Kelly Dew-Budd - Ph.D. Candidate

B.S. Zoology, North Carolina State University, 2010.
M.S. Biology, University of Alabama, 2014.
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My introduction to research was at North Carolina State University in Dr. Greg Gibson’s lab. There I studied the effect of various diets on multiple genotypes of Drosophila melanogaster. I continued this research at the University of Alabama in Dr. Laura Reed’s lab. My Master’s research involved the transgenerational genotype-by-diet effect on metabolic phenotypes in Drosophila. As well, I worked on elucidating the causative locus of quantitative trait loci associated with triglyceride levels through gene expression and mutant characterization of candidate genes.

​In Dr. Beilstein’s lab, my focus is on the previously identified Arabidopsis thaliana telomerase RNA, AtTER1. Although AtTER1 is believed to be the canonical telomerase RNA in Arabidopsis, TER1 knock-down mutants have shown varying effects on telomere length. For confirmation of AtTER1’s role in maintaining telomere length, I am using CRISPR-Cas9 to alter the template domain, which will preclude its use in extension of telomeres. Through molecular characterization of the phenotype, we will definitively determine the role of AtTER1 in relation to telomere maintenance.

Outside of lab, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Ben, rescued greyhounds, Diesel and Cleo, as well as our 3 cats, Genghis, Thor, and Annie.

Kelly Dew-Budd on Google Scholar