UNMC researcher Polina Shcherbakova, Ph.D., answers questions about her work, life and interests.
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Polina Shcherbakova, Ph.D. |
- Name: Polina Shcherbakova, Ph.D.
- Title: assistant professor in the Eppley Institute
- Joined UNMC: 2003
- Hometown:I was born in Moscow, grew up in Chernogolovka, a small town in the suburbs of Moscow and lived for 10 years in St. Petersburg before moving to the U.S.
Describe your research in laymen’s terms.
Cancer results from genetic mutations. We study the mechanisms by which these mutations arise.
How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?
Our studies improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the high frequency of mutations in cancers. In the long run, this will help design strategies to control genomic instability, reduce cancer incidence, delay progression and improve the therapy outcome.
Name someone at UNMC who provides vital contributions to your success and briefly describe how they help you.
The most important contributions to my success are provided by my students and other lab members whose enthusiasm, dedication and lack of fear allowed us to reach the goals that I could not even dream about when I started my lab.
List three things few people know about you.
- In another life, I was a modern dance performer and choreographer.
- I enjoy singing and accompanying myself on a guitar.
- I am a second-generation geneticist. Both my parents work in the same field as me.