Selcan Aydin

Selcan Aydin

Associate Computational Scientist

Munger Lab at The Jackson Laboratory

Biography

Hello, I’m Selcan Aydin, currently serving as an Associate Computational Scientist at The Jackson Laboratory. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, I completed my Ph.D. in Biology at Duke University. I worked with Drs. Nicolas Buchler and Paul Magwene at Duke, studying the impacts of genetic variation on cellular phenotypes in budding yeast, graduated in 2017.

After Duke, I moved to The Jackson Laboratory for a postdoctoral position, where I delved into the fascinating world of embryonic stem cells investigating the impact of genetic variation on cellular traits. My work now revolves around quantitative genetics and systems biology, particularly focusing on understanding genetic variation in mouse development.

Aside from research, I am passionate about teaching and mentoring. I supported struggling peers in math and science during my undergraduate studies, and later advocated for underrepresented groups in STEM fields throughout graduate school. More recently, I was a member of the Genetics Society of America’s Early Career Scientist Accessibility Subcommittee, advocating for scientists with disabilities and chronic illnesses by writing up resources and organizing workshops to inform our community of ways in which they can make their research, labs, classrooms, and management styles more accessible.

Outside of work, you’ll find me enjoying simple pleasures like spending time with my son, Leo, and our furry friend, Darwin. Hiking and gardening keep me grounded amidst the complexities of scientific exploration.

Interests

  • Quantitative Genetics
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Systems Biology

Education

  • PhD in Biology, 2017

    Duke University

  • MSc in Systems Biology, 2010

    Universitat Heidelberg

  • BSc in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, 2009

    Sabanci University

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Associate Computational Scientist

The Jackson Laboratory

Aug 2023 – Present Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
 
 
 
 
 

Postdoctoral Associate

The Jackson Laboratory

Jan 2018 – Jul 2023 Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
Studying the influence of genetic variation on cell fate decisions, focusing on pluripotency maintenance in mouse embryonic stem cells under the supervision of Dr. Steve Munger.
 
 
 
 
 

Research Associate

Duke University

Jun 2017 – Dec 2017 Durham, North Carolina, USA
Worked under the supervision of Dr. Paul Magwene and:

  • Developed an experimental high-throughput phenotyping pipeline for yeast strains and measured growth under various environmental and chemical stress conditions across a genetically diverse collection (n ~ 1000).
  • Segmented images using a novel image analysis software developed by Dr.Magwene and quantified growth phenotypes using custom scripts written in R and phyton.
  • Identified loci associated with variation in growth under various environmental and chemical stress conditions through genetic mapping.
 
 
 
 
 

PhD Candidate

Duke University

Aug 2010 – May 2017 Durham, North Carolina, USA
Investigated the effects of genetic variation on signaling dynamics using osmo-adaptation in budding yeast as a model phenotype under the supervision of Dr. Nicolas E. Buchler and Dr. Paul M. Magwene in the Department of Biology, Duke University.

  • Yeast molecular biology and genetics
  • Time-lapse microscopy and image analysis
  • Quantitative genetics
  • Data analysis using R, Phyton and MATLAB
  • Flow cytometry
 
 
 
 
 

Master student

University of Heidelberg

Oct 2009 – Aug 2011 Heidelberg, Germany
Modeled the Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α induced Nuclear Factor Kappa-light-chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) signaling using quantitative experimental data from primary murine hepatocytes. Mathematical modeling and parameter estimation under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ursula Kummer in in Bioquant Research Institute at University of Heidelberg.

  • Mathematical modeling
  • Parameter estimation
  • Parameter sensitivity analysis
  • Cellular signaling in hepatocytes

Research

Genetic variation influences pluripotency

In my postdoctoral research, I explored the influence of genetic variation on the stability of ground state pluripotency using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC). As part of a multi-investigator collaboration, we have used genetic mapping on chromatin accessibility, transcript, and protein abundance in a panel of ESCs derived from hundreds of genetically diverse mice.
Mar 20, 2024 3 min read

Mathematical modeling

My early career was focused on training in and applying systems biology approaches, particularly mathematical modeling, to biological processes. Under the supervision of Dr. Ursula Kummer, I modeled the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) induced activation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling using quantitative data from primary hepatocytes.
Mar 20, 2024 2 min read

Dissecting the effects of genetic variation on stress response

In nature, yeast grow in different niches ranging from trees to people and experience variability in osmolarity. Thus, one might expect to see large variation in the dynamics of osmo-adaptation (phenotype) across different strains (genotype) from diverse environments.
Mar 15, 2024 2 min read

Single cell analysis reveals different mechanisms of gene regulation

Through a collaboration with Proft Pascual-Ahuir lab, I studied the mechanisms of dose-dependent gene regulation in response to environmental stimuli. I measured nutrient stress response in single yeast cells using phase and luminescence microscopy and microfluidics.
Sep 7, 2020 1 min read

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