Katie obtained her BSc in Cell & Developmental Biology from the University of British Columbia and her Ph.D. from the Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto where she studied lineage specification in the early mammalian embryo. She did her postdoc in the lab of Dr. Valentina Greco at Yale University, where she used intravital imaging to investigate stem cell fate decisions in the skin.听
What drew you to this field of research?
Broadly, my lab is interested in tissue regeneration, and we use the skin as a model to understand how stem cell decisions are controlled in healthy tissue and how they go awry in disease. The skin is a wonderful system to study regeneration because it鈥檚 one of the most high-turnover tissues in our body, and because it鈥檚 directly exposed to the outside environment which poses lots of interesting challenges that stem cells need to adapt to. A lot of our work involves intravital microscopy, which allows us to watch stem cells in the skin of living animals over hours, days or even weeks to follow their behaviors. One direction we鈥檙e really excited about is using this approach to study how behaviors change as cells start to acquire UV-induced mutations, and how those changes, in some cases, lead to the formation of cancer.
My background is in developmental biology, and I first became interested in understanding how cells interpret information from their surroundings to make lineage decisions in the early embryo. When it came time for me to pick a postdoc, I wanted to keep thinking about cellular decision making, but I became interested in how stem cells make decisions in the context of regeneration. The skin seemed like a place where there were lots of big unanswered questions about how stem cell behaviors were controlled. I鈥檓 also a very visual person and I love live imaging because it鈥檚 a great way to discover completely surprising things that you never expected to see. So, I wanted to combine the two areas, and that was the foundation for my postdoc work and now the research that we do in my own lab.
Why did you choose the GCI?
The GCI is special because it brings together people with an incredibly wide range of scientific backgrounds, united by the common goal of preventing, treating, and curing cancer. It鈥檚 really amazing to see so many researchers at the top of their respective fields coming together to learn from one another and collaborate on scientific problems. The GCI does such a great job of facilitating those interactions and providing support for people to do their best work. I also really admire the way the GCI supports and promotes trainees, and I鈥檓 really excited for my own lab members to become part of the community here.
What are you looking forward to this new academic year?
Since I鈥檓 just starting out as a new PI, I am looking forward to a year of 鈥渇irsts鈥�! First trainees, first big experiments in my own lab, first lab gatherings, first interactions with new colleagues. Opening a lab is an exciting time, and I am trying to celebrate all the new experiences, big and small.
What attracted you to Montreal?
I鈥檝e always loved visiting Montreal and I鈥檓 thrilled that I now get to live here. One of my favorite things about this city is the food! There are so many delicious restaurant choices and always something new to try. I鈥檓 having fun eating my way through the city.
Contact Information:听
- Lab website:听听
- Email:听katie.cockburn [at] mcgill.ca听
- Lab:听9th floor of the McIntyre Medical Science Building,听平特五不中