Lily Ellzey

When and how did you realize that you wanted to study Genetics?

I realized I wanted to study genetics when I first learned about the inheritance of genetic diseases in my middle school science class. Doing Punnett squares and making pedigrees got me interested in the field.

Why did you choose the Genetics PhD program at A&M?

Between the excellent training program and facilities available, the wide range of highly qualified faculty, and the friendly and welcoming environment, it was a no-brainer.

If you were free to choose anything, what research question/topic would you like to address for your graduate studies?

I would like to look at how variants (known to cause disease or otherwise) of extracellular matrix proteins, particularly collagens, influence lymphangiogenesis.

Fun Facts:

What would be your dream job after graduation from the program?

I would like to be a professor! I have always wanted to teach and do research, and professors get to do both.

Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what are they.

I write fiction as a hobby.

Do you have any pets? If so, please tell us about them.

I have a black cat named VantaCat after the black paint VantaBlack. I didn’t realize that Vanta was an acronym when I named him, so I accidentally named my cat “vertically aligned nanotube array cat.”