Fausett, Sarah

Though separated from us by at least 600 million years of evolution, Caenorhabditis nematodes use a remarkably conserved tool-kit of genes to navigate the challenges and dangers of being alive on planet Earth. Oxidative stress, UV light, and excessive heat represent only a few of the miseries that plague our cells, leading to disease, aging, and death. Like us, these little worms deftly navigate an onslaught of stressors in their environment all while finding enough food to grow up and make babies, securing the immortality of their genes. The mysteries of this ability are largely taken for granted, and yet, could provide important clues for the prevention of age-related disease. My research takes advantage of the elegant simplicity of nematodes to probe the genetics and physiology of growth, stress resistance, aging, and reproduction at the level of the whole organism and in the context of its evolutionary fitness.

I take teaching very seriously, striving to implement state-of-the-art pedagogical techniques while keeping my eye on designing and meeting learning outcomes that are critical for student success in the workforce and in society. I use every opportunity to engage students in active learning and writing to enhance their science and information literacy.

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