode, Esme and Tyler interviews Dr. Ethan Bier. Dr. Bier is a Distinguished Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a pioneering researcher in developmental patterning, disease mechanisms, and super-Mendelian inheritance. His laboratory’s work spans a wide range of biological systems, from uncovering how bacterial toxins disrupt human epithelial barriers to developing active genetics. This work has major implications for controlling vector-borne diseases and combating antibiotic resistance.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu

In this episode, Veronika and Sam talked to Dr. Tom Clemente. Dr. Clemente is a leading figure in plant biotechnology, well known for his contributions to agricultural genetic engineering. He received his B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, followed by an M.S. in Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. After postdoctoral training at Monsanto, he joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he has spent the past 29 years directing the Plant Transformation Core Research Facility. His work has helped establish the facility as a nationally recognized center for crop genetic engineering, supporting advances in soybean, maize, sorghum, wheat, and other key agricultural species.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu

In this episode, Veronika and Sam talked to Dr. Masako Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M University. She received her DVM at Iwate University in 1998 and her PhD at Gifu University in 2002. Her lab’s research focuses on how the prenatal environment, such as vitamin A deficiency, affects the offspring’s cells later in life.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Suzuki lab page: https://suzukilab.org/ Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

In this episode, Veronika talked to Dr. Matthew Moulton. Dr. Moulton is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M. He received his Bachelor's at Brigham Young University and his PhD at the University of Utah. His lab focuses on delineating the molecular mechanisms of genes associated with neurological disease, especially Alzheimer’s disease by utilizing the genetic model organism, Drosophila melanogasterIf you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Moulton’s Website: Moulton Lab WebsiteGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

