Awarded in 2008
Home Department: Genetics, MSTP
Faculty Advisor: Matthew Scott (Developmental Biology)

Research Description: Tyler’s focus was on understanding how cells communicate with one another to influence fate decisions during embryo development and tumor formation. In particular, he studied the gene regulatory interactions controlled by the mammalian Hedgehog signaling pathway. He had completed a high-throughput RNA interference screen in search of novel genes that regulate Hedgehog signaling in mammals which resulted in the identification of several genes whose loss results in robust and reproducible inhibition of Hedgehog signaling. He then followed up these hits to better understand how they might regulate this important developmental and oncogenic signaling pathway.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

Tyler is an assistant professor of gynecologic oncol¬ogy & reproductive medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His lab focuses on the genetics of rare gynecologic malignancies.