Samantha Ardery

Sam joined the lab as a summer intern in May 2022 after graduating from Carthage College. We then convinced her to return after the summer as a post-baccalaureate researcher. Her research project is focused on understanding how differences in short read RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) platforms and analysis methods can affect estimates of gene expression and detection of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) in cell lines and tissues from Diversity Outbred mice.   

"My long-term research goals include obtaining the necessary skills to begin an independent research group studying the effects of diverse genetics on disease phenotype and treatment, as well as participate in the dissemination of scientific knowledge to the next generation of biological researchers and to the general public. As pre-doctoral staff in the Munger lab, I am able to practice the computational skills necessary to understand the impact of diverse genetics on RNA-sequencing to determine the effectiveness of the various parameters in an experiment. My undergraduate work with Dr. Steve Henle at Carthage College allowed me to gain experience with fluorescent microscopy and CRISPR in order to localize different forms of the Yes-associated protein throughout development of the zebrafish. Outside of research, I enjoy reading and sewing."