Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cardiovascular Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College
PhD, Physiology, Medical College of Georgia
BS, Biology, University of Georgia
Research
The research focus of Dr. Hatcher’s lab is to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms
of normal cardiovascular development in order to pinpoint abnormal processes that
cause congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects are a prominent health concern
as they are found to occur in nearly 1% of all live births, and they account for a
significant number of pediatric and adult patients with cardiovascular disease. Her
investigations into cardiovascular development have led to the discoveries of novel
cardiovascular proteins that contribute to cell adhesion processes during coronary
vessel formation. In vitro and in vivo studies are being conducted to determine the
precise roles that these proteins play in governing cell behaviors that are integral
to coronary vessel formation and function.
Research keywords: congenital heart defect, cardiovascular development, cardiovascular
disease, coronary vessel, cell adhesion