Sara Good

Background

About Sara Good

My primary training is in population genetics and molecular evolution/bioinformatics. However I am currently expanding my education and research to include tools in genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics through the completion of an Msc in Community Health and an internship in statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology (at the University of Toronto). In my basic research program, my laboratory examines comparative endocrinology and genome evolution of the insulin superfamily of genes in vertebrates. As part of my re-training in epidemiology and public health, I am working on several collaborative genetic epidemiology projects: one comparing gene expression profiles in twins with autism spectrum disorders, and another looking for genetic and transcriptomic associations of complications arising from Type 1 Diabetes. My work has combined field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments with statistical analyses of data, particularly genetic data. Research conducted by myself and those in my research group include analyses of Next-Generation Sequencing technologies (e.g. Transcriptomics) and experimental gene analyses (qPCR, IHC, westerns) in combination with diverse bioinformatic and statistical models in order to study the evolution and function of insulin superfamily genes and their potential involvement in disease. In the last few years, I have participated in two global health volunteer opportunities. In 2013, I participated in a project in Kenya to look at the relationship between nutrition, health and food security. In 2016, I was a project coordinator for a project looking at the relationship between infection with schistosomiasis and HIV infection. I have been involved in a variety of applied projects in both plant and mammal conservation, and collaborated with the Atlantic food and horticultural center on two project to improve apple fruit production in Nova Scotia.