Ahna Skop

Hometown: New Haven, Connecticut

@foodskop

I’m a: biologist

My research: My lab works on how cells divide. We particularly study a structure that forms at the end of cytokinesis called the midbody, which resides inside the intercellular bridge between newly forming daughter cells. It was long thought that the midbody was the "garbage can of the cell". However, emerging data suggest that midbody remnants play instructive post-mitotic roles in establishing cell fate. My lab has uncovered a surprising function for the midbody in that it is a novel RNA containing structure which behaves as a form of intercellular communication. Our goal is to define distinct therapeutic targets for midbody-mediated human diseases that range from cancer to neurodegeneration.

What do you typically eat for breakfast? coffee & on special occassions, a lox bagel with capers, onions, and tomatoes

What is your favorite snack or candy? pickles, green olives, and chocolate salted caramels

What is your favorite spice? salt, rosemary, and 5 spice

What is one food you absolutely dislike? natto

What is one of your favorite dishes? Vietnamese pulled pork. I think that the complex flavors of lemongrass, Chinese 5 spice, burnt caramel sauce, garlic and peppers is like an explosion of joy when you take the first bite! It's not your average pulled pork recipe. It's so much more and just as easy!

My 4 dream scientist dinner companions:

Barbara McClintock
Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Shirley Malcom
Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado