Former Graduate Students
PhD Defense: March 7, 2025Dissertation: Understanding the D. melanogaster Centromere Effect
Publications:
- , S. Sagar, J. Sekelsky (2025)
Suppression of meiotic crossovers in pericentromeric
heterochromatin requires synaptonemal complex and meiotic recombination factors in Drosophila melanogaster.
Genetics. DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyaf029
- , L.K. Frazier, J. Sekelsky (2024)
Centromere-proximal suppression of meiotic crossovers in
Drosophila is robust to changes in centromere number, repetitive DNA content, and centromere-clustering.
Genetics. DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad216
- , C.A. Turcotte, J. Sekelsky (2021)
Meiotic crossover patterning.
Front Cell Devel Biol. DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681123.
- ImPACT internship (2025)
- Best poster (tie), Genetics Retreat (2025)
- NIA F31 Predoctoral Fellowship (2022-25)
- NIGMS T32 NRSA in Genetics Appointment (2020-22)
PhD Defense: March 18, 2021Dissertation: Mechanisms and Genetics of Polymerase Theta-Mediated End Joining
*Co-mentored by Dale Ramsden (Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Ctr)
Publications:
- , J.E. Cho, P. Carvajal-Garcia, R.D. Wood, J. Sekelsky, G.P. Gupta, S.A. Roberts, D. Ramsden (2021)
Mechanistic basis for microhomology identification and genome scarring by polymerase theta.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1921791117
- , K.N. Crown, D. Ramsden, J. Sekelsky (2021)
DNA polymerase theta suppresses mitotic crossing over.
PLOS Genetics. DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302221
- , E. Gales, D. Ramsden, J. Sekelsky (2020)
The Drosophila melanogaster ortholog of RFWD3 functions independently of RAD51 during DNA repair.
G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400903
- Graduate Fellow Award, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018)
- Triangle Fly Symposium, Organizing Chair (2018)
- Early Career Reviewer, Genetics (2019-2021)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University (Houra Merrikh lab)
- Helen Hay Whitney postdoctoral fellowship
PhD Defense: August 12, 2019Dissertation: Meitic Prophase I: From Homolog Pairing to Crossover Regulation
Publications:
- , D.E. Miller, C.A. Turcotte, M.C. Miller, J. Sekelsky (2021)
A pathway for error-free non-homologous end joining of resected meiotic double-strand breaks.
Nucleic Acids Research. DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1205
- , V. Boudreau, T. Rubin, P. Maddox, J-R. Huynh, J. Sekelsky (2019)
Centromeric SMC1 promotes centromere clustering and stabilizes meiotic homolog pairing.
PLOS Genetics. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008412
- M. Hartmann, K.P. Kohl, J. Sekelsky, and (2019)
Meiotic MCM proteins promote and inhibit crossovers during meiotic recombination.
Genetics 212: 461-468. DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302221
- , J. Sekelsky (2017)
Bloom syndrome helicase in meiosis: Pro-crossover functions of an anti-crossover protein.
Bioessays 39: 1-11. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700073.
- , K. Kohl*, S. McMahan, M. Hartmann, A. Williams, J. Sekelsky (2017)
Blm helicase promotes meiotic crossover patterning and homolog disjunction. Current Biology 27: 1-5.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.10.055
- J.K. Holsclaw*, , and J. Sekelsky (2016)
Meiotic and Mitotic Recombination: First in Flies, in
Genome Stability: From Virus to Human Application.Kovalchuk and Kovalchuk, eds., Academic Press.
- Terry Magnuson Dissertation Award, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (2019)
- DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics (2019)
- Graduate Fellow Award, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018)
- Outstanding poster by a postdoctoral fellow, Gordon Research Confernce on Meiosis (2017)
- Frank Porter Graham Graduate and Professional Student Honor Society (Apr 2017)
- NIA F31 Fellowship (2016-18)
- NIGMS T32 NRSA in Genetics Appointment (2014-15)
- Triangle Fly Symposium, Organizing Chair (2016)
- Frank Porter Graham Honor Society, President (2017-2018)
- Gordon-Kenan Research Conference on Meiosis, Chair (2016)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Ting Wu lab, Harvard Medical School (2019-2020)
- Scientific Consultant, Eva Garland Consulting (2020-2021)
- Sabbatical in Sekelsky lab (2021)
- F32 Postdoctoral Fellow, Blanche Capel lab, Duke University
PhD Defense:
June 18, 2019Dissertation: Meiotic Crossover Patterning in Drosophila melanogaster
Publications:
- , J. Umbanhowar, and J. Sekelsky (2019)
Centromere-proximal meiotic crossovers in Drosophila melanogaster
are suppressed by both highly repetitive heterochromatin and the centromere effect.
