Kathleen Nevis
B.S., Physiology and Neurobiology
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
I was born and raised in the beautiful town of Gresham, Oregon (a small town about 20 miles east of Portland).  I left Oregon to attend the University of Connecticut where I received my B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology in 1999.  I took a semester off and in the spring of 2001 I completed the molecular certification program offered at UCONN.  Between 2001-2003, I did research in the Department of Pathobiology at UCONN, helping with the molecular characterization and the development of a diagnostic assay of the parasite (Neoparmeoba sp.) that was the cause of a mass mortality in lobsters in 1999.  I joined the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Ph.D. program in August of 2003.

I am currently co-mentored by Dr. Marila Cordiero-Stone (Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) and Dr. Jeanette Cook (Department of Biochemsitry and Biophysics).   My current work focuses on investigating the response of normal human fibroblasts to reduction of two DNA replication initiation factors, Cdc6 and Cdt1.  These proteins are part of the pre-replication complex (pre-RC), which is required for the licensing of origins to carry out DNA replication.  Reduction of these proteins in normal cells leads to a G1 arrest, while in cancer cells leads to apoptosis.  Understanding the molecular discrepancies between these two effects could potentially be of therapeutic use in battling cancer.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two cats, Besos and Puddles (pretty sad huh?), playing soccer, camping, rock climbing, watching NASCAR, playing pool, and chilling with friends. 
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