Dr. Kandace N. Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Eastern University, teaching both lower and upper-level biology courses. Dr. Thomas earned her PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021. Dr. Thomas investigated the developmental process of adherens junction (AJs) regulation in cardiac pacemaker cells (CPCs) of the sinoatrial node, in the chicken heart. She completed her dissertation under the guidance of Dr. Michael Bressan, in a cell biology and physiology focused lab. She also has numerous certificates in college teaching and cardiovascular science. Furthermore, she is professionally trained as a science outreach representative for the public. Given her interdisciplinary education, Dr. Thomas has a wide spectrum of research interests and potential projects for undergraduates interested in cardiology. She utilizes the embryonic chicken as a research system, to introduce and study genetic modifications relating to the heart’s electrochemical dynamics. Currently, Dr. Thomas’ research is focused on understanding how FLRT3 (an AJ antagonist) regulates CPCs biology, using in vitro transfection systems, fluorescence microscopy, and computer imaging software as tools. This involves keeping fertilized chicken eggs in the lab, to collect data on transfected heart cells. As little is known about the cellular mechanics that influence CPC genetics and physiology, this investigation can lead to many projects looking at functional protein domains, gap junctions, CPC transcriptional landscapes and more! Dr. Thomas’ research program is focused on providing undergraduate research experiences that foster interdisciplinary knowledge and investigate human health related issues.
Education
- Ph.D., Genetics and Molecular Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Certificate, Cardiovascular Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Certificate, CIRTL College Teaching, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- BS, Biology, Eastern University
Classes Taught
- BIOL 104/104L – Human Biology and Lab
- BIOL 152L – General Biology Lab
- BIOL 344, 345 – Molecular Biology and Lab
- BIOL 426- Senior Thesis Directed Research (co-taught)
- BIOL 499- Research assistantship (co-taught)
Research Interests
Dr. Thomas’ research focuses on the following areas:
- Cardiac pacemaker cells
- In vivo genetic modification with mosaic analysis
- Adherens junctions
- Cardiac electrophysiology
- Chicken embryonic transfection
Professional Association
- American Heart Association (AHA)
Publications
Thomas K, Henley T, Bai X, Taylor J, Costello MJ, Bressan M. Adherens Junction Engagement Regulates Functional Patterning of the Cardiac Pacemaker Cell Lineage. Developmental Cell. 05/2021; 56(10):1498-1511.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.04.004
Henley T, Thomas K, Bressan M. Microinjection-based System for in vivo Implantation of Embryonic Cardiomyocytes in the Avian Embryo. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 02/2019;17:144. doi: 10.3791/59267.
Thomas K, Goudy J, Henley T, Bressan M. Optical electrophysiology in the developing heart. Journal of cardiovascular development and disease. 05/2018;5(2):28. doi: 10.3390/jcdd5020028.
Eblimit A, Zaneveld SA, Liu W, Thomas K, Wang K, Li Y, Mardon G, Chen R. NMNAT1 E257K variant, associated with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA9), causes a mild retinal degeneration phenotype. Experimental eye research. 04/2018;173:32-43. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.04.010.
Eblimit A, Agrawal SA, Thomas K, Anastassov IA, Abulikemu T, Moayedi Y, Mardon G, Chen R. Conditional loss of Spata7 in photoreceptors causes progressive retinal degeneration in mice. Experimental eye research. 01/2018;166:120-130. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.10.015.
Dharmat R, Liu W, Ge Z, Sun Z, Yang L, Li Y, Wang K, Thomas K, Sui R, Chen R. IFT81 as a candidate gene for nonsyndromic retinal degeneration. Investigative ophthalmology and visual science. 05/2017;58:2483-2490. doi: 10.1167/iovs.16