The focus of her current work is on developing and implementing a field-deployable rapid species identification technique through the use of CRISPR-Cas13 machinery. Primarily, she is developing assays specific to the delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) and Wakasagi smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis).
She is also using CRISPR-based environmental DNA (eDNA) detection methods for smelt identification and to detect the presence of CRISPR-Cas13 assay inhibitors. She believes that developing an understanding of the importance of eDNA can be a very effective tool in conservation efforts. She works closely with project scientists, graduate students, and the lab technicians to achieve these goals.
Outside of work, she loves to spend her free time rock climbing indoors and outdoors, cycling, and skiing in the winter. She’s a mediocre cook and she loves her cat.