Welcome to Silva-Fisher Lab

Exploring the Wonders of RNA

Jessica Silva-Fisher, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

I am a Tejana (Texan) born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I received my B.S. in Biology at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. I received my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science under Dr. David Smith. My postgraduate career focused on gaining basic computational skills at the McDonnell Genome Institute under Drs. Elaine Mardis and Richard Wilson and translational research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis under Dr. Christopher Maher.

My work focuses on the study of aggressive metastatic disease and how we can use our knowledge of basic biology to create novel therapies for treating patients. I enjoy characterizing long non-coding RNAs binding capability to proteins and their downstream gene regulation. I use a multi-disciplinary approach for studying long non-coding RNAs including advance techniques in genomics, epigenetics, molecular biology, and RNA biology.

In addition, I am the Co-Director of the Mentorship to Enhance Diversity in Academia (MEDA). Here, we connect senior level faculty with under-represented (URM) trainees for mentorship and provide valuable resources for career development.

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Dr. Silva-Fisher is also associated with Washington University in St. Louis Division of Biology and  Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) General Program.

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Prasanth Thunguntla, M.S.

Senior Research Technician

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Prasanth is a Master's graduate of Texas Tech University. He focuses on determining the importance of downstream regulation of lncRNA-protein interactions in multiple myeloma. 

Sydney Anderson, B.S.

Opportunity in Genomics Research Extended Study Program Fellow

Sydney has a bachelor's degree from University of Pittsburgh in chemical engineering. She is focused on identifying differentially expressed lncRNAs in multiple myeloma single cell sequencing data.

Dr. Jess Bobble-Head

Bobble-head Investigator

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Dr. Bobble-Head oversees the lab from her high position on the shelf. Nodding away at the crazy exciting science going on in the lab.

Dr. J Lego

Scientist

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Dr. Lego is always by Dr. Bobble-Heads side. She cant wait to put down her flask.