Karen Hermetz
Lab Manager
Originally from the corn fields of southwestern Ohio, I relocated to the Atlanta area in 1997. After spending nearly 10 years in the banking world, I had the opportunity to pursue childhood dreams of a career in research (yes, I was a weird child.) I went to Kennesaw State University in Georgia and obtained my degree in biology. My first job in research was in the lab of Jessie Kissinger, at the University of Georgia, studying the obligate, intercellular, apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Wrangling parasites is where I fell in love with benchwork. I then transferred to the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University, where I fell in love with the human genome. I spent 7 years in the lab of Katie Rudd studying complex chromosomal rearrangements in subtelomeric regions, specializing in mapping (sequencing) inverted duplications adjacent to terminal deletions. I designed custom microarrays, targeted sequence captures, PCR reactions and used FISH to map deletions, duplications, and translocations at the nucleotide level. I also spent a short time on the Next-Gen Sequencing team at Emory Genetics Laboratory, processing clinical samples to screen for carriers of known mutations. Just prior to joining the Marsit Lab, I worked as lab manager for Victor Corces building chromatin conformation capture libraries (Hi-C, Hi-ChIP, ChIP-Seq, ChIA-PET, etc.) to understand, and better define, topologically associated domains (TADs) in Drosophila, C. elegans, mice, and humans.
Currently, I’m involved in the development of an NGS-based methylation assay. The goal is to create a streamlined, high throughput, sequence-based assay to investigate how changes in methylation impact gene expression, while eliminating the more cumbersome aspects of building NGS libraries. We want to be able to create a cost effective, high coverage, customizable process capable of identifying disease associated methylation changes and the potential influence of the surrounding genomic landscape.
When not moving the liquids in the lab, I like to spend time with my husband and, when I can, our two boys (they’re grown men with lives of their own). I also like to read, drink too much coffee, and dabble in the “craft of the moment” (currently knitting hats that no one will wear.) I prefer pie to cake, and I can be easily bribed with cream cheese and bagels.
Currently, I’m involved in the development of an NGS-based methylation assay. The goal is to create a streamlined, high throughput, sequence-based assay to investigate how changes in methylation impact gene expression, while eliminating the more cumbersome aspects of building NGS libraries. We want to be able to create a cost effective, high coverage, customizable process capable of identifying disease associated methylation changes and the potential influence of the surrounding genomic landscape.
When not moving the liquids in the lab, I like to spend time with my husband and, when I can, our two boys (they’re grown men with lives of their own). I also like to read, drink too much coffee, and dabble in the “craft of the moment” (currently knitting hats that no one will wear.) I prefer pie to cake, and I can be easily bribed with cream cheese and bagels.
Amber Burt
Data Manager and Analyst
I am a native Georgian, that recently returned to the Atlanta area after a decade away. After obtaining a master’s degree in Biostatistics, I worked as a statistical analyst on a variety of human genetics and genetic epidemiology research projects. This research included family based genetic studies for Parkinson’s Disease, Cleft Lip and Clubbed Foot, and GWAS and Exome Sequencing analysis projects for cardiovascular disease, ADHD, and acute kidney injury.
Currently, I am responsible for all of the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS) data cleaning and management and for implementing statistical analysis for DNA methylation array projects.
Currently, I am responsible for all of the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS) data cleaning and management and for implementing statistical analysis for DNA methylation array projects.
Derek Jobe
Research Projects Manager
Before joining the Marsit Lab in 2019, I spent several years as a clinical research coordinator with Emory University's Clinical Trials Unit conducting studies for the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) and AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). I oversee the IRB submissions and other regulatory matters for the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS).
