IRACDA Scholar: Brenda Delamonica, Ph.D.
Brenda Delamonica
PhD: Applied Mathematics & Statistics
IRACDA Placement: Ecology & Evolution
Email: brenda.delamonica@stonybrook.edu
Brenda is interested in using mathematical and computational methods to understand evolutionary behavior. Her research focuses on APOBEC3-mediated interactions in viruses and cancer. APOBEC3 is a family of cytosine deaminating enzymes which are a part of mammalian innate immunity. They have different evolutionary trajectories across species, have complex interactions with viruses and are found to be involved in cancer evolution. She has previously studied how dynamic systems and bifurcation theory can model metastatic cell behavior, the evolutionary potential of the monkeypox genome under APOBEC3- meditated mutagenesis and the evolutionary dynamics of the gene family of APOBEC3 in bats. The two major projects are 1) using deep learning and other mathematical methods to identify immune genes in non-human unannotated genomes to then statistically demonstrate the relationship between those genes and viral immunity and 2) develop mathematical models which describe observed mutational behavior in cancers which can be validated experimentally to better understand evolutionary oncology.
Why I chose to join Stony Brook IRACDA :
IRACDA has a history of setting up its postdoctoral fellows for success. As a part of the CIE, the IRACDA program allows its scholars to be part of a great community on campus. The career development opportunities, workshops and connections with other institutions all make it a very favorable program for me.