Hello! My name is Isaiah Toth and I am a second-year graduate student in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Department at the University of Arizona. Before I embarked on my doctoral studies, I graduated from the UA with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Mathematics. I had the pleasure of conducting my undergraduate research in Dr. Mark Beilstein’s lab where I researched comparative evolutionary biology in the plant family Brassicaceae. I constructed and maintained CRISPR knockout and knockdown plant lines that disrupted expression levels of respiratory burst oxidase homologs vital to plant reproduction. These early research experiences fueled my scientific curiosity, ultimately leading me to pursue a Ph.D. at UA. Now, I’m immersed in the fascinating world of cell signaling pathways and their underlying mechanisms, so I joined the lab of Dr. Pascale Charest. Here, we delve into the intricate signaling pathways governing directed cell migration, particularly in the context of metastasis—the process responsible for a significant portion of cancer-related deaths.
My current research revolves around deciphering the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 (mTORC2) pathway in breast cancer cell migration. Our ultimate aim is to build a comprehensive knowledge base that will be instrumental in developing therapeutic strategies to impede the pathological migration of cells in not only cancer but also other diseases. When I am away from the lab bench, I am likely taking a Peloton bike class, experimenting with new cooking recipes, or attending a UofA sporting event! Bear Down!
