Education

Degree	Institution	Major
B.Sc.	University of Kent	Microbiology
Ph.D.	University College London	Botany and Microbiology

Post-Graduate Training

Training	Institution	Specialty
Postdoctoral	University College London	Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Awards

Name of Award/Honor	Awarding Organization
Investigator of the Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation 2001-2006	The Donaghue Foundation
Antarctic Service Medal	U.S. Department of Defense

Name & Description	Category	Role	Type	Scope	Start Year	End Year
Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Awards, London, UK	Study Section	Interview Panel Member	External	International	2012	2012
National Institutes of Health (ZRG IMST-G 40 study section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2012	2012
Gordon Conference on Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions, Ventura Beach, CA.	Other	Discussion Leader	External	National	2011	2011
Symposium on the “New Biology of Cilia”, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.	Other	Discussion Leader	External	National	2011	2011
2013 Gordon conference on Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions, at Il Ciocco, Barga, Italy.	Other	Corresponding Chair	External	International	2011	2013
Cytoskeleton	Editorial Board	Editorial Board Member	External	International	2010
Dyneins: Structure, Biology and Disease	Professional/Scientific Journal	Editor	External	National	2010	2011
Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee, School of Medicine	Education Committee	Secondary Member	UConn Health	University	2010	2013
Space Appeals Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	2010	2013
Course and Curriculum Evaluation Subcommittee, School of Medicine	Education Committee	Basic Science Member	UConn Health	University	2010	2011
Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program	Education Committee	Review Board Member	UConn Health	University	2010	2010
National Institutes of Health (ZRG1 CB-Q study section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2010	2010
National Institutes of Health (ZRG1 CB-P study section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2010	2010
Central Electron Microscope Facility	Professional/Scientific Organization	Director	UConn Health	University	2009
Special Review Board, School of Medicine	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2009	2011
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Program	Professional/Scientific Organization	Director	UConn Health	University	2009	2012
“Dynein as the Force Generator for Axonemal Beating” session. Dynein 2009. International Workshop on the Molecular Mechanisms of Axonemal and Cytoplasmic Dyneins. Kobe, Japan.	Other	Chair	External	International	2009	2009
2011 Gordon conference on Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions, Ventura, CA.	Other	Vice-chair	External	National	2009	2011
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Qasim Rasi, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	International	2009	2009
Methods in Cell Biology (Vol. 91. Cilia: Structure and Motility, Vol. 92. Cilia: Motors and Regulation, Vol. 93. Cilia: Model Systems and Intraflagellar Transport.)	Professional/Scientific Journal	Editor (with G.J. Pazour),	External	National	2008	2009
Committee on Cell Biology, Human Systems, School of Medicine	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2008	2008
National Science Foundation	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2008	2008
French National Research Agency (ANR)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	International	2008	2010
Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee, School of Medicine.	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2007	2010
NMR Faculty Seach Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	2007	2008
“High Resolution Structure and Biochemistry of the Flagellum”, FASEB meeting on the Biology of Cilia and Flagella, Saxton’s River, VT.	Other	Session Chair	External	National	2007	2007
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Yuqing Hou, Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	Regional	2007	2007
Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee, School of Medicine.	Education Committee	Secondary Reviewer	UConn Health	University	2006	2006
Education Committee, UCONN Partnership for Excellence in Structural Biology	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2006
Biophysics Core Oversight Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2006
Biophysics Core Oversight Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2006
Protein Folding Faculty Seach Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	2006	2006
MMSB Departmental Executive Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2006
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Vicki Kassouf, Westmead Institute, University of Sydney, Australia.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	International	2006	2006
French National Research Agency (ANR)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	International	2006	2006
French Institute for Research on Rare Diseases (GIS-Institut des Maladies Rares)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2006	2006
National Science Foundation (Antarctic Biology)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2006	2006
Health Center Research Advisory Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2005	2011
National Institutes of Health (Nuclear Dynamics and Transport Study Section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2005	2008
National Institutes of Health “Nuclear Dynamics and Transport” Study Section	Study Section	Charter Member	External	National	2004	2008
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Program	Education Committee	Associate Director	UConn Health	University	2004	2009
Electron Microscope Facility Advisory Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2004
MMSB departmental retreat held on March 15th 2004	Advisory Committee	Organizer	UConn Health	University	2004	2004
Graduate School and MBB program Admissions Committees	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2004
“Solution NMR”, New England Structure Symposium, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT	Other	Session Chair	External	Regional	2004	2004
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Maureen Blomberg-Wirchell, Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	Regional	2004	2004
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Mark Douglas, Westmead Institute, University of Sydney, Australia.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	International	2004	2004
National Institutes of Health (CDF-4 Study Section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2004	2004
Independent Research Group Proposal, Direction de l'Evaluation Scientifique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	International	2004	2004
Northwest Health Foundation	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2004	2004
Scientific Advisory Board, Solazyme Corporation, Palo Alto, CA	Advisory Committee	Member	External	National	2003	2003
NMR Spectroscopist Faculty Seach Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	2003	2003
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Diane Casey, Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	Regional	2003	2003
ZAR-1 IRG, NIAMSD, National Institutes of Health	Study Section	Ad hoc member	External	National	2003	2003
National Institutes of Health (NIAMSD, ZAR-1 Review Committee)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2003	2003
CDF-4 study section, NIH (October)	Research Committee	Ad hoc member	External	National	2002	2002
