Patricia Garay

B.A. in Chemistry, Kalamazoo College, 2011

Admission year: 2014

Advisor: Shigeki Iwase

Current project: Using techniques in functional genomics, biochemistry, and cellular and molecular biology, I examine the role of a putative histone-binding protein, RAI1, in neuronal activity-dependent transcription and homeostatic plasticity. 

Other interests: Chromatin biochemistry, how information is stored in cells and cellular networks,  new technologies in genetics and functional genomics, statistics, modeling, evolutionary biology. 

Teaching experience: Graduate Student Instructor for MCDB 310: Intro to Biochemistry (2016); Mentor to two (excellent) undergraduate researchers (2015-present)

Honors, grants & awards: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2016-present); Rackham Conference Travel Grants (2015, 2016); Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant (2015)

Service & leadership: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County; Good Neighbor Project of Ypsilanti co-mentor; Family Learning Institute math tutor; MISci Writers editor

Career Goals: To be a Valuable Contributor to humankind's understanding of life on Earth