Hannah

Visiting Graduate Student, Fejes Tóth Lab (Cornell University); PhD Student, California Institute of Technology

I’m broadly interested in the highly conserved systems of genome defense that safeguard the extraordinarily diverse genomes of insects. My research focuses on the piRNA pathway including its role in protecting the genome from selfish genetic elements, and uncovering how it has been adapted and co-opted over more than 400 million years of insect evolution. My studies involve using comparative molecular and bioinformatic approaches in both model and non-model species—including flies, beetles, and butterflies! Outside the lab, I can usually be found tromping around in the woods, reading, running, gaming, or hanging out with my (very opinionated) cat.