Bart Phillips
Year started program: 2005
Program name: Biochemistry And Molecular Genetics
2001 - B.S., Missouri Western State University

Nearing the end of my time in college, I knew that I wanted to jump directly into graduate school, but the hard part was finding the best fit. The University of Pittsburgh kept coming up in my searches for schools with good funding, strong publications and strengths in multiple areas of research. However, one factor that really stood out for me was my interaction with the people in the Interdisciplinary Program. The faculty, support staff and students alike impressed me, then and now, as uniquely collegial and instructive. The people and the way they interact, mentor and collaborate are the greatest strength of the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program.

I am now in my fourth year in the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Program and work with Dr. Kyle Orwig. The focus of the lab is the investigating the biological characteristics and regenerative potential of Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs). These cells are the foundation of male fertility, and yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms driving their self-renewal and differentiation. We hypothesize that RNA regulation, in such activities as alternative splicing and mRNA storage, are highly active regulatory mechanisms in SSCs and as a result may help drive their unique function.

Orwig KE, Ryu BY, Master SR, Phillips BT, Mack M, Avarbock MR, Chodosh L, Brinster RL. Genes involved in post-transcriptional regulation are overrepresented in stem/progenitor spermatogonia of cryptorchid mouse testes. Stem Cells, 2008: 26(4):927-938.

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