RNA Faculty Spotlight – Monica Dus, MCDB

Monica Dus, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

The Dus lab is interested in understanding how the environment reshapes brain and behavior. To this end we are studying how diet changes the physiology of the brain by altering metabolic-epigenetic pathways at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and how this, in turn, affects behavior.
Visit Lab Website
Follow on Twitter: @Hardkandy000

 

 

  • What are your research interests? Understanding how non-genetic modes of information such as RNA & chromatin modifications and metabolites modulate the behavioral spectrum of organisms. 

 

  • Who/what brought you to science? The unbound beauty of the natural world.

 

  • What advice would you give to students who’d like to get more involved in research? Science is for everyone, and don’t be afraid to bring your own loves and idiosyncrasies to it.

 

  • Are there any opportunities for students to engage in your projects, currently or in the future? Yes, please contact us !

 

  • What skills would they need, and what could they expect to learn? We are a neuroepigenetics lab, so we combine the tools of molecular biology and genomics with those of circuit and behavioral neuroscience.

 

  • What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Philosopher, fashion designer, dog trainer.

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