I was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the GW Department of Biological Sciences in January 2016. I am a Developmental Biologist interested in Evolution, Pattern Formation, and the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes. My recent experimental work has focused on the development of CRISPR research tool in non-traditional model organisms such as crustaceans and butterflies. I teach Developmental Biology every Spring semester, as well as a Genome Editing Laboratory every semester, which immerses the students in a complete research experience. This later class prepares the students to understand the applications and challenges of CRISPR techniques, a unique set of skills that is rarely offered at other universities. Finally, I am developing a database on the genetic basis of phenotypic evolution that spans all eukaryotic systems. It is currently available at www.gephebase.org