Genetics 213: 113-125. DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302221
- , K.P. Kohl, J. Sekelsky, and T. Hatkevich (2019)
Meiotic MCM proteins promote and inhibit crossovers during meiotic recombination.
Genetics 212: 461-468. DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302221
- and J. Sekelsky (2017)
The absence of crossovers on chromosome 4 in Drosophila melanogaster:
Imperfection or interesting exception? Fly 11: 253-259.
DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2017.1321181
- T. Hatkevich*, K. Kohl*, S. McMahan, , A. Williams, J. Sekelsky (2017)
Blm helicase promotes meiotic crossover patterning and homolog disjunction. Current Biology 27: 1-5.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.10.055
- ImPACT Internship Award (Oct 2017): Internship and Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
- Frank Porter Graham Graduate and Professional Student Honor Society (Apr 2019)
- Curriculum Fellow in Genetics and Genomics, Harvard Medical School
- Lecturer in Biology, Boston University
PhD Defense:
June 22, 2017Dissertation: Meiotic Crossover Patterning in the Absence of ATR
Publications:
- , S. McMahan, and J. Sekelsky (2017) Loss of Drosophila Mei-41/ATR alters meiotic crossover patterning. Genetics 208: 579-588. doi: genetics.117.300634.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Training Grant (2011-12)
- Postdoctoral Fellow at U. Rochester (lab of Anne Meyer)
- Associate Research Scientist at the Jackson Laboratory
PhD Defense:
April 5, 2017Dissertation: GENerating a Greater Understanding of Resolvases in DNA Damage Repair
*Co-mentored by Dorothy Erie (UNC Chemistry)
Publications:
- S.P. Bellendir*, , L.P. Morris, G. Zapotoczny, W.G. Walton, M.R. Redinbo, D.A. Ramsden, J. Sekelsky*, D.A. Erie (2017) Substrate preference of Gen endonucleases highlights the importance of branched structures as DNA damage repair intermediates. Nucleic Acids Res. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx214.
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2013-16)
- Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2016-17)
- Regional Institute Coordinator of the Regional Training Institute of the Atlantic States.
PhD Defense:
March 14, 2017Dissertation: Novel Roles for the Drosophila melanogaster Ortholog of SMARCAL1 in DNA Damage Repair
Publications:
- and J. Sekelsky (2017)
Annealing of complementary DNA sequences during double-strand
break repair in Drosophila is mediated by the ortholog of SMARCAL1"
Genetics 206: 467-480. doi: 10.1534/genetics.117.200238.
- , T. Hatkevich*, and J. Sekelsky (2016)
Meiotic and Mitotic Recombination: First in Flies, in Genome Stability: From Virus to Human Application.
Kovalchuk and Kovalchuk, eds., Academic Press.
- M.C. LaFave., S.L. Andersen, E.P. Stoffregen, , K.P. Kohl, L.J. Overton, and J. Sekelsky (2013)
Sources and structures of mitotic crossovers that arise when BLM helicase is absent in Drosophila.
Genetics 196: 107-118.
- C.M. Lake, , S.P. Bellendir, J. Sekelsky, and R.S. Hawley (2013)
The development of a monoclonal antibody recognizing the Drosophila melanogaster phosphorylated histone H2A variant (γH2AV). G3 4: 1539-1543.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Training Grant (2011-12)
- NRSA F31 fellowship from National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2015-16)
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Duke University, Center for Human Disease Modeling (2017-2019).
- Postdoctoral Fellow in Sekelsky lab (2019-2021).
- Genomic Variant Scientist, Quest Diagnostics.
PhD Defense:
November 22, 2016Dissertation: Contributions of DNA Helicases to Genome Stability
Publications:
- and J. Sekelsky (2016) Human cell assays for synthesis-dependent strand annealing and crossing over during double-strand break repair. G3: Genes, Genomes, & Genetics 7: 1191-1199).
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Univ. Southern California, lab of Irene Chiolo.
