Abbie trained as a systems biologist during her PhD at Harvard, and her early work focused on characterizing a set of noncoding mammalian genes. As a Schmidt Science Fellow under David Page at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Abbie explored the molecular differences between the sexes. Specifically, Abbie is interested in the contribution of different sex chromosome complements to transcriptional events occurring in the very earliest stages of human embryonic development, before sex hormones begin to have an influence.
Abbie’s science has potentially huge implications first through clarifying the role of sex chromosome complement in this unique system, and second by updating our view of this very early stage of human development to include the context of chromosomal sex. Abbie has now moved from her postdoc at Whitehead Institute to a role at Conception where she will be using her interdisciplinary skills to perfect human in vitro gametogenesis.
Abbie is passionate about the importance of communicating science and engaging with the public around their hopes, concerns, and aspirations with regard to the application and future of scientific progress. Having grown up in a religious community in rural Pennsylvania, she recognizes the power of genuine dialogue about the benefits and implications of technology.