Personal profile

Research interests

The research conducted in Dr. Finck’s laboratory examines the molecular control of fatty acid metabolism with special emphasis on obesity-related abnormalities in liver, heart, and skeletal muscle lipid metabolism. Dr. Finck is particularly interested in the role that nuclear receptor transcription factors and associated proteins play in regulating these metabolic pathways. To this end, Dr. Finck’s lab employs a variety of techniques including molecular biological approaches, gene expression profiling (microarray), cell culture-based systems, and transgenic mouse models. Given the emerging epidemic of obesity, the long-term goal of these studies is to identify novel therapeutic target pathways for treatment of obesity-related diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease.

Mentoring

I am originally from a small town in central Illinois and grew up on a farm. My parents were the first from their families to attend and graduate from college. While they may not have understood my need to obtain a graduate degree or work in academia, they instilled in me the value of education, hard work, and caring and kindness towards all.

My high school graduating class was composed of only 32 students. It was a very homogeneous culture; almost everyone was from that general area of Illinois originally and was of German ancestry. Though my upbringing lacked exposure to people from diverse backgrounds, my collegiate and professional experiences since then have been enriched by interacting with people who were raised in different environments and cultures. Over the years, my lab has welcomed trainees from around the world and I value the wonderful experiences I’ve had learning about their lives.

For the past several years, I have served on the Postdoctoral Research Advisory Committee, which is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Washington University. I am also personally committed to these goals and to mentoring people from all backgrounds. I have mentored trainees from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the life sciences and I am committed to continuing efforts to address inequalities and representation in this field. I look forward to future opportunities to learn and grow in this area.

Available to Mentor:

  • Undergraduate Students
  • Post-Baccalaureate Students
  • PhD/MSTP Students
  • Postdocs

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