Researchers in the Spotlight
Erin Strome: 2015 NIH Grant Recipient
(2015) Dr. Strome was awarded a 3-year, $326,959 NIH grant for her project titled “Investigation of Candidate Modifier Loci for Cancer Susceptibility.” As the field of cancer genetics has progressed, the focus of research has shifted from identifying highly penetrant rare mutations that convey high cancer risks to identifying mutations and/or polymorphisms that convey lower (albeit significant) cancer risks. Using the yeast model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Dr. Strome's research group has identified a group of candidate genes, whose heterozygous mutation, results in chromosome loss events. The aim is to identify the molecular pathways by which mutations in these novel loci result in the cancer-associated phenotype of aneuploidy.
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Dr. Strome's teaching portfolio includes courses in genetics, microbiology, and advanced cell biology. She mentors a large cohort of undergraduate students who are interested in conducting research in the areas of chromosomal dynamics, genome stability and cancer.
RESEARCH INTERESTS Erin Strome's research interests address questions about genome instability and inherited forms of cancers. Through her studies she aims to identify gene mutations that lead to increased risk of developing cancer. The long-term goal is to incorporate these findings into development of better diagnostics and preemptive treatments for those at risk. Her recent published work has focused on issues of genome stability, or the cell’s ability to keep its DNA content intact from generation to generation.
Dr. Erin Strome
Assistant ProfessorNorthern Kentucky University
Assistant ProfessorNorthern Kentucky University