The University of Iowa Postdoctoral Association

Kayly completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Scripps College in 2010. She then started her graduate training with Dr. David B. Morton at Oregon Health & Science University, where she studied the interaction of TDP-43, an ALS-associated protein, with type-II voltage-gated calcium channels in Drosophila melanogaster. She completed her Ph.D. in 2017 and, in 2018, became a Postdoctoral Research Scholar with Dr. Andy Frank in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Nicole Green, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Tootle Lab in the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Carver College of Medicine. A lifelong Drosophila biologist, Nicole completed her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Kansas State University under the mentorship of Dr. Erika R. Geisbrecht. She currently is using the Drosophila ovary to understand the fundamental roles of prostaglandin signaling and nuclear actin in stem cell biology and is a proud member of the Flyowa community. Nicole is the Vice President of UIPDA, the Social Committee Chair/social media manager, and the postdoc rep for the UI Research Council. She is also very involved with the Genetics Society of America and serves on the GSA Education Committee. Outside of research, Nicole enjoys playing piano, maintaining her extensive houseplant collection, and trying to juggle her many book clubs.

Andrew Jezewski, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Krysan Lab in the Stead Family Department Pediatrics at the University of Iowa. Andrew completed his Ph.D. work characterizing mechanisms of antimalarial drug resistance and investigating antiglycolytic therapies for the treatment of malaria under the mentorship of Audrey John at Washington University in Saint Louis. His current work aims to understand the role of carbon dioxide tolerance as a requirement for cryptococcal virulence. Andrew is the Chair of the UIPDA Policy and Advocacy Committee. Outside of research, Andrew enjoys tending to his greenhouse and garden, college football, biking, and being outdoors.

Dr. Titcomb is a Registered Dietitian with a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences. His current scientific interests are focused on the clinical use of diet as an adjunct therapy for neurological conditions, and the application of available epidemiological data to evaluate the association of diabetes (and other chronic conditions) with popular diets that offer limited information on their long-term health outcomes. Tyler’s thesis argues that diet and nutrition habits have historically been underappreciated for their effect on human health, and his two-fold scientific approach intends to critically evaluate the pros and cons of popular dietary patterns.