Lauren Richard

Department: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Year Entered: 2008
Prior Degrees: BS, College of William and Mary, 2008

My research interests are mainly in cancer, more specifically the epigenetic changes that occur in the progression from normal cells to cancer. I joined the program because I am interested in the more translational side of research, rather than the extremely basic. I enjoy working on problems that can relate to human disease, and the molecular medicine program gives me access to scientists with some clinical focus.
Through the molecular medicine training program I was given the opportunity to participate in a clinical genetics rotation. This rotation allowed me to sit in on several different genetics clinics and to see patients who had genetic diseases. Seeing people who could actually benefit from scientific advances gives additional purpose and focus to my research, and I found this to be an invaluable experience.