- Staff Scientist, Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC
- Medical Device Clinical Trials Unit Director at the Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics
PhD Defense:
August 16, 2016Dissertation: Biochemical Activities and Genetic Functions of the Drosophila Fancm Helicase in DNA Repair
*Co-mentored by Steve Matson (Biology)
Publications:
- , S.W. Matson, and J. Sekelsky (2016) Biochemical activities and genetic functions of the Drosophila Fancm helicase in DNA repair. Genetics 204: 531-541.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Training Grant (2010-11)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2011-14)
- Royster Society of Fellows Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2014-15)
- Program Coordinator, Chancellor's Science Scholars, UNC
- RISE Program Director, College of Engineering, Univ. Delaware
PhD Defense:
October 30, 2015Dissertation: Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of Drosophila Gen during DNA Repair and Recombination
Publications:
- , D.J. Rognstad*, L.P. Morris, G. Zapotoczny, W.G. Walton, M.R. Redinbo, D.A. Ramsden,
J. Sekelsky*, D.A. Erie (2017) Substrate preference of Gen endonucleases highlights the importance of branched structures as DNA damage
repair intermediates. Nucleic Acids Res. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx214.
- C.M. Lake, J.K. Holsclaw, , J. Sekelsky, and R.S. Hawley (2013)
The development of a monoclonal antibody recognizing the Drosophila melanogaster phosphorylated histone H2A variant (γH2AV). G3 3:1539-1343.
- and J. Sekelsky (2013) An elegans solution for crossover formation. PLOS Genetics 9: e1003658.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Training Grant (2008-9)
- "Substrate specificity of the Drosophila Holliday junction resolvase GEN"
Genetics/GMB Retreat at the Beach, Sept. 28, 2013.
- Postdoctoral Fellow with Jonathan Berg, UNC
- Clinical Genomics Scientist at Invitae
PhD Defense:
March 8, 2013Dissertation: Identification and Characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster Meiotic MCM Complex
Publications:
- T. Hatkevich,* ,* S. McMahan, M.A. Hartmann, A.M. Williams, and J. Sekelsky (2017)
Bloom syndrome helicase promotes meiotic crossover patterning and homolog disjunction.
Current Biology.
- H.K. Kuo, S. McMahan, C. Rota, , and J. Sekelsky (2014)
Drosophila FANCM helicase prevents spontaneous mitotic crossovers generated by the MUS81 and SLX1 nucleases.
Genetics 198: 135-145.
- M.C. LaFave, S.L. Andersen, E.P. Stoffregen, J.K. Holsclaw, , L.J. Overton, and J. Sekelsky (2014)
Sources and structures of mitotic crossovers that arise when BLM helicase is absent in Drosophila.
Genetics 196: 107-118.
- and J. Sekelsky (2013) Meiotic and mitotic recombination in meiosis.
Genetics 194: 327-334.
- , C.D. Jones, and J. Sekelsky (2012)
Evolution of an MCM complex in flies that promotes meiotic crossovers by blocking BLM helicase.
Science 338: 1363-1365.
- K.A. Collins, J.G. Callicoat, C.M. McClurken, , and R.S. Hawley (2012)
A germline clone screen on the X chromosome reveals novel meiotic mutants in Drosophila melanogaster.
G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 2: 1369-1377.
- S.L. Andersen, D.T. Bergstralh, , J.R. LaRocque, C.B. Moore, and J. Sekelsky (2009) Drosophila MUS312 and the vertebrate ortholog BTBD12 interact with DNA structure-specific endonucleases in DNA repair and recombination. Molecular Cell 35: 128-135.
- Life Sciences Research Foundation postdoctoral fellowship (declined).
- Genetics Society of America's Larry Sandler Award for outstanding dissertation in Drosophila, runner up (2014).
- Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award (2013).
- Kenan-Hobgood Dissertation Fellowship for outstanding student in GMB (2011).
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Training Grant (2006-7)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, honorable mention (2008)
- "Identification of a Novel MCM Complex Involved in Meiotic Crossover Formation"
Gordon-Kenan Research Seminar, June 12, 2010. - "Functions of a Meiotic MCM Complex in Generating Crossovers"
Genetics/GMB Retreat at the Beach, Sept. 17, 2011. - "Identification of a Novel MCM Complex Involved in Meiotic Crossover Formation"
Gordon-Kenan Research Seminar, June 2, 2012. - "The role of the Drosophila meiotic MCM proteins in crossover formation"
GSA Drosophila Research Conference, April 5, 2013. - "The role of the Drosophila meiotic MCM proteins in crossover formation"
Harold Weintraub Symposium, Seattle, WA, May 3, 2013.
- Postdoctoral Fellow with Nadia Singh, NC State University
- Associate Professor, Dept of Biology, Winthrop University
PhD Defense:
April 6, 2011Dissertation: Detection and Analysis of Common Fragile Sites in Drosophila melanogaster
Publications:
- , S.L. Andersen, E.P. Stoffregen, J.K. Holsclaw, K.P. Kohl, L.J. Overton, and J. Sekelsky (2013)
Sources and structures of mitotic crossovers that arise when BLM helicase is absent in Drosophila.
Genetics 196: 107-18.
- S. Mukherjee, , and J. Sekelsky (2009)
DNA damage responses in Drosophila nbs mutants with reduced or altered NBS function.
DNA Repair 8: 803-812.
- and J. Sekelsky (2009) Mitotic recombination:
Why? When? How? Where? PLoS Genet. 5: e1000411.
- and J. Sekelsky (2011) Transcription initiation from within P elements generates hypomorphic mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 188: 749-752.
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, honorable mention (2007)
- Cell and Molecular Biology Training Grant (2007-8)
- Postdoctoral research with Shawn Burgess, National Human Genome Research Institute (NIH)
- Bioinformatics Scientist at Synthetic Genomics Vaccine Institute
- Senior Data Scientist at Celgene.
- Senior Manager of Data Science, Bristol Myers Squibb
PhD Defense:
March 8, 2010Dissertation: DmBLM's Functions in DNA Repair and Recombination
Publications:
- M.C. LaFave, , E.P. Stoffregen, J.K. Holsclaw, K.P. Kohl, L.J. Overton, and J. Sekelsky (2013) Sources and structures of mitotic crossovers that arise when BLM helicase is absent in Drosophila. Genetics (in press).
- M. McVey, , Y. Broze, and J. Sekelsky (2007)
Multiple functions of the Drosophila Blm helicase in maintaining genome stability. Genetics 176: 1979-1992.
- , D.T. Bergstralh, K.P. Kohl, J.R. LaRocque, C.B. Moore, and J. Sekelsky (2009)
Drosophila MUS312 and the vertebrate ortholog BTBD12 interact with DNA structure-specific endonucleases in DNA repair and recombination. Molecular Cell 35: 128-135.
- and J. Sekelsky (2010)
Meiotic versus mitotic recombination: Two different routes for double-strand break repair. Bioessays 32: 1058-1056.
- , H.K. Kuo, D. Savukoski, M.H. Brodsky, and J. Sekelsky (2011) Three structure-selective endonucleases are essential in the absence of BLM helicase in Drosophila. PLoS Genetics 7: e1002315.
- Best student talk, Genetics Retreat at the Beach (2008)
- Kenan-Hobgood award for outstanding graduate student in GMB (2009)
- NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow with Tom Petes, Duke University
- Laboratory of Simon Gregory, Duke University, Kanapolis.
- Associate Director, Medical Strategy, 21 Grams
PhD Defense:
August 1, 2008Dissertation: DNA Damage Response to Lesions Involving Both Strands of the Double-Helix
Publication: , M.C. LaFave, and J. Sekelsky (2009) DNA damage responses in Drosophila nbs mutants with reduced or altered NBS function. DNA Repair 8: 803-812.
Subsequent Positions:
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Cleveland Clinic
- Clinical Project Manager, Quintiles IMS
- Clinical Operations Portfolio Lead, Global Clinical Trial Strategy & Operations, Bristol Myers Squibb
- Director, Program Operations Hematology/Oncology, Regeneron
MS:
May, 2007
Thesis:
Overlapping Functions of MUS81 and DmBLM Helicase in Drosophila melanogasterPublications:
- , K.S. McKim, S.J. Brill, and J. Sekelsky (2007) Synthetic lethality of Drosophila in the absence of the MUS81 endonuclease and the DmBlm helicase is associated with elevated apoptosis. Genetics 176: 1993-2001.
- Environmental Health Sciences PhD program, UNC-Greensboro.
- Lecturer, UNC-Greensboro.
PhD Defense:
May 18, 2007Dissertation: DNA Damage Response in Drosophila melanogaster: Orchestrating Repair with Cell Cycle Checkpoints
Publications:
- M. McVey, , M.D. Adams, and J. Sekelsky (2004) Formation of deletions during double-strand break repair in Drosophila DmBlm mutants occurs after strand invasion. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101: 15694-15699.
- , B. Jaklevic, T.T. Su, and J. Sekelsky (2007) Drosophila ATR in double-strand break repair. Genetics 175: 1023-1033.
- , D.L. Dougherty, S. Hussain, and J. Sekelsky (2007) Reducing DNA polymerase α in the absence of Drosophila ATR leads to P53-dependent apoptosis and developmental defects. Genetics 176: 1441-1451.
- S.L. Andersen, D.T. Bergstralh, K.P. Kohl, , C.B. Moore, and J. Sekelsky (2009) Drosophila MUS312 and the vertebrate ortholog BTBD12 interact with DNA structure-specific endonucleases in DNA repair and recombination. Molecular Cell 35: 128-135.
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
- Talk award, Cell Cycle Workshop, Drosophila Research Conference (2004)
- Platform talk, Drosophila Cell Cycle and Cell Division Meeting, Porto, Portugal (2006)
- NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (Maria Jasin)
- Dekkers Endowed Chair
Department of Human Science
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Georgetown University Medical Center
PhD Defense:
November 10, 2006Dissertation: Heteroduplex DNA and Meiotic Recombination in Drosophila.
Publications:
- , S. McMahan, H. Blanton, and J. Sekelsky (2007) Heteroduplex DNA in meiotic recombination in Drosophila mei-9 mutants. Genetics 176: 63-72.
- , M. Sabourin, S. McMahan, and J. Sekelsky (2007)Meiotic recombination in Drosophila Msh6 mutants yields discontinuous gene conversion tracts. Genetics 176: 52-63.
- H. Blanton, , H. Kearney, S. McMahan, J. Ibrahim, and J. Sekelsky (2005) REC, Drosophila MCM8, drives formation of meiotic crossovers. PLoS Genetics 1: e40.
- , E. Goley, K. Baxter, S. McMahan, and J. Sekelsky (2005) Drosophila ERCC1 is required for a subset of MEI-9-dependent meiotic crossovers. Genetics 170: 1737-1745.
- and J. Sekelsky (2004) Taking Drosophila Rad51 for a SPiN. Nature Structural & Molecular Biol. 11: 9-10.
- Royster Society of Fellows graduate fellowship (2001-2007)
- Graduate Fellow Award, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (2006)
- Postdoctoral research with
Kim McKim, Rutgers University
Helen Hay Whitney postdoctoral fellowship - Project Manager, Cell and Gene Therapy
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
PhD Defense:
October 26, 2005Dissertation: Cloning and Characterization of recombination defective in Drosophila melanogaster.
Publications:
- and J. Sekelsky (2004) Unique invasions and resolutions: DNA repair proteins in meiotic recombination in Drosophila melanogaster. Cytogenetics and Genome Research 107: 172-179.
- , S.J. Radford, H. Kearney, S. McMahan, J. Ibrahim, and J. Sekelsky (2005) REC, Drosophila MCM8, drives formation of meiotic crossovers. PLoS Genetics 1: e40.
- S.J. Radford, S. McMahan, , and J. Sekelsky (2007) Heteroduplex DNA in meiotic recombination in Drosophila mei-9 mutants. Genetics 176: 63-72.
- Philanthropic Educational Organization fellowship (2004)
- Platform talk, Drosophila Research Conference (2001)
PhD Defense:
May 6, 2003Dissertation: The Functions of Two Interacting Proteins, MEI-9 and MUS312, in DNA Repair and Meiotic Recombination pathways
Publications:
- , S. Majumder, B.C. Kramer, and J. Sekelsky (2002)
Drosophila MUS312 protein interacts physically with the nucleotide excision repair endonuclease MEI-9 to generate meiotic crossovers.
Molecular Cell 10: 1503-1509.
- , H. Kearney, B.C. Kramer, and J. Sekelsky (2004) Mutational analysis of the Drosophila DNA repair and recombination gene mei-9. Genetics 167: 263-273.
- Platform talk, Drosophila Research Conference (2001)
Subsequent Positions:
- Postdoctoral research with Doug Bishop, University of Chicago (06/2003-06/2005)
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Postdoctoral Fellowship - Laboratory of Kenan Onel, University of Chicago (07/2005-06/2008)
MS:
May, 2002Thesis: Targeting the Ercc1 DNA Repair Gene in Drosophila
Publications:
- S.J. Radford, , K. Baxter, S. McMahan, and J. Sekelsky (2005) Drosophila ERCC1 is required for a subset of MEI-9-dependent meiotic crossovers. Genetics 170: 1737-1745.
- MBS, Sloan School of Management, MIT (2006)
- Senior Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Product Management at NanoString Technologies, Inc.