My name is Matt Huntley and I’m a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a minor in Biochemistry. I’m doing my research in the lab of Dr. Catharine Smith in the College of Pharmacy. The Smith lab is primarily focused on studying epigenetic mechanisms, or how gene expression is controlled. The Smith lab applies epigenetic research to a bunch of different real world challenges. For example, one project I’m working on is investigating how chronic arsenic exposure may cause diabetes through epigenetic alterations, and another is attempting to better understand the epigenetic activity of histone deacetylase inhibitors, a class of drugs currently used to treat lymphomas. Next year I’ll hopefully be starting graduate school to pursue my PhD in biochemistry or molecular biology. When I’m not in lab I like backpacking, rock climbing, and watching sports with my friends.
