Dunn Research Laboratory
Dr. Heather Dunn
Principal Investigator
Doctor of Philosophy, Clemson UniversityÂ
Major: Microbiology- Cancer Emphasis
Master of Science, University of California, Davis
Major: Animal Science- Environmental Toxicants
Dr. Heather Dunn has worked at Clemson University since 2006. She has received multiple teaching and advising awards of excellence and was the Clemson Bradley Award recipient in 2014. She has authored several photo atlas textbooks and filed four different patent inventions. She has completed professional development in the fields of inclusion and equity, conflict resolution, and mindfulness training. She also directs a summer study abroad program that focuses on global professional development which provides a solid foundation for individuals seeking careers requiring global engagement.
Kylie King
Graduate Research Assistant
Kylie is currently working to finish her doctoral degree in the Bioengineering program at Clemson. She received her Master's degree in the same program in May of 2021, and has previously worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator at the on-campus COVID-19 testing lab. Her current research aims to use 2D and 3D in vitro models to understand the racial disparities in triple-negative breast cancer.
Matt Harrington
Graduate Research Assistant
Matt is currently a graduate student in the Bioengineering program at Clemson. He received his Bachelor of Science in Genetics from Clemson in 2023 and currently works as a graduate assistant for the Department of Bioengineering and the Rutland Institute for Ethics on campus. His research utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying racial disparities in triple-negative breast cancer.
Devon Pytel
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Devon is a senior Bioengineering major. She joined this CI to expand her repertoire of research and laboratory skills as well as to collaborate with a team with a common goal. As a cancer survivor, Devon was eager to learn more about the complex nature of the disease. Devon plans to attend Vanderbilt University and pursue her M.E. in the Surgical Intervention program.
Zoe Dinkel
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Zoe is a senior Bioengineering major. She recently submitted a manuscript characterizing collagen architecture from TNBC tumors across racial groups. Zoe is currently conducting RT-qPCR experiments on RNA extracted from TNBC tumors to evaluate the expression of genes associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts. Zoe has been a part of the team since August of 2022.
Ashley Pankey
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ashley is currently helping and learning from our PhD student, Kylie King. This includes cell culture in different environments, RNA extraction, and PCR analysis. The goal of these experiments is to expand our knowledge about the differences and similarities between African American and Caucasian Triple Negative Breast Cancer cell lines. Post graduation, Ashley plans to pursue a Master of Science.
Mary Grace Galloway
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mary Grace is currently working in the lab performing various experiments such as PCR, RNA extraction, and growing both Caucasian and African American cell lines in different conditions. The goal is to obtain more information about the optimal growth conditions for both Caucasian and African American cell lines, as well as seeing how the two grow in comparison to each other.
Arden Dailida
Website Manager & Undergraduate Research Assistant
Arden is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Biological Sciences. Her academic pursuits reflect a keen interest in the intersection of law and healthcare, indicating a focused and multidisciplinary approach to her career aspirations. Arden has been a part of the team since January of 2023.
Alannah Akins
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alannah is a junior bioengineering major currently in the B.S. to M.S. program and plans on getting her Ph.D. She is currently working on determining the in vitro racial disparities in triple-negative breast cancer. Alannah has been a part of the team since Fall 2023.
Mckenzie Bradley
Undergraduate Research Assistant
McKenzie is a junior bioengineering student with a minor in materials science. McKenzie joined the team in January 2024 to explore the research advancements and develop her laboratory skills in the cellular mechanisms underlying racial disparities in triple-negative breast cancer. She will be working at Arthrex during summer 2024 as an engineering intern at their Ave Maria, FL medical facility. She is planning to pursue a Masters of Engineering after graduation.