Kailey Said-Lathrum is a PhD candidate in Dr. McLendon's lab investigating how dysregulation of cytoskeletal adapter proteins is associated with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.  Her work is currently focused on characterizing the isoforms of Sorbs2, a cytoskeletal adapter protein with some isoforms regulating how vascular smooth muscle cells respond to mechanical stress and other isoforms mediating microtubule stability in neurons. Mouse models, tissue culture models, histology, and RNA-sequencing are all tools used to achieve the ultimate goal of understanding the role and regulation of Sorbs2 isoforms. 

 

Kailey graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Chemical Engineering and worked as a process development scientist in industry for a year before joining Dr. McLendon's lab. She's happy to broaden her knowledge base and expand her skillset in molecular biology! Outside of lab, Kailey enjoys running, taking care of her plants, and trying new baking recipes!