I am a PhD student in Department of Entomology at the School of Integrative Biology. My area of interest lies largely in detoxification and social insects. Under the supervision of Dr. May Berenbaum, I currently study the esterase and GST detoxification system in the western honey bees, Apis mellifera. We hypothesize that the age-related division of labor in honey bee colonies affects each individual such that xenobiotics are processed differently depending on caste, age, and task. Also, we hypothesize that some of their behavior, such as food processing, may affect their detoxification ability in a colony level. I hope our study will further develop ways to improve the health of honey bee colonies, the beekeeping strategies and understanding the impacts of pesticide usage inside and outside of beehives.

I am a predoctoral fellow training with Dr. Flaws in the Department of Comparative Biosciences. My current research explores the relationship between altered estradiol levels and the risk of adverse reproductive function. Specifically, my research focuses on: 1) the association between altered estradiol levels, genetic variations, and menopausal hot flashes; 2) the association between estradiol levels, bisphenol A levels, and menopausal hot flashes; 3) the potential toxic effects of bisphenol A on cultured mouse ovarian antral follicles.  Folliculogenesis, the process of developing mature follicles for ovulation, occurs throughout the reproductive life of mammalian females. Under normal conditions, the ovarian follicles develop to the most mature form, the antral follicle.  Antral follicles are the only type of follicles capable of ovulating and they are the main source of sex steroid hormones such as estradiol.  Various factors can lead to altered estradiol levels, including genetic variation and exposure to environmental toxicants. Interestingly, lower estradiol levels have been linked with infertility and menopausal hot flashes. As a PhD student in Dr. Flaws’ lab in the Department of Comparative Biosciences, my research focuses on genetic variation in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway and exposure to bisphenol A as potential risk factors for disrupted reproductive function.  We hypothesize that selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway are associated with the risk of menopausal hot flashes via pathways that may involve changes in serum estradiol concentrations. Additionally, we hypothesize that estradiol and bisphenol A levels are associated with the risk of menopausal hot flashes. Lastly, because previous in-vitro studies with bisphenol A have shown that bisphenol A inhibits mouse antral follicle growth and steroidogenesis, the third part of my research involves attesting the hypothesis that bisphenol A works through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway to inhibit follicle growth and impair steroidogenesis.  Overall, my studies will allow us to increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which genetic variation and endocrine disruption adversely affect ovarian function and reproductive health.