CDF-4 study section, NIH (October)	Study Section	Ad hoc member	External	National	2002	2002
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	International	2002	2004
CDF-4 study section, NIH (October)	Study Section	Ad hoc member	External	National	2001	2001
GMBB Training Grant Application Committee	Education Committee	Chair	UConn Health	University	2001	2001
Committee to revise Biochemistry I course	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2001	2001
Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton	Editorial Board	Member	External	National	2000	2009
Subcommittee on Cell Biology, Human Systems, School of Medicine.	Education Committee	Chair	UConn Health	University	2000	2000
CDF-4 study section, NIH (February & October)	Study Section	Ad hoc member	External	National	2000	2000
Graduate Programs Committee.	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2000	2002
Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Program	Education Committee	Director	UConn Health	University	2000	2002
Strategic Planning Committee for the Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Science	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2000	2000
“Flagellar Biogenesis, Length Control and Mode of Action” Session, International Conference on the Cell and Molecular Biology of Chlamydomonas, Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands	Other	Co-convener	External	International	2000	2000
National Institutes of Health (CDF-4 Study Section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	2000	2002
Review Board, Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Program	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1999	1999
National Science Foundation (Molecular and Cellular Biology)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1999	1999
Methods (a companion volume to Methods in Enzymology)	Professional/Scientific Journal	Editor	External	National	1998	2000
Cell Structural Dynamics Faculty Search Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1998	1998
Neuroscience Chair Search Committee, School of Medicine.	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1998	1999
Vascular Biology Faculty Search Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1998	1999
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Program	Education Committee	Associate Director	UConn Health	University	1998	2000
“Dynein Structure and Regulation” Session, International Conference on the Cell and Molecular Biology of Chlamydomonas, Tahoe City, CA.	Other	Chair	External	International	1998	1998
HCRAC Equipment Grant Review Committee Member	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1997	1998
Summer Internship Applications Committee, Grad. Student Affairs.	Education Committee	Chair	UConn Health	University	1997	1998
Search Committee for Director of Vascular Biology Center, School of Medicine	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1997	1998
Human Systems Implementation Committee, School of Medicine.	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1997	2003
GRB-5 Special Emphasis Panel, National Institutes of Health	Study Section	Ad hoc member	External	National	1997	1997
Health Center Research Advisory Council, University of Connecticut Health Center	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	UConn Health	University	1997	2001
National Science Foundation (Developmental Neuroscience)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1997	1997
National Institutes of Health (NIDDK, GRB-5 Review Committee)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1997	1997
The Jeffress Memorial Trust, Commonwealth of Virginia	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1997	1997
Biology-2 Study Section, National Institutes of Health	Study Section	Member	External	National	1996	1996
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Angela Ramsey, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA.	Education Committee	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	Regional	1996	2000
External Ph.D thesis examiner. Charlotte Vines, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.	Editorial Board	External Ph.D Thesis Examiner	External	Regional	1996	1996
National Science Foundation (International Program)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1996	1996
National Institutes of Health (Biology-2 Study Section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1996	1996
Summer Internship Applications Committee, Graduate Student Affairs	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1995	1995
Committee on Undergraduate Dental Education, Dental Medicine Council	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1995	1997
Biomaterials Center Faculty Search Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1995	1996
Admissions Committee, Genetics, Mol. Biol. & Biochem. Graduate Program	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1995	2002
Summer Internship Applications Committee, Graduate Student Affairs	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1994	1994
School of Medicine Council	Education Committee	At-Large Representative	UConn Health	University	1994	1997
School of Dental Medicine Council	Education Committee	At-Large Representative	UConn Health	University	1994	1997
Biochemistry Department Faculty Search Committee	Other	Member	UConn Health	University	1994	1995
Curriculum Committee, Genetics, Mol. Biol. & Biochem. Graduate Program	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	1994
Department of Biochemistry Seminar Series	Education Committee	Organizer	UConn Health	University	1994	1995
National Science Foundation (Structural Basis of Cellular Organization)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	UConn Health	University	1994	1996
National Institutes of Health (Reproductive Biology Section)	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1994	1994
Health Center Research Advisory Council, University of Connecticut Health Center	Study Section	Grant Reviewer	External	National	1994	1995
American Society for Cell Biology	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	External	National
Research Council	Research Committee	Chair	UConn Health	University		2019
Academic Press	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
American Journal of Pathology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Archives of Biophysics and Biochemistry	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Biochimica Biophysica Acta	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Cytoskeleton	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Development	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Developmental Biology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
European Journal of Biochemistry	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	International
Human Molecular Genetics	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Journal of Biological Chemistry	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Journal of Cell Biology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Journal of Cell Science	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Molecular Biology of the Cell	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Molecular Cell Biology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Molecular Microbiology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Nature Structural and Molecular Biology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Plant and Cell Physiology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Plant Cell	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Protein Science	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Protein Science	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National

Dyneins are microtubule-based molecular motors that power both ciliary/flagellar motility and a variety of essential intracellular motile events. In order for these massive enzymes to function correctly, they must be attached to the appropriate cargo and motor activity must be precisely regulated. Over the last few years we have identified a series of highly intriguing dynein components that appear to be involved in these regulatory activities. Current focus in the laboratory is on understanding the mechanisms which control motor function using a wide variety of techniques ranging from physiological measurements and genetic analyses to structural biology.

Not Accepting Lab Rotation Students at this time

Lab Rotation Projects

The Role of WDR92 in Cytoplasmic Preassembly of Axonemal Dyneins

Cilia are required for organismal development and homeostasis.  The motility of these organelles is generated by dynein molecular motors.  These massive complexes are preassembled in the cytoplasm and over the last several years, multiple factors have been identified as being needed for this process.  Recently, we identified a component of a prefoldin-like co-chaperone complex as being required for the coordinate assembly of multiple ciliary components.  Furthermore, we have now obtained a Chlamydomonas null mutant which is able only to build very short (~0.5 micron) cilia.  This project will involve using biochemical, genetic and cell biological approaches to determine how WDR92 is specifically involved in building motile ciliary axonemes.

Curvature Sensing by Axonemal Dyneins

Axonemal dyneins must sense and respond to the curvature that they experience in order for regions of active microtubule sliding to oscillate across the structure and to propagate a wave of motor activity along the organelle generating a ciliary beat; both activities must occur at a rate consistent with the beat frequency (~60 Hz in Chlamydomonas).  For outer arm dyneins, we hypothesized that this mechano-switching involves a highly conserved leucine-rich repeat protein (LC1) that interacts directly with both MTs and the MT-binding domain of the outer arm g HC.  This project will utilize a newly available null mutant to rigorously test this concept by expressing mutant LC1 variants designed based on our previous biochemical and structural studies.  I anticipate that this will provide novel mechanistic insight into this fundamental feature of ciliary motility.

Peptide Amidation and the Control of Ciliogenesis (King and Eipper Laboratories)

Cilia are essential signaling and motile organelles that play key roles in development and homeostasis.  Defects in these microtubule-based structures lead to a broad array of phenotypes (including infertility, obesity, neurological disorders, polycystic kidneys, retinal degeneration, skeletal abnormalities and many others) collectively known as ciliopathies.  The enzyme peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monoxygenase (PAM) converts glycine-extended peptides into bioactive amidated products (e.g. oxytocin and vasopressin).  Although originally thought to have co-evolved with the nervous system, we recently found that PAM has deeper evolutionary roots and has been conserved in all organisms (even unicellular ones) that build sensory cilia.  Furthermore, using amiRNA knockdown strains of the green alga Chlamydomonas (the premier model system for analysis of cilia assembly and motility) we have now demonstrated that active PAM is not only present in cilia, but is actually essential for ciliogenesis, potentially through its effects on post-Golgi trafficking.  This project will focus on using biochemical, cell biological and molecular genetic approaches to further elucidate the mechanism(s) by which PAM activity impacts on cilia assembly and function. 

 

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