This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on March 9 for UNMC’s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.
New Investigator
The New Investigator Award is given to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past two years have secured their first funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense or other national sources. New investigators also had to demonstrate scholarly activity, such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
- Name: Jordan Rowley, PhD
- Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, and director of Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Program
- Joined UNMC: 2019
- Hometown: Payson, Utah
Please describe your research focus in three words or less: 3D genome organization
Why is research important in the world today?
Scientific inquiry drives humanity forward, improving length and quality of life. Many of the most important discoveries have come from a passion for discovery and interrogation of the basics. Fundamental principles govern basic molecular processes, and uncovering those principles has provided some of the most impactful insights. Famous examples include the discovery of RNAi from studying worms and plants, CRISPR from studying bacteria and X-linked inheritance from studying flies. I believe that researching basic principles of life is key to innovation and a backbone of scientific discovery.
My research will make a difference because:
My research seeks to uncover the relationship between gene expression and the folding of DNA in three dimensions. We can discover how aberrant genome architecture impacts disease by revealing basic principles that govern 3D genome architecture and gene regulation. By predicting genome architecture, we can uncover novel target loci in non-coding regions of the genome that interact with genes within the 3D regulatory landscape. This research involves advanced molecular biology approaches, as well as innovative bioinformatics, with the creation of new software to facilitate these discoveries.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Research whatever makes you passionate. If you let science lead the direction of your research, new discoveries will follow that improve human health.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I enjoy experimenting with baking, especially pastries.
- My first child was born while I was completing my bachelor’s degree.
- I enjoy geocaching with my family, and we previously earned the Georgia’s bronze geocache medal.
Congratulations, Dr. Rowley.
Congratulations Dr. Jordan Rowley!
Congratulations Dr.Rowley!!