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Abby B

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Stanford University

Expertise

developmental biology, genetics, cell biology, reproductive biology

Bio

Hi, I'm Abby! I'm a research scientist who's passionate about the placenta. My current work is looking at how the placenta develops and carries out a plethora of biological functions to ensure successful pregnancy for mother and fetus. My technical expertise is in developmental and cellular biology and genetics, but I also dabble with a little bit of computer programming when useful! When I'm not at the bench, I spend my time outdoors - running, hiking, swimming, playing tennis - playing with the local orchestra, cooking/baking, and ogling every adorable pup I can find.

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.

Did you say placenta... or polenta?

While many people are familiar with the miracle of pregnancy, most dramatically overlook the magic of the placenta (or confuse it with the completely unrelated, delectably creamy side dish polenta). Pick your favorite aspect of biology - immune tolerance, development, metabolism - and I guarantee we can uncover an interesting story of how the placenta does it different than any other organ.

Cancer or a kid?

While cancer survival rates are on the rise, maternal morbidity and mortality is too. Lean in to the scientific, societal, and economic reasons why pregnancy complications can be considered more lethal than cancer.

Coding skills

python

Teaching experience

I've been mentoring and teaching in a variety of contexts for the last 10 years or so! I've worked as a teaching assistant for genetics and genomics courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as informally mentoring new students at the lab bench. I've also taught private music lessons to students ages 9-17.

Credentials

Education

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)
BS Bachelor of Science (2019)
quantitative biology, music performance
Stanford University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Genetics

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