PhD candidate, MCDB • 2021 - present
B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Western Washington University (Pollard Lab)
Non canonical roles of RNA in transcription
I am studying the role of the estrogen receptor (ER) binding RNA via it’s DNA binding domain. The ER is transcription factor (TF), a key regulator of human development, an important breast cancer target, and has only recently been discovered to interact with RNAs, including enhancer RNAs. I plan to parse out the mechanism of this competitive binding interface and its role in gene regulation, and to study the generality of this phenomenon in other TFs.
Other interests: Outside of lab, Halley enjoys eating pickles, skiing, mountain biking, and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.