Lauren’s scientific focus centers on how genetic variation, environmental exposures, and interactions between the two (GxE) influence complex traits. In her research, she uses systems genetics approaches to understand how genetic variation drives phenotypic differences by merging information across quantitative transcriptional, cellular, and physiologic measurements. Through such approaches, one can identify specific genetic drivers and biological mechanisms underlying phenotypes of interest.
More specifically, Lauren investigates the etiology of altered airway physiology in the context of asthma. Given that respiratory diseases are often influenced by numerous cell types and biological organ systems, mouse models are informative platforms for investigating disease processes. She is using the Collaborative Cross mouse genetic reference population to estimate heritable variation in airway disease phenotypes and identify shared/distinct molecular mechanisms across interrelated phenotypes. Furthermore, she is working with human transcriptional profiles to identify mouse models that are maximally informative to the human disease state.
Lauren is also interested in quantitative trait locus mapping approaches, modeling transcriptional regulation, and interrogating the relationship between transcription and protein abundance.