In this episode, Veronika and Sam spoke with Dr. Dmitry Kurouski. Dr. Kurouski is an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University. He received his Bachelor's and Master of Science at the Belarussian State University and his PhD at the State University of New York at Albany. His lab focuses on many different topics, from lipids in neurodegeneration, plant diseases, nanostructures, and forensic hair analyses. We hope you enjoy!If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Kurouski bio: https://bcbp.tamu.edu/people/kurouski-dmitry/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode Anthony talked to Sarah Ingram, a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Genetics program at Texas A&M, a US Navy veteran, and a 2024 Tillman Scholar. She returned to academia after 9 years of military service and received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University- Texarkana. Currently, she studies under Dr. Shaunna Clark in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and her research focuses on the relationship between DNA methylation and anxiety.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, the research discussed in this episode, or the Pat Tillman Foundation please visit the following websites:Dr. Shaunna Clark: https://medicine.tamu.edu/faculty-listings/shaunna-clark.html  Sarah Ingram: https://vitalrecord.tamu.edu/graduate-genetics-researcher-named-among-60-tillman-scholars-for-2024/https://pattillmanfoundation.org/meet-our-scholars/sarah-ingram-2/The Pat Tillman Foundation: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Charles spoke with Dr. Matt Sachs. Dr. Sachs is a professor in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University who received his Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Cornell University and PhD in Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research focuses on the mechanisms controlling protein synthesis, such as in Neurospora crassa. Dr. Sachs is also a practiced yogi (!) and we invite you to listen in as he discusses his research, career, and the parallels between yoga and science. We hope you enjoy!If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Matt Sachs bio: https://www.bio.tamu.edu/faculty-msachs/ Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Howdy, and welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone! In this episode Sam and Veronika spoke with third year GENE students, and newly minted PhD candidates, Emmarie Alexander and Tyler Chan. Emmarie came to our program from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and she currently studies under Dr. William Murphy. Tyler previously attended The University of Alabama - Huntsville, and he now studies under Dr. Zachary Adelman. Emmarie and Tyler sat down with us and talked about their experience with the dreaded preliminary exam process. We invite you to listen in on how they prepped, what it was like, and how they feel now that it's over. They've got great advice for every stage of the process, so take advantage and check out this episode now! Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy!If you'd like to learn more about Emmarie and Tyler, please visit their respective lab websites: Emmarie: http://www.eutherialab.org/Tyler: https://zachadelmanlab.entomology.tamu.edu/If you'd like to learn more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Veronika talks to Dr. R. Graham Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of North Carolina Asheville and an associate at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. He received his B.A. in Biology from Duke University and his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Reynolds is an expert in vertebrate evolution and endangered species biology, especially reptiles in the Caribbean, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, Harvard Gazette, Discover Magazine, Newsweek, National Geographic, and Smithsonian Magazine, among others. If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Reynolds’ lab: https://reynoldslab.wp.unca.edu/Dr. Reynolds’ Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Onue3acAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdateDr. Reynolds’ National Geographic Explorer Page: https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/r-graham-reynoldsGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Sarah talked to two speakers from the 2024 Genome Editing Symposium at Texas A&M: Dr. Paul Christou and Dr. Makoto Saito. Dr. Christou is an ICREA research professor at Universitat de Lleida (UdL) Life and Medical Sciences. Dr. Saito is a senior scientific fellow conducting post-doctoral research in Dr. Feng Zhang’s lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGovern Institute. We invite you to listen in on what they have to say about their path to their current positions, impactful moments and colleagues encountered during their career, and their advice for aspiring graduate students.If you’d like to learn more about our guests, please visit the following websites:Dr. Christou: https://www.icrea.cat/Web/ScientificStaff/paul-christou-319 Dr. Saito:Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=caJcp0cAAAAJ&hl=en  Feng Zhang lab: https://www.zlab.bio/ Genome Editing Symposium 2024: https://genomeeditingsymposiumtamu.wordpress.com/ If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Anthony talks to Dr. George Church. Dr. Church is a Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and founding Core Faculty member of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. He received his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology at Harvard University in 1984. His research has spanned many disciplines, from genomic sequencing to synthetic biology. He has also co-founded multiple companies, such as Colossal Biosciences, which is working to de-extinct various species like the woolly mammoth.If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Church’s bio from the Wyss Institute: https://wyss.harvard.edu/team/core-faculty/george-church/ George Church’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=SfDzdgEAAAAJ&hl=en Colossal Biosciences: https://colossal.com/ Nebula Genomics: https://nebula.org/whole-genome-sequencing-dna-test/ Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Samantha and Sarah talk to Dr. Qing Sun, one of our Genetics and Genomics Faculty members. Dr. Sun is an assistant professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She received her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and did her postdoctoral training at the Synthetic Biology Center at MIT. Her lab uses synthetic biology to improve human health and the environment. If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Sun Lab Website: https://qsunlab.com/ Dr. Qing Sun’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=pEZ1tkEAAAAJ Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Sarah and Veronika talk to Dr. Seth Murray. Dr. Murray is a professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and Eugene Butler Endowed Chair in Agricultural Biotechnology at Texas A&M University. He received his B.S. in Crop and Soil Science at Michigan State University and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University. His research focuses on the breeding, quality, and genetics of maize (aka corn), and he is the founder and editor of the Plant Phenome Journal. If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Seth Murray bio: https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/people/murray-seth-c/ The Plant Phenome Journal: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/25782703?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxNW2BhAkEiwA24Cm9PwyaIH-uEoLMNYg5H3_rU12ZOqPSM3TnaIUkqKV-66Ey5_1VBZQZRoCtjsQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=R3MR425&utm_content=LifeSciences&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=google Dr. Murray’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=o2U40BEAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Howdy, and welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone! In this episode, Sarah spoke with four undergraduates from universities across the county who participated in our Summer Undergraduate Research in Genetics and Genomics (SURGe) program.The National Science Foundation SURGe Program is a 10-week intensive research experience under the mentorship of one of our Faculty of Genetics and Genomics members that includes a 3-credit hour Bioinformatics class. The credits are transferable to their home institution. Additionally, students have weekly meetings to explore research and career opportunities in genetics and genomics, discuss research ethics, how to apply to graduate school, and learn practical oral and written presentation skills.Come listen in as we speak with Lance Nuique, Dante Lopez, Julia Hunter and Neryan Castrodad about their decision to apply, how their experience went in the program and where they'll go from here! If you'd like to learn more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone! In this episode, Anthony Matarazzo speaks with Veronika Mojik and Charles Mitchell, two current PhD students in the TAMUGENE program. Veronika obtained her undergraduate degree from The University of North Carolina - Asheville and studies under Dr. Hubert Amrein. Charles' undergraduate studies were completed at The University of Texas - Dallas, and he is advised by Dr. Dmitry Kurouski. They've just finished up their first year of graduate studies and have got some great advice that you won't want to miss! Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy!If you'd like to learn more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

