Lara from Montana
Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee
University of California, San Diego
Research interest
My research bridges genetics and neuroscience. I am concerned with the genetic basis of complex behaviors and focus on substance use and neurodevelopmental traits. I am interested in how small genetic influences influence behavior and how these influences are mediated through gene regulation and neurodevelopmental systems. With my research, I aim to link genetic variation to the wide variation we see in behavior in humans and model organisms. To accomplish this, I use both human data and rodent modeling. Currently, I work with Heterogeneous Stock mice, which is an inbred population with high genetic and phenotypic variation. Working with this population allows us to conduct genome-wide association studies for several behaviors related to substance use disorders. We have studied drug self-administration behaviors for several drugs of abuse, as well as related neuropsychological behaviors such as aversion and delay discounting, where small, immediate rewards are preferred over large, but delayed rewards. These mice are suitable for studying complex behaviors, while also allowing access to brain tissue for molecular and cellular analyses. In the future, I would like to continue this work and create an independent research program that combines quantitative genetics with applied genomic methods to study behavior. I am interested in integrative analyzes that link genetic variation and gene expression with development, as well as cross-species analyzes that provide insight into the shared genetic architecture of behavior.
As a PhD-trained scientist, you have many career options. What interests you the most?
I am very interested in a career that combines rigorous research and service to the wider scientific community. My primary research focus is on the intersection of complex neurological traits and genetics, particularly how genetic variation shapes behavior and disease risk. When thinking about my career, I often have multiple goals and aspirations that often don’t fit into one career path. I am drawn to the innovation of computational methods in biology and to communities such as the Genetics Society of America (GSA) that support collaborative interdisciplinary work. I am currently on an academic career path, which allows me to participate in professional societies, train, write grants, and help shape methods for conducting and communicating genetics research. Being a postdoc has given me the opportunity to learn new skills in the lab. I get to attend conferences, journal clubs, workshops and seminars. By being embedded in this environment, my own scientific questions and ideas could mature and grow. As the fields of both neuroscience and genetics continue to evolve and change, large-scale data become more readily available. As a researcher at this intersection, I aim to thoughtfully integrate quantitative methods with biological insights. I want to be a working scientist, And I want to pursue a career that includes advocacy and policy work, and science communication and outreach. Ultimately, the path I am most interested in is one where I can balance science and service.
Besides your research, how do you want to advance the scientific enterprise?
My research is intrinsically linked to the important work I want to accomplish in this life. The world of genetics and neuroscience is complex. Interpretation is often difficult and the consequences of overgeneralization are real. I help generate the data, but an important part of the science is how it is shared and who is involved. Thus my research is not separate from service. I want to advance the scientific enterprise by reducing barriers to participation in research. Access to training programs, education, mentorship, and informal knowledge increasingly determines who is able to contribute to and benefit from research. My goal is to be a point of access for students and trainees who might not otherwise have obvious entry points into statistical genetics or computationally heavy fields. Small changes in the way we do science and build labs can shape how we attract a new generation of innovative scientific leaders and thinkers. I want to contribute to a genetics community that helps rebuild public trust, effectively communicates biomedical research, and reflects the breadth of people this work ultimately seeks to benefit.
As a leader of the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to achieve?
As a member and leader at GSA, I hope to continue to build a supportive community for scientists at all career stages, especially trainees. GSA plays an important role in uniting genetics researchers across model systems and career paths, and I am excited by the opportunity to help strengthen these connections. Early career scientists need networking, professional development, and mentoring opportunities. I want to help grow programs that provide guidance on career options, funding pathways, and skill development, while also creating a space where trainees feel valued and encouraged. GSA is also uniquely positioned to advocate for science by fostering thoughtful dialogue about emerging challenges in genetics and science in general. Concerns about the responsible interpretation of genetics research, the ethical use of genomic data, and representation in research all require sensitive and deep consideration. I intend to lead by example by modeling open debate and thoughtful scientific engagement. I want to help create situations in which others can fully participate, ask difficult questions, and grow as researchers. This strongly motivates my goal to increase opportunities for trainees within GSA and beyond. Helping early-career scientists like myself become active members of the community, rather than observers, strengthens the field as a whole. As genetics research increasingly intersects with the public discourse, I want to be a trusted voice and contribute to efforts that effectively communicate research, and defend the value of basic research.
