Matthew Talbert

Third Year Student, 2007-2008                                               

Email address: mtalbert@wfubmc.edu

Education:

BS, Davidson College (Davidson, NC), Biology and a concentration in Medical Humanities (Spring 2005)

Advisor:  Donald W. Bowden, Ph.D.  

Current Research:

The current focus of my research is identifying the genetic components that contribute to the development and molecular pathology of obesity.  I assist in the ongoing effort to complete the positional cloning of novel obesity genes in the Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis Family Study (IRASFS).  As part of this effort, I am performing SNP association analysis of positional functional candidates on chromosome 17 in the IRASFS Hispanic cohort.  I determine whether inheritable variations in various genomic regions (usually genes) of chromosome 17 have an effect on quantitative adiposity phenotypes (such as body-mass Index or waist circumference) in our population set.  As one of the most poorly understood, yet prevalent, complex disorders facing the western world, the research of the IRASFS and others may prove critical in advancing the understanding and clinical treatments of obesity.

Publications:

Abstract

Talbert ME, Langefeld CD, Norris JM, Haffner SM, and Bowden DW. Novel genetic association of SOCS3 with adiposity measures in Hispanics in the IRASFS.  Presented at the annual meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics, October 2007, San Diego, California.

Langefeld CD, Talbert ME, Norris JM, Haffner SM, and Bowden DW. Glucose Homeostasis, Adiposity, and INSIG2: Genetic Analysis in the IRAS Family Study. Presented at the annual meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics, October 2007, San Diego, California.

Talbert ME, Guo Q. “Exploring the Alzheimer’s Proteome Utilizing a Novel Antibody Microarray Technology,” Wake Forest University, Summer Opportunities Program Poster Symposium, July 2004, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Honors and Awards:

2004-2005             Who’s Who Among American College Students

2007-2008              Molecular Medicine Training Grant

Presentations

Unravelling the genetics of the human obesity epidemic. Davidson College Biology Departmental Seminar. September 27th, 2007. Davidson College. Davidson, NC.

Symposium for Young Neuroscientists & Professors of the Southeast. Panelist. April 1st, 2006. Davidson College. Davidson, NC.