Ryan hobbs, IGP Student

Where is your hometown?
Grandview, Mo., a south suburb of Kansas City.

Where did you obtain your undergraduate degree?
I graduated from the University of Missouri—Columbia in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in microbiology.

What are your research interests?
During my undergraduate years at Mizzou, I worked in an X‐ray crystallography lab and studied the enzymes involved in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. It was during this time that I became captivated with understanding how proteins interact with one another to facilitate a functional outcome.

For the past four years, I have worked in the laboratory of Dr. Kathleen Green in the Department of Pathology. My thesis project focuses on determining how intracellular calcium pumps regulate the ability of epithelial cells to form cell‐cell contacts.

What exciting projects are you working on?
In the Green Lab, I study the formation and regulation of desmosomes — a type of calcium‐dependent intercellular junction that play crucial roles in mediating cell‐cell adhesion during embryogenesis — wound healing, and epidermal differentiation.

Much of my research has focused on identifying how desmosome formation is impaired in the skin of patients with Darier’s disease. Darier’s disease is a genetic skin blistering disorder that can be caused by mutations in SERCA2, a calcium pump that resides in the endoplasmic reticulum. Using a combination of biochemical and microscopy techniques, I have been able to demonstrate that SERCA2 and PKCa signaling, which are both critical for regulating desmosome assembly, are both perturbed in Darier’s disease skin cells. It is the hope that my research may lead to a novel therapeutic for patients with Darier’s disease.

What attracted you to the IGP program?
When I was first looking at graduate programs, I was not exactly sure what field of research I wanted to pursue. The umbrella nature of the IGP program was perfect for me as there were so many research opportunities and I did not have to immediately decide on a particular field or project.

How often do you travel between the Chicago and Evanston campuses?
I have served as the chair of the Graduate Leadership Council (GLC) for the past two years. We work with University administration to ensure that the needs and concerns of all graduate students at Northwestern are not overlooked. The GLC primarily meets in Evanston, so I make the trip about once a month via intercampus shuttle.

How would you describe the faculty at Feinberg?
Whether it’s been for help with courses, use of equipment and reagents, or even personal advice, every faculty member that I’ve encountered has been very open and willing to help out at a moment’s notice. I felt early on in my time at Northwestern that we are all "in it" together, and I think that makes the faculty at Feinberg very special. Most other institutions I’ve visited do not seem to have the same sense of collegiality.

What has been your best experience at Feinberg so far?
The best experience so far was giving an oral presentation at the Society of Investigative Dermatology conference in Montreal. It was great being able to present my hard work to colleagues in my field. Runner‐up goes to being awarded my first fellowship (through the American Heart Association). Although, I imagine graduating and forever being done with school will take the cake as best experience.

What do you like to do for fun?
When I’m not in the lab, you can often find me on the soccer pitch.

What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan to pursue a post‐doctoral research position in an institution to be determined, and hope to achieve a lifelong career in academic science.