In this episode Veronika Mojik talks with third year PhD candidate Mayra Mendoza about what it's like to traverse graduate school while being a mom to two boys! They also discuss Mayra's research on the alpaca genome and the in's and out's of running a cytogenetic service lab within an academic setting. 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Emmarie and Sarah talk to Dr. Jessica Light, a professor and curator of mammals in the Ecology and Conservation Biology department at Texas A&M University. She received her B.S. in Biology and Resource Ecology and Management at the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in Zoology at Louisiana State University. Her lab uses molecular and morphological data to study the evolution of distantly related taxa, such as between mammals and their parasites.If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Jessica Light: https://eccb.tamu.edu/people/light-jessica/ Light Lab Website: https://lightjessica.weebly.com/ Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=QVd0d7IAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Emmarie and Veronika talk to Dr. Harmit Malik, a professor and associate director of the Basic Science Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. He received his BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Rochester. His lab studies the evolution of genetic conflict in Drosophila, primates, and yeast, with a focus on centromeres, viruses, and mobile elements.If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Harmit Malik’s bio: https://www.fredhutch.org/en/faculty-lab-directory/malik-harmit.html Dr. Malik’s lab website: https://research.fredhutch.org/malik/en.html Dr. Malik’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=68yAqOQAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Emmarie and Serina talk to Dr. Bruce Walsh. Dr. Walsh is an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology professor at the University of Arizona. He earned his Ph.D. in genetics at the University of Washington and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago and the University of California, Davis. His research uses mathematical models to better understand the evolution of genetics and complex traits.If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Bruce Walsh: https://eeb.arizona.edu/person/j-bruce-walshDr. Walsh’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7iQEFwIAAAAJ&hl=en Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Emmarie and Serina talk to Dr. Adam Phillippy. Dr. Phillippy is the director of the Center for Genomics and Data Science Research and the head of the Genome Informatics Section at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). His research focuses on developing computational tools for genomic analysis, such as genome assembly. His team has developed many widely used bioinformatic tools and assembled the genomes of diverse species. In 2022, Dr. Phillippy and his group published the first fully complete (or telomere-to-telomere) human genome.If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Adam Phillippy: https://www.genome.gov/staff/Adam-M-Phillippy-PhD Telomere-to-telomere human genome publication: https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.abj6987Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Khushboo and Sarah talk to Lilia Sanchez. Lily is a postdoctoral researcher who successfully defended her dissertation in Fall 2023! She is in Dr. Weston Porter’s lab where she has studied mitochondria and mammary gland development. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Porter lab: https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n90e6f6c0/Persons/View%20All Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots, everyone!In this episode, Serina talks to Dr. Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis. Dr. Carvunis is a computational and systems biology assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She earned her PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Grenoble and was awarded the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award in 2019. Her research focuses on the mechanisms behind changes during evolution using tools such as bioinformatics and yeast genetics.If you want to know more about the research discussed in this episode or about the Genetics program at Texas A&M, please visit the following websites:Dr. Carvunis: https://www.isb.pitt.edu/people/faculty/anne-ruxandra-carvunis-phdDr. Carvunis’ laboratory website: https://carvunislab.csb.pitt.edu/ Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Howdy everyone! In this episode, Joe and Anthony interview guests from Texas A&M’s 2023 Genome Editing Symposium. Dr. Matt Burg is a researcher at Solid Biosciences and Dr. Washington da Silva is a researcher at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station within the Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, where he specializes in the diagnosis, bioinformatic analysis, and molecular biology of viruses that infect crops. He received his PhD from Cornell University in 2018. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.eduSolid Biosciences: https://www.solidbio.com/The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: https://portal.ct.gov/CAESDr. da Silva’s bio: https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/ABOUT-CAES/Staff-Biographies/Washington-Luis-da-Silva

Howdy everyone! In this episode, Joe and Anthony interview guests from Texas A&M’s 2023 Genome Editing Symposium. Dr. Jeffrey Barrick is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin where his research is focused on the development of methods to predict and stop unwanted evolution of microbes. Recently, his group has started to apply synthetic biology tools to manipulate bacterial endosymbionts of insects with an emphasis on those in honeybees and aphids. Dr. Thomas Saunders is a research professor at the University of Michigan where he has been a pioneer in the development of transgenic mouse models and has over 30 years of experience running the BRCF Transgenic Animal Model Core. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.eduDr. Jeffrey Barrick: https://molecularbiosci.utexas.edu/directory/jeffrey-e-barrickDr. Barrick’s laboratory website: https://barricklab.org/twiki/bin/view/LabDr. Thomas Saunders: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/intmed/thomas-l-saunders-phdTransgenic Animal Model Core: https://brcf.medicine.umich.edu/cores/transgenic-animal-model/about/

Howdy everyone! In this episode, Joe and Brittni talk to Ben Thomas, a PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics at Texas A&M. His lab is in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology and his advisor is Dr. Zhilei Chen. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Zhilei Chen's lab: https://research.tamhsc.edu/zchen/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu Ben’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bShrimp6

In this episode, Sarah interviews Dr. Larry Suva. Dr. Suva is a professor and is the department head of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M. He is also a member of our very own faculty of genetics. Sarah discusses Dr. Suva's path from industry to academia and his ongoing research in uncovering regulatory pathways involved in bone physiology and the development of pre-clinical models for rare bone diseases.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Suva’s bio and research interests: https://physiology.tamu.edu/faculty/larry-j-suva/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Joe and Serina talk to faculty of genetics, Dr. Zach Adelman. Dr. Adelman is a professor of entomology and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics here at A&M, where he is also a Presidential Impact Fellow. His focus is on the development of novel gene editing and gene replacement approaches for disease vector mosquitoes as well as implementing robust safeguards for the use of these technologies. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Adelman’s Research: https://zachadelmanlab.entomology.tamu.edu/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots!In this episode, Serina and Aaron talk to Esmé Cope, a graduate student in the Texas A&M Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics. Esmé works in Dr. Zach Adelman's laboratory, where she studies the genetic mechanisms surrounding the mosquito Aedes aegypti. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.eduGenetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.eduDr. Adelman's website: https://zachadelmanlab.entomology.tamu.edu/Thank you for listening!

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Serina and Aaron talk to faculty of genetics, Dr. David Riley. Dr. Riley is a professor of genetics and animal breeding here at A&M, with a special focus on cattle genetics. His research examines the association of genes, gene combinations, and other molecular variants with beef cattle production traits, especially those traits related to reproduction and efficiency.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Riley’s Research: https://animalscience.tamu.edu/people/riley-david/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

In this episode, Sarah talks to fellow GENE student, Anthony Matarazzo. After receiving undergraduate degrees in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Florida, Anthony spent three years working in industry labs where he helped diagnose patients with genetic disorders and produced gene-therapy products to treat such diseases. His current research in the Rimer and Srinivasan labs here at Texas A&M aims to characterize the impact of astrocytic mitochondrial DNA ablation on the neuroenvironment of the Hippocampus.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Rimer’s Lab: https://medicine.tamu.edu/faculty/rimer.htmlGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Ashley and Emmarie talk to Dr. William Murphy. Dr. Murphy is a professor in the vet school at Texas A&M University, and his work focuses on comparative genomics, phylogeny and molecular evolution, with a specific focus in feline genetics. Dr. Murphy’s work has been very influential, from laying the groundwork for comparative genomics as a field to building tools and genomes that are useful to the scientific community on the whole.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Murphy’s Lab: http://www.eutherialab.org/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Anthony and Ramiah talk to Serina Taluja. Serina is the founder and creative director for this podcast, in addition to being a fourth year graduate student in the genetics program. She's in Dr. David Stelly’s lab, and her graduate work has been focused on characterizing and manipulating meiotic recombination in cotton to increase overall diversity in cultivated species.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Stelly Lab: https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/people/stelly-david-m/Serina’s Science Blog: https://serinataluja.wixsite.com/blogGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Sarah and Emmarie talk with Dr. Claudio Casola. Dr. Casola is an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology. Dr. Casola’s research encompasses many aspects of evolutionary biology, conservation genetics, ecology, and population dynamics, with a special focus on plant and insect genome evolution.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Casola Lab: https://agrilife.org/casolalab/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Serina and Khushboo talk with Michelle Jonika. Michelle is a fifth-year Ph. D. student in the genetics program, getting ready to defend her dissertation in early 2023! She’s completed her research in Dr. Heath Blackmon’s lab, and her work focuses on the structure and evolution of sex chromosomes, as well as many other fascinating aspects of evolutionary biology. She’s participated in several internship programs during her time in graduate school as well, in addition to being a highly involved member of the genetics program. If you would like to see a video version of this podcast, please visit the Blue Genes and Boots Podcast YouTube page!If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Michelle’s website: https://michellejonika.github.io/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Ramiah and Sarah talk with Dr. Jessica Galloway-Peña. Dr. Galloway-Pena is an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and is currently recognized as a Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar here at Texas A&M. Her research focuses on the genetic basis of pathogenesis as well as microbiome dynamics during cancer treatment.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Dr. Galloway-Pena’s Lab: https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n339da0fb/Persons/View%20AllGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots! In this special mini-episode, we talk to two of our SURGe (Summer Undergraduate Research in Genetics program) students and hear about how their experience in the program went. Listen and learn about what you can look forward to if you apply for the 2023 cycle!If you'd like to submit an application and join us next summerApply here! https://genetics.tamu.edu/genetics-genomics-research-experiences-undergraduate-program/ Or if you'd like to learn a little bit more about our program, please visit the following websitesGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Anthony and Khushboo chat with former genetics grad student Dr. Caitlin Curry. After receiving her degree in 2019, Dr. Curry accepted a Post-Doc position at “Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium'' working in Conservation Genetics. She is currently working at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a Research Coordinator, also in Conservation Genetics. With a passion for carnivores, and a background in animal behavior and cognitive neuroscience, Caitlin studies the conservation of big cats. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Caitlin’s website: https://www.mylifeiscrap.org/about.htmlSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Aaron and Serina host Dr. Kevin Bredemeyer, who is a bioinformatics scientist at Catalytic Data Science, and the first of our special alumni guests here on the podcast!He earned is Ph. D. from our program (the IDP in Genetics and Genomics) at Texas A&M in 2021. He worked in Dr. William Murphys lab and used a wide array of bioinformatic tools and procedures to try to improve genome assemblies for multiple cat species- including the domestic cat, Asian Leopard cat, Geoffroys cat, lion and tiger.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Murphy Lab: http://www.eutherialab.org/Catalytic Data Science: https://www.catalyticds.com/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots!In this episode, Josh and Aaron interview Dr. Rachel Whitaker, a microbiologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who works primarily on archaea.Dr. Whitaker has been a faculty member at UIUC since 2006 and has worked as both a researcher and lecturer. She is widely recognized for her teaching excellence and is active outside of research with several outreach programs, namely Project Microbe and the Cena y Ciencias program. She also co-directs the Microbial Diversity Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woodshole, MA. She frequently advocates for increasing visibility for women in science and was a contributing author to the compilation book titled “Women in Microbiology.” If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Whitaker Lab: https://publish.illinois.edu/whitakerlab/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu Project Microbe: https://publish.illinois.edu/projectmicrobe/Cena y Ciencias: https://publish.illinois.edu/cenayciencias/Microbial Diversity: https://www.mbl.edu/events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D159778979

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Serina and Madison host Apoorva Mandavilli, a reporter for the New York Times who covered much of their discussion on the coronavirus pandemic.Apoorva is a decorated journalist and freelance writer, winning the 2019 Victor Cohn Prize for Medical Science Reporting, and has work featured in popular news outlets like The Atlantic, Nature, The New Yorker online, and in the anthology ”Best American Science and Nature Writing.” In addition to her passion for medical science journalism, Apoorva strives to enhance diversity in science journalism through her co-founded organization Culture Dish and role as the founding chair of the Diversity Committee for the National Association of Science Writers.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or Apoorva’s various works, please visit the following websites:Apoorva Mandavilli: https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilliThe New York Times: https://www.nytimes.comGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Khushboo and Sarah host Dr. David Stelly, who works primarily on cotton and cytogenetics here at Texas A&M.However, his career didn’t always focus on cotton. Dr. Stelly has experience working with a plethora of crops and has trained countless scientists who have gone on to careers in both industry and academia. In this episode, we talk to him about how he came to A&M, some of the intricacies of the elusive field of cytogenetics, and about the students he has had the opportunity to work with and train during his nearly 40 years at A&M.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Stelly Lab: https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/people/stelly-david-m/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Khushboo and Sarah host two graduate students from our program, Autumn and Amanda, who rock the research world by day, and provide all the love and support for their families by night as mothers and wives.Amanda works in Dr. Sarah Bondos’s lab on protein biology and protein synthesis, and loves what she does, almost as much as she loves her husband and her two kids! Autumn recently joined Dr. Irtisha Singh’s lab and is working on developing models to understand cancer progression, and spends her evenings and weekends going on adventures with her husband and her son.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Singh Lab: https://medicine.tamu.edu/faculty/singh.html#education-and-focusBondos Lab: https://medicine.tamu.edu/faculty/bondos.htmlGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, distinguished redox- turned PTSD investigator Dr. Adam Case joins Anthony Matarazzo and Serina Taluja to talk about the emerging field of mental health research and its implications on graduate school. Dr. Case received his BS in Biochemistry and PhD in Free Radical and Radiology Biology from the University of Iowa. He recently joined Texas A&M in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences as well as the Medical Physiology Department where he seeks to understand how mental trauma negatively influences physiological diseases. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Adam Case: https://medicine.tamu.edu/faculty/adam-case.html Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Joe Romanowski and Madison Williamson host two of their fellow second-year Ph. D. students in the Genetics IDP- Lois Gordils Valentine and Osiris Lopez Garcia. Joe and Madison got to chat with Lois and Osiris about their experiences doing summer undergraduate research experiences and how those experiences prepared them for their graduate school career.Lois and Osiris both hail from the island of Puerto Rico. They both pursued science on the island in addition to the research programs that they participated in here in the US. Since joining the Genetics and Genomics Ph. D. program here, Osiris has joined the lab of Dr. Daniel Paredes-Sabja, and Lois joined Dr. Xuejun Zhu's lab.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the SURGe undergraduate research program, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu SURGe: https://genetics.tamu.edu/surge-application/

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Joe Romanowski and Lilia Sanchez host two women absolutely vital to the Genetics program- Tamara Ospina-Vega and Dr. Ximena Paez-Colasante. Without the two of them, the program could not be where it is today, and in this episode we chat with them about how they came to the Genetics program, what they’ve enjoyed most about their work, and advice for future applicants looking to apply to graduate school.Tamara Ospina-Vega has been with the program since 2017 and is the Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program Specialist, which means she’s involved in every aspect of the program to help keep it afloat. Dr. Ximena Paez-Colasante is the Associate Director at the Texas Institute for Genome Scientists and Society (TIGGS). She graduated from Texas A&M in 2014 with Ph.D in Neuroscience and later joined the Genetics and Genomics program as an administrative Post-doc until transitioning to TIGSS in 2021.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or Ximena’s new position at TIGSS, please visit the following websites:Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu TIGSS: https://genomics.tamu.edu/

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Lily Sanchez and Madison Williamson host their lab members- Dr. Weston Porter, Ramiah Vickers, Steven Wall, and Garhett Wyatt- to discuss their research, what led Dr. Porter to Texas A&M, and how their lab culture has changed over time.The Porter lab began its research journey here at Texas A&M in 2001. Dr. Porter's lab started out focusing on a specific gene (single-minded 2, or SIM2), and over the past 20 years has branched out to studying all sorts of components of breast cancer and mitochondrial dysfunction. They use a wide range of approaches to answer their questions not only about breast cancer, but also about normal mammary gland development.If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Porter Lab: https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n90e6f6c0/Persons/View%20AllGenetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Matt Jevit and Josh Meehan host Dr. Heath Blackmon to discuss his research, what led him to Texas A&M, and why he’s known around campus as “The Beetle Guy”.Dr. Blackmon received his BS in Environmental Science from Oregon State University and his Ph. D. in Quantitative Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington. In addition to his passion for beetles driving his research, Dr. Blackmon’s lab studies sex chromosome evolution as well as phylogenetic relationship building through genomics and bioinformatics. They use a wide range of approaches and organisms to answer their evolutionary inquires, but most frequently, beetles are their organism of choice!If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Blackmon Lab: http://coleoguy.github.io/Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu 

Welcome to Blue Genes and Boots everyone!In this episode, Anthony Matarazzo and Lilia Sanchez host fourth year PhD students Khushboo Rastogi and Aravindh Nagarajan to discuss their experiences as international students in the Texas A&M Genetics program.Khushboo received her B.S. from Tamil Agricultural University in India and her M.S. from Seoul National University in South Korea. She now studies rice genetic diversity and biofortification in Dr. Endang Septiningsih’s lab. Aravindh attended Anna University in India for his B.S. before coming to Texas A&M for his M.S. in Biotechnology. His current research in Dr. Helene Andrews-Polymenis’ lab investigates the genetic basis underlying differential outcomes to bacterial infections. Tune in to hear Khushboo and Aravindh’s take on culture shock, the Texas A&M experience, and challenges facing international students. They also share advice for other international students considering studying abroad. If you want to know more about the Genetics program at Texas A&M or the research discussed in this episode, please visit the following websites:Crop Genome Editing Lab: https://agrilife.org/cgel/ Andrews-Polymenis Lab: https://polymenis.wordpress.com/about/ Genetics IDP: https://genetics.tamu.edu Genetics Graduate Student Association: https://g2sa.tamu.edu