About

I’m a long-time faculty member at Gallaudet University with a background in computer science and genetics. I earned a B.A. in computer science with a minor in mathematics and a Ph.D. in genetics. As one of the very few Deaf geneticists in the world, I’ve been featured in “Scientists with disabilities: Access in all areas” in Nature, “Science in Sign Language” in ASBMB Today, and in All in the Mind, a radio program of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. I also presented at TEDxMidAtlantic 2013, where I discussed the historical emergence of connexin 26 deafness and made a call for tolerance of diversity, a topic that has received renewed attention with the development of gene therapy.

My research has included molecular genetics, population genetics, and pharmacology. During my postdoctoral work in cancer pharmacology, I developed a high-throughput in vivo screening tool that received a provisional patent. I have also spent much of my career mentoring Deaf students in authentic laboratory research. More recently, I’ve explored a mathematical project involving series expansions and fractional calculus.

At Gallaudet, I’ve taken on leadership roles in faculty governance. I currently serve as founding president of the re-established Gallaudet chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), helping rebuild an organized faculty voice and strengthen faculty participation in university governance.

Outside the university, I’m a serious rock climber and an AMGA-certified climbing instructor. I guide climbing, organize events for the Deaf climbing community through Climb Deaf DC, and the Kissfist Climbing Festival, and spend a lot of my free time traveling to climb, hike, camp, and snowboard.