My current research explores the role of rural governance, place-based development, philanthropy, rural policy, community economic development, and rural immigration and mobility.
Research in my laboratory aims to identify and characterize new molecular factors and cellular mechanisms implicated in neuronal development and plasticity, which in turn will help reveal important new details about the pathophysiology of different brain disorders and identify potential targets for improved pharmacological treatments.
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer in dogs and people. My lab investigates the mechanisms that permit osteosarcoma cells to spread to new sites (metastasis) and survive exposure to chemotherapy (chemoresistance). Additionally, we are working on identifying biomarkers that can help predict outcomes and/or guide therapeutic decisions for patients with osteosarcoma.
In the context of global challenges, I work in the area on communication and information for agricultural innovation and community economic development. I lead the Regional and Rural Broadband (R2B2) project.
