Assistant Professor of Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDr. Holly Feser StessmanDr. Stessman received her Bachelor of Science degree from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA with a double major in Biology and Biochemistry. She received her graduate degree under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Van Ness at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and continued on to do a post doc in Dr. Evan Eichler's group at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA in Genome Sciences. Dr. Stessman joined the faculty at Creighton University in 2016 where she leads a research group identifying and functionally characterizing genetic variation that contributes to complex disease biology.
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OUR RESEARCH
The focus of the Stessman laboratory is to identify and functionally characterize genetic “drivers” of complex human diseases to find new drug targets that may stop disease progression and improve patient quality of life.
We focus on genetic diversity in:
(1) neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
(2) hereditary cancer syndromes using the Lynch Memorial Biorepository
Stessman Laboratory. Pictured left to right: (front) Alex Pierre-Undergraduate Researcher, Dr. Holly Stessman-PI, Bill Snyder-Research Technician; (back) Pasha Lookian-Research Technician/pre-med, Sarah Crews-Graduate Student. Not shown: Dr. Rochelle Wickramasekara (Postdoctoral Fellow). Photo credit: Dave Weaver.
We focus on genetic diversity in:
(1) neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
(2) hereditary cancer syndromes using the Lynch Memorial Biorepository
Stessman Laboratory. Pictured left to right: (front) Alex Pierre-Undergraduate Researcher, Dr. Holly Stessman-PI, Bill Snyder-Research Technician; (back) Pasha Lookian-Research Technician/pre-med, Sarah Crews-Graduate Student. Not shown: Dr. Rochelle Wickramasekara (Postdoctoral Fellow). Photo credit: Dave Weaver.
As a functional genomics laboratory, we utilize a diverse array of tools, including next-generation sequencing technologies, mouse and cell line modeling, CRISPR genome-engineering, high-throughput small-molecule screening, and classical molecular and cell biology approaches. Computational resources also play a central role in multiple aspects of our research.
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Check out our recent work here!
IN THE NEWS
Rare mutations in gene underlie new subtype of autismFeatured on Spectrum, 6 MAY 2016
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In scramble for science faculty jobs, timing is keyFeatured on Spectrum, 14 NOVEMBER 2016
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Autism: bringing color to the gray area
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International effort expands list of genes tied to autismFeatured on Spectrum, 15 FEBRUARY 2017
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Creighton School of Medicine researcher lends help to study of genetic ties to autism Featured on Creighton News Center, 21 FEBRUARY 2017
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In race to crack autism’s code, two contenders shoot ahead
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