I started my scientific career at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India where I received my BS and MS degrees in Biotechnology. Subsequently I enrolled in the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to pursue my doctoral degree under Dr. Gaffney’s mentorship. During my MS and GPiBS training, I developed strong interests in immunology, human genetics, cell signaling, and gene regulation. I am excited to have the opportunity to integrate each of these topics into my dissertation research with Dr. Gaffney’s research team. Specifically, I will be investigating the molecular and functional role of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus risk haplotypes spanning the UBE2L3 gene.