I’m a: geneticist

My research: There are approximately 7,000 rare (or orphan) diseases known in humans, ~80% of which are monogenic. This number is growing weekly. By definition, a rare disease affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States (~1:1500). However, given the number of rare diseases that exist, about 10 percent of the population has a rare disease. Treatments for less than a 1,000 of these diseases currently exist.

We are using C. elegans as a tool to determine the genetic interactions of a given rare human disease gene ortholog. The factors identified in our genetic screens could then be examined in other model systems and human cells to determine whether such factors might be useful therapeutic targets.

What do you typically eat for breakfast? Leftovers from dinner the night before.

What is your favorite type of cuisine to cook? anything on the grill

What is your favorite snack or candy? Anything from Tastykake (I grew up in Philly). I also love Yodels. Licorice is my favorite candy.

What is your favorite spice? Anything hot and spicy.

What is one food you absolutely dislike? Macadamia and hazelnuts. Nutella.

My 4 dream scientist dinner companions:

Robert Koch
Michael Miller
Bino Palmer
Darwin

Andy’s Recipe