Stephen is a Molecular Engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Washington. His work in the Kuchina Lab at ISB uses single-cell transcriptomics and CRISPR tools to investigate Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, with a focus on elucidating small RNA regulatory networks. Biofilms are phenotypically heterogenous communities even when they are comprised of isogenic members. Single-cell approaches can help understand how different functions are regulated across the community, and which of these functions may be candidates for therapeutic interventions for chronic infections.

Prior to graduate school, Stephen received his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, where he studied non-coding RNA in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Todd, and spent five years in industry developing gene editing therapies. Outside of lab, he enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and trying to figure out the meaning of various stickers on the street signs of Seattle.