Research: 

My research focuses on the developmental origin of the neural crest in the early zebrafish embryo. I am investigating the spatial position of neural crest progenitors and origin of cell types in the posterior body during gastrulation. My work integrates traditional embryological techniques with advanced confocal imaging approaches to explore specification of a unique cell type in the context of morphogenesis and signaling environments.

Training:

Ph.D. Candidate
Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago

M.S. Developmental Biology, University of Chicago

B.A. Environmental Studies – Biology, Reed College
Thesis Advisor: Kara Cerveny

Lab Super Powers: Cell transplants, photoconvertions, and dechorionating at lightspeed!

 When I’m not in lab:

I might be teaching! I am the Lead Graduate Fellow at the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning and have been involved with the Graduate Fellows program since Fall 2021. As part of this role, I design and facilitate workshops that prepare graduate students for a variety of teaching roles and the academic job market. I am passionate about providing pedagogical training to STEM graduate students that improves teaching and learning at the University. I have been a teaching assistant for Biological Systems, Developmental Biology (lecture and lab), UC-Embryology at MBL, and the Biological Sciences TA training course. In 2023, I received the Wayne C. Booth Prize for Excellence in Teaching for my teaching in the College.

In my free time, I like to take care of my garden, drink oat milk lattes, hike and camp at Indiana Dunes, and play with my pointy eared dog Puddles. 

Contact:

Email: eek@uchicago.edu