Click here to see Josh’s CV (PDF)
Josh is very interesting. Probably more interesting than you. We are sorry about this, but he is not, because he’s kind of a jerk that way. But, what else are you going to call a man who once disappeared in front of a crowded theater (twice), has celebrities tie his shoes for him[1], was identified as the epitome of freckled cuteness[2], and rides killer whales into battle[3]? Interesting, that’s what.
Anyway, he claims that this is all about inspiring people with curiosity about the world, helping them learn a few things about how to think about the world, and sneaking in some scientific concepts here and there. That sounds nice, but its a lie. Frankly, Josh tends to spend way too much time thinking about very interesting, but very unimportant things. Writing down those thoughts here helps him get on to his work Solving the Mysteries of the Universe.
He currently Solves the Mysteries of the Universe as a Career Development Fellow (fancy title for post-doc monