Matthew J
- Research Program Mentor

MA/PHD at Columbia University

Expertise

Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomic Instability, Biochemistry

Bio

Hello! I am a Ph.D. researcher specializing in gene editing and molecular biology. As an undergraduate Biochemistry major at Tufts University, I studied genomic instability for my senior thesis in Catherine Freudenreich's lab. That experience investigating genome integrity inspired me to pursue further research in the field. During my Ph.D. training in Lorraine Symington's lab at Columbia, I focused on DNA damage repair in CRISPR-Cas9 systems. Broadly, my research interests center on genetics and gene editing technology. Beyond the lab, I studied Mandarin Chinese as an undergraduate, which culminated in a semester abroad in Beijing. I am also a violinist and have enjoyed playing in various school and community orchestras. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, biking, and generally spending time outdoors.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Gene Editing to Treat Disease

Gene editing represents a definitive shift from managing illness to curing it. For generations, genetic diseases have been life sentences, with treatments focusing merely on alleviating symptoms. Technologies like CRISPR offer a revolutionary alternative: addressing the root cause by precisely correcting the DNA errors responsible for conditions like sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis. By unlocking the ability to rewrite the code of life, we have the scientific power to eradicate hereditary suffering and redefine the future of human health. In this project, a student will identify a genetic disease that interests them, and propose a gene editing strategy to treat, or cure this disease.

Mutations: Friend or Foe?

Mutations tend to get a bad rap. From their ability to cause cancer, to their tendency to make viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 more virulent, it’s safe to say that mutations aren’t always great. But are all mutations harmful? In this project, a student will explore the evolutionary importance mutations and study mutations that can be beneficial to humans. A classic example of a beneficial mutation is seen in carriers of Sickle Cell disease who also have malaria resistance.

Teaching experience

As an undergraduate at Tufts, I was a lab teaching assistant for a chemistry course for three semesters. I led a group of 10-12 students in weekly experiments, answered questions, and graded assignments. I loved the hands-on one on one relationships I got to build with my students.During my second year in the PhD program at Columbia University, I was an in class teaching assistant for a biochemistry class and a genetics class. I assisted in making and grading exams, and help office hours and recitations for students to ask me questions directly. I definitely found holding office hours to be the most rewarding part of this work.At this educational platform, I have now mentored several students, and am looking forward to meeting many more curious and enthusiastic young researchers!