Theresa C
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at University of Washington
Expertise
Molecular and cellular biology, bioengineering, genetics, stem cells, retina, neuroscience, organoids, CRISPR, gene editing
Bio
Hi there! I'm a PhD candidate in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Washington, where I work in the Cherry Lab at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. My research focuses on using single-cell technologies and retinal organoids to uncover how disease-associated enhancers influence retinal development and disease. Before coming to UW, I earned my BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where I helped develop small-diameter vascular grafts for treating coronary artery disease. I also spent three years at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard developing high-throughput pooled assays for functionally screening genetically diverse neuronal populations. I'm deeply committed to community outreach and advancing diversity in STEM and healthcare. I’m also passionate about venture capital investing, technology commercialization, and business development. When I'm not in the lab, you'll probably find me tidepooling, backpacking, playing tennis, sailing, or enjoying live music.Project ideas
Seeing the Signals: How Genes Guide Retinal Development
In this project, you’ll explore the fascinating process of retinal development—how retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) give rise to the specialized cells of the retina that allow us to detect light and color. You'll focus on the genetic and molecular signals that guide RPCs as they differentiate into key cell types like photoreceptors, retinal ganglion cells, and bipolar neurons. You'll dive into topics like: -The developmental timeline of retinal progenitor cells -Gene regulatory networks that control cell fate -Genetic mutations that can disrupt normal development and cause retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration Your final product could be a review paper, visual infographic, or presentation for a science fair. Along the way, you’ll build skills in interpreting scientific literature, explaining biological concepts, and understanding how developmental biology connects to human health.
CRISPR & Stem Cells: Unlocking the Future of Genetic Medicine
In this project, you’ll write a scientific review paper exploring how CRISPR gene editing is transforming stem cell research. You’ll dive into how scientists use CRISPR tools to modify stem cells for understanding diseases, testing treatments, and even developing regenerative therapies. You'll learn how CRISPR works, what makes stem cells special, and why these technologies together are reshaping the future of medicine. Through this project, you’ll read scientific papers, analyze recent research breakthroughs, and write a review that summarizes key findings in a clear, organized way. Your paper could be submitted to a high school science journal or serve as the foundation for a future research proposal or college application. You’ll gain valuable experience in: -Literature review and scientific writing -Understanding CRISPR-Cas9 systems -Stem cell biology and therapeutic applications -Ethical and societal implications of gene editing