Research

Alison Adams, NAU

Adams' Research and Teaching Statement:

My research centers round using yeast to study underlying genetic mechanisms in cancer. in our laboratory, we are interested in learning how chromosomes are normally stabilized. It is known that cancer cells have an abnormally high frequency of genomic instability, resulting in chromosome breakages and rearrangements that lead to altered cells normally protect their genomes from instability. To investigate these questions, we are currently using the extremely powerful genetics possible with yeast to identify genes whose products are required to stabilize chromosomes. In the future, we hope to determine whether similar genes are also required to stabilize human genomes, and whether defects in such genes are associated with cancer. Current student projects in my laboratory include identifying mutants of yeast that show increased levels of chromosome instability, and identifying genes that, when over-expressed, cause defects in chromosome stability.

The philosophy that guides my teaching in the research environment is that students learn best by working on projects that are relevant to their interests. I also believe the lab environment is extremely valuable to students as a mentoring environment i.e., in which students can get to know and receive support from faculty members and other students. Working in a research lab as undergraduates help students move to the next stage of their careers - whether that is medical school, graduate school, a research of teaching position etc. I encourage students to come talk to me if they are interested in working in my lab - just stop by, send me an email, or give me a call!