Paula Roy

Background

About Paula Roy

I am a PhD with postdoctoral experience in genetics, genomics, neurobiology, and behavior. Looking to transition into a scientist role in a clinical/translational setting. Relocating to the Kansas City area. As a scientist, I believe that my skills and knowledge have the highest impact when bettering our communities. I have over 20 years of research experience and over 15 years managing and leading independent projects, including facilitating collaboration, training young scientists, and building research programs from ideas to hypothesis-driven execution to peer-reviewed publication. I am currently investigating rare neurodevelopmental disorders to uncover novel pathways and mechanisms in brain development. We take a patient-forward approach, using whole exome genomic data to identify variants with a high likelihood for pathogenicity. In my current postdoc with Nikki Link, I launched an independent project investigating how RNA-binding proteins are essential architects of brain formation and function. I am an active mentor to graduate students, undergraduate students, and technicians in the lab. I believe in providing training to scientists of any and all educational backgrounds and skill levels and advocating for disadvantaged students, pulling from personal experience as a first-generation scientist. Skills: Genotype-phenotype association, genetics and genomics data analysis, variant curation, advanced molecular biology techniques (RNA and DNA, in-vivo and in-vitro), microscopy, complex behavior assay design and interpretation, bioinformatics, programming (R, python, Unix), scientific writing and editing, literature review and meta-analysis, scientific protocol design and execution. Top Publications Roy PR, Link N.(2025) Loss of neuronal Imp induces seizure behavior through Syndecan function. eNeuro 21 April 2025, 12 (5) ENEURO.0545-24.2025; DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0545-24.2025 Roy, P.R. and Castillo, D.M.(2024). The neurodevelopmental genes alan shepard and Neuroglian contribute to female mate preference in African Drosophila melanogaster. J Evol Biol. 2024 Aug 1;37(8):877-890. doi: 10.1093/jeb/voae074. Roy, P.R. and J.M. Gleason (2019). Assessing the use of wing ornamentation and visual display in female choice sexual selection. Behavioural Processes(158), 89-96. Kague, E, Roy, P, Asselin, G, Hu, G, Simonet, J, Stanley, A. & Fisher, S.(2016). Osterix/Sp7 limits cranial bone initiation sites and is required for formation of sutures. Developmental biology, 413(2), 160-172.