Biography

Duncan is a UCSB graduate student (PhD), who joined the Arias Lab in the spring of 2018. Prior to pursuing a PhD, Duncan was an undergraduate in the College of Creative Studies Biology program and gained research experience in both Dr. Douglas McCauley’s and Dr. Stuart Feinstein’s labs. As a graduate student, Duncan’s research interests have shifted to the junction of virology and developmental biology; his research is also co-mentored by Dr. Dennis Clegg. He is interested in how Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure during gestation results in severe neurological disorders, visual impairment, and abnormal eye development in infants. To explore the effects of ZIKV on eye development and health, Duncan is studying retinal cells infected by ZIKV in culture. His focus is on the activation and inhibition of cellular stress responses by ZIKV and their impact on cell survival. This research aims to further elucidate our understanding of the pathogenesis of ZIKV infection of the eye. When he has free time, Duncan enjoys hiking in the local mountains, getting in the occasional ski trip, and watching Star Wars.

Research Area

Duncan is a Ph.D. student interested in the effects of Zika virus on eye development and health, primarily pertaining to the activation and inhibition of cellular stress responses by Zika