Degree

• PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, 2007
• BS, Zoology, University of New Hampshire, 1999

Training

• Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health. Research Mentor Dr. Douglas Forrest
• Ph.D. training with R. Thomas Zoeller

Research Interests

• Thyroid hormone action in development
• Thyroid hormone and Igf1 in Brain Development
• Thyroid hormone transporters
• Thyroid disruptors (endocrine disruptors)
• Auditory system development
• Brain Development

Research in my laboratory focuses on understanding the role of thyroid hormone during development of the nervous system and sensory systems. We are particularly interested in understanding the molecular and cellular basis of neurocognitive and auditory deficits associated with insufficient thyroid hormone during development as a result congenital thyroid diseases. The lab also has a strong commitment in determining the mechanisms by which endocrine disrupting chemicals may interfere with the capacity of thyroid hormone to direct development of the nervous system.

I regularly teach a Human Anatomy (lecture/lab BIOL220/BIOL325), Developmental Biology (lecture/lab BIOL424/425), and contribute to the NSF funded RISEbio Program. I also support students in Independent Study (undergraduate research, BIOL499).  My goal in teaching is to provide material in a way such that it fosters critical thinking and permits students to develop as independent thinkers.

Sharlin Lab News

January 2025: New year - new adventure! The Sharlin Lab offically launches a RISEbio Research Stream. The Thyroid Hormone, Environment, and Development Research Stream will focus on research related ti thyroid disrupting chemicals. Stay tuned for updates, but in the meantime, please check out the RISEbio Program student run blog.

November 2024: Congratulations to Nathalia for being awarded a $1000 Graduate Student Research Grant from the Office of Research and Sponsored Funding.

October 2024: FUNDING ALERT!! Congratualtions to Alisha and Nicole who were awarded a Foundation Grant from Uiversity Advancement through the Undergraduate Research Center. 

June 2024: Congratulations to Emily Gregersen who recently presented her thesis research at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO 2024). ENDO is the premier global conference for endocrine professionals. Additionally, Emily’s abstract was selected from thousands of submitted abstracts to receive an Outstanding Abstract Award which provided a $500 travel award.

April 2024: As part of the University's annual celebration of research, our group was highlighted in a promotional video. Check it out here:

March 2024: Dr. Sharlin was an invited symposium speaker at the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The symposium "Thyroid System Disrupting Chemicals and the Developing Brain" brought together leaders in the field to discuss impact of thyroid disruption on nervous system development.

November 2023: FUNDING ALERT!! Congratualtions to Emily for being awarded the Graduate Student Research Grant from the Office of Research and Sponsored Funding. We are also excited to announce that Matthew and D'Aaliyah were awarded a Foundation Grant for the second year in a row and that Ainslee and James were awarded a Supply grant from the Undergraduate Research Center. 

August 2023: We welcome two new Biology MS students to the lab. Kendra is a Minnesota native and a recent graduate of Bemidji State University where she is majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Nathalia is from Bogota, Columbia and graduated this past spring from the Universidad De Los Andes where she studied Biomedical Engineering with focus on neuroscience. The lab group is super excited to have them joining the lab!

July 2023: Super fun Sharlin Lab reunion in Cartagena, Columbia for Maria and Sam's wedding. What a beautiful country and wedding. Congratulations Maria and Sam.

May 2023: Double Awards! Congrats to Ainslee, James, D'Aaliyah, and Matthew who were all selected for outstanding presentations awards at the 2023 URS. The Sharlin Lab recieved 2 of 4 total awards.

April 2023: Congratulations to Ainslee, James, D'Aaliyah, and Matthew on their fantastic presentations at the 2023 Undergradaute Research Sympoisum hosted by the Undergraduate Research Center. 

November 2022: Funding Alert! Congratulations to undergraduates D'Aaliyah Johnson and Matthew Jensen for being awarded a University Foundation Grant from the Undergraduate Research Center. The Foundation Grant proivdes a $1,000 stipend and a $1,000 in supplies.

August 2022: The Sharlin Lab welcomes new Biology MS student Emily Gregersen.

April 2022: Huge props to Jane Sakowiz and Jessica Wimp on the successful defense of their honors program portfolios. And congratulations to Jessica for being selected to give the senior address at the honors banquet!

April 2022: Congratulations to Jessica Wimp and Ainsless Hemmen on their fantastic presentation at the 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium - LIVE. Click here to see all the poster presenters from Biology.

March 2022: We are humbled to announce that Dr. Sharlin has been awarded two University awards - the Douglas R. Moore Research Lectureship and the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award.

January 2022: Sharlin Lab welcomes new undergraduate researchers! We are excited that Ainslee Hemmen (Biochem), D'Aaliyah Johnson (Biomedical Sciences), Matthew Jensen (Biochem), Ellie Cha (MLS), and Oltjona Muca (Biomedical Sciences) are joining our team.

April 2021: Congratulations to Jane Sakowiz, Amyah Ockenga, Lauren Krieg, and Jessica Wimp on their fantastic presentations at the virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Your hard work is evident!

November 2020: Funding Alert! Congratulations to undergraduates Jane Sakowiz, Amyah Ockenga, Lauren Krieg, and Jessica Wimp for being awarded Supply Grants from the Undergraduate Research Center.

August 2020: The Sharlin Lab welcomes new Biology MS student Prathibha Mangedarage. We also welcome undergraduates Jane Sakowiz,  Amyah Ockenga, and Jessica Wimp.

June 2020: CONGRATULATIONS to graduate student Maria Uscategui Calderon on successful thesis defense!  Maria is leaving us to start her PhD in the Molecular and Developmental Biology Program at Cincinnati Childrens.