RACHEL WILSON

PhD Candidate – Started 2014
Hometown: Aurora, CO

Advisor/Lab: Christopher Bradfield

Research Interests: Mechanisms of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated protection in colon tumorogenesis

Undergraduate

University of Colorado, Boulder (2011-2014)
Bachelors of Arts in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (2014)

Interests/Hobbies

I enjoy running, playing frisbee and basketball, and hanging out with my dog. I am an avid New York Giants fan, but I also enjoy watching Colorado buffaloes and Wisconsin badger sports.

Why I Joined METC

The tox program offers a wide range of faculty members that span across campus and are members of many different departments. This was perfect for me because I was not entirely sure what I wanted to study and tox offered the flexibility that allowed me to explore a bunch of different areas during my rotations. I also liked the combination of environmental toxicology and molecular toxicology. It allowed me to improve upon my background in molecular biology while opening me up to an entirely new area.

Research

Our lab is interested in understand the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in colon tumorogenesis and intestinal biology. We are particularly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that yield AhR-mediated protection against colon tumorogenesis that results from AhR activation by chemopreventatives such as indole-3-carbinol. Specifically, we want to understand how AhR activation results in a protective effect and if these effects are a result of canonical or noncanonical AhR signaling.

Presentations

Wilson, R. H., Doles, J. D., Olwin, B. B. (2014). Investigation the Relationship Between the Molecular Clock and Satellite Cell Fate. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Howard Hughes Medical Institute Poster Presentations, April 24, 2014, Boulder, CO, USA.

In The News

Announced as one of the winners of 4th annual WARF Discovery Challenge Awards – Read More