Mathew J. Thayer

Dr. Mathew J. Thayer is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern California, specializing in chromosome dynamics and epigenetic regulation. His research focuses on replication timing control, non-coding RNA interactions, and genomic stability mechanisms.

• California State University, Chico (BA: Microbiology & Chemistry, 1982)
• University of Southern California (PhD: Microbiology, 1988; Advisor: Dr. R.E.K. Fournier)

Dr. Thayer's work has pioneered understanding of cis-acting elements that regulate DNA replication timing and chromosomal stability. He discovered ASAR lncRNA genes controlling replication patterns and identified chromosome-wide instability mechanisms linked to cancer.

His recent publications demonstrate how heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins interact with ASAR RNAs to orchestrate replication timing, with implications for epigenetic inheritance and cancer genome evolution. Collaborations span cancer biology, developmental genetics, and chromatin research fields.

Scientific recognition includes:

• John A. Resko Faculty Research Achievement and Mentoring Award (2017)

Dr. Thayer has contributed to training students through publications and collaborative research, with ongoing work exploring RNA-based chromatin regulation and its role in disease states.