Current research of the O'Brien laboratory focuses on the impact of adolescent pregnancy, particularly among minority populations, on maternal and fetal bone health, risk of anemia, vitamin D insufficiency and risk of infections, birth outcomes and nutritional status in women carrying multiples. Partitioning of nutrients between the mother and fetus is addressed at the cellular level by assessing placental mineral transporters in relation to maternal and neonatal status.—————————————I was a postdoctoral fellow on an NIH Reproductive Sciences and Genomics Training Grant funded through the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University. As a postdoc in the O'Brien lab, my role and responsibilities were to: 1) Lead molecular studies evaluating mineral transporter expression in human placental tissue 2) Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in the use of molecular laboratory techniques3) Direct undergraduate honors thesis projects4) Present data at university meetings and national conferences, and 5) Prepare grant proposals and manuscripts for publication.✓ During my fellowship, I was the first author of a manuscript recently published in the highest-ranked nutrition journal (AJCN) and was either first author or co-first author on 3 abstracts at the 2015 Experimental Biology Conference.

"The University of Connecticut is one of the top public research universities in the nation, with more than 30,000 students pursuing answers to critical questions in labs, lecture halls, and the community. Knowledge exploration throughout the University’s network of campuses is united by a culture of innovation. An unprecedented commitment from the state of Connecticut ensures UConn attracts internationally renowned faculty and the world’s brightest students. A tradition of coaching winning athletes makes UConn a standout in Division l sports and fuels our academic spirit. As a vibrant, progressive leader, UConn fosters a diverse and dynamic culture that meets the challenges of a changing global society."————————————————During graduate school I worked as a graduate research assistant for the Insogna-Kerstetter research team. Research interests of the Insogna-Kerstetter group focus on the role of dietary protein in regulating mineral homeostasis and the mechanisms by which amino acids regulate paracellular calcium transport and iron metabolism.As a graduate research assistant I was responsible for: 1) Conducting in vivo and in vitro bench research studies2) Mentoring and training fellow graduate students in the use of molecular biology techniques3) Preparing grant proposals and manuscripts for publication4) Guest lecturing at UCONN, and 5) Presenting my research at UCONN, Yale, and at national conferences.✓ My research accomplishments included obtaining an oral and poster presentation at the 2010 Experimental Biology Conference, a first author publication in the Faseb Journal, and $100,000 in grant funding.