Name: Hank Bradford
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Hobbies: Volleyball, guitar, cooking, fly fishing
Lab: Farah Sheikh Lab, UC San Diego
What do you do/study? Our lab focuses on a genetic heart disease called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). We use genetically engineered mouse models to better understand the mechanisms driving ARVC, as well as evaluate novel therapies to treat this devastating disease. My project studies how a single base change in DNA can lead to ARVC, and I am currently testing different ways to prevent this disease from developing.
Why is it important? ARVC is a leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. Insight into the genetics and underlying mechanisms of ARVC can aid in better prediction and treatment of disease.
What piqued your interest in science? I got interested in science when I took a college course on infectious diseases. I was fascinated by the ability of scientists to dissect how microbes cause disease, and design treatments to help human health.
What do you like about being a scientist? I really enjoy so many things about being a scientist. It is amazing to work towards solving unanswered scientific questions that can provide important information about biology and potentially help treat disease. One of the coolest things about science is that you never know what you will be working on in the future. Projects take you down unexpected paths and it is exciting to learn about new areas to help solve your research question.
What are 5 general vocabulary terms someone should know going into your field of science? DNA, gene, protein, heart, arrhythmia
What are 5 specific vocabulary terms someone should know about your research or profession? Desmosome, CRISPR/Cas9, RNA splicing, ejection fraction, gene therapy
Sneak peak: Below is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) showing all four chambers of a mouse heart.
