Christopher Yanick

Background

About Christopher Yanick

I am a PhD Candidate in the lab of Dr. Mario Saporta, co-mentored by Dr. Stephan Zuchner, at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The focus of my research is studying Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, specifically the SORD neuropathy. I use induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) to model the SORD neuropathy in lower motor neurons to study disease phenotype and test efficacy of small molecule therapies. I have experience in cell culturing techniques, the use of rodent models, and a variety of imaging and biochemical assays. I am a hands-on learner and I love having opportunities to learn new techniques to expand my skill set and be involved in the process of performing experiments. Outside of research, I have a great interest in Science Communication and Patient Advocacy. From my time as a Huntington's Disease Society of America Fellow as in my undergraduate years, I had an opportunity to meet with patients and their family members, to learn and understand not only the problems they face, but their desire to know more about the world of research and what is being done to positively impact their lived experiences. I want to bridge the information gap between researchers and patients, to improve the ability of scientists to communicate their work and to encourage and enable patients to become involved in the academic research process. I am interested in opportunities to develop and expand my skills as a communicator and to use my background and passion in science to improve the lives and experiences of others.