Parrish Lab Home

2008

McDaniel College

2 College Hill, Eaton Hall 212, Westminster, MD 21157

Molecular Biology/Biochemistry Projects:

My laboratory studies the biochemical properties of Nudix enzymes from a variety of viruses, such as poxviruses and the giant Mimivirus, and also the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. I am particularly interested in Nudix enzymes that function as mRNA decapping enzymes and their role in mRNA turnover during virus infection and Dictyostelium discodeum development.

Genomics Projects:

I am also a member of the Genomics Education Partnership, a program that allows undergraduate students to participate in the annotation of the genomes of several Drosophila species. This is an entirely computer-based research project that is more amenable to busy student schedules than the Molecular Biology laboratory projects.

Research Availability:

I enjoy doing research during the academic year and I generally accept ~2 research students per semester. I continue my virus research at NIH during the summer months.

Research Expectations:

I would prefer that students working on a Molecular Biology research project have at minimum ~ 3 afternoons (M-F: 1 pm - 5pm) to devote to their project. I also ask that students (with successful research projects) present a poster on their research at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at UMBC in October.

Mentoring Style:

I prefer to stay within my area of research interest (Nudix enzymes and Genomics) and take a very active role in my student’s research, including project design and experimental execution. If you prefer more freedom in your research, another lab might be a better fit.