Ina is a behavioral geneticist working to understand how genes and environmental factors combine to regulate the expression of genes that guide how individuals behave. As a Schmidt Science Fellow working with Dr. Jared Simpson at the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research, she pivoted into machine learning  to develop new methods for studying environmental influences on the regulation of gene expression.

Ina’s research is uncovering new insights into the age-old debate of nature versus nurture – or more accurately, the differing role of genetics and epigenetics. She has found that the interaction of the two is more important than many people often think. This is important as complex genes are regulated to influence multiple behaviors and therapies targeting one gene can lead to unexpected side effects.

Ina uses the combination of novel RNA sequencing techniques with the capabilities of the fruit fly as a model organism to develop new computational approaches to assess the role of Epitranscriptomic modifications in shaping behavior.

She is now continuing this work as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto.