معرفی
Jessica Sawyer is an Assistant Research Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University since 2018, affiliated with the Basic Science Departments. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2010. Her research focuses on organ boundary communication, non-stem-cell repair mechanisms, and Drosophila models of tissue regeneration and cell cycle regulation. She directs undergraduate summer research programs (AMGEN and SURPH) and serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Pharmacology.
Education
- Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2010)
Research Interests: Dr. Sawyer’s work explores how tissues coordinate regeneration and repair through mechanisms like rare codon regulation in mRNA expression, interorgan boundary signaling, and cell cycle dynamics. Her studies use Drosophila as a model organism to investigate processes such as neuronal differentiation, hindgut regeneration, and stem cell proliferation control.
Recent Publications Trends: Her articles highlight advancements in understanding codon usage effects on protein expression, mechanical feedback in cell migration, and interorgan signaling during tissue repair. Key themes include genetic modifiers of signaling pathways, cell cycle regulation under developmental constraints, and molecular mechanisms governing organ boundary zones.
Grants & Awards
- Principal Investigator: ASPET SURF Institutional Award (2018–2028)
- Co-Investigator: Amgen Scholars Program at Duke (2025–2027, 2023–2025)
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant on polyploidy after tissue injury (2016–2025)
Teaching & Mentorship: Teaches courses including Regenerative Biology, Pharmacology, and Drug Development. Supervises research independent studies and mentors through undergraduate programs.
Labs & Teams: Conducts research in the Fox Lab, focusing on regenerative biology and molecular mechanisms of repair.
