Samuel H
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at University of Washington
Expertise
Evolution, Zoology, Genetics, Genomics, Cancer, Computational Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Marine Biology, Microbiology
Bio
I am a scientist living in Seattle, WA interested in all things relating to animals and/or evolution! I recently finished my PhD at the University of Washington, where I studied the evolution of a contagious cancer in clams - a rare instance in which cancer cells transmit from clam to clam (the cancer is approximately 500 years old!). I do a mixture of computational research (working with genetic data on the computer) and lab-based research, with a trip out to the field to collect clams every once in a while when I am lucky. I got started in science researching the microbiology of udder infections in dairy cattle at the University of Vermont, and developed my interest in evolution while studying the evolution of cellular cooperation at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. I am also passionate about science education/communication, and would like to teach at a university later in my career. Outside of the lab you can find me outdoors and/or playing sports. I am a life-long Ultimate Frisbee player and even played semi-professionally for a couple years before starting graduate school. I enjoy biking around Seattle during the week and getting out to the mountains/ocean during the weekends to camp and explore. I take a jack-of-all-trades/master-of-none approach to outdoor sports, dabbling in surfing, mountain biking, climbing and skiing when opportunities arise.Project ideas
Why don't whales get cancer more often than humans?
Whales have MANY more cells than humans. If each cell has the potential to mutate into a cancerous cell, why don't whales get cancer 100x more often than humans? In this project, you will review the literature on cancer genetics and propose experiments to test various questions in cancer biology. (Image source: https://ergo-science.com/petos-paradox/)
How do SARS-Cov2 variants differ from each other genetically?
We keep hearing about new and more transmissible variants of the SARS-Cov2 virus, but how are these variants different from the old ones? In this project, you will research the genetics of SARS-Cov2 and other viruses, download publicly available genetic sequences, and use these sequences to explore the evolutionary relationships of SARS-Cov2 variants. Prior coding experience is optional for this project. (Image source: https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/2021/february/new-coronavirus-variants-spark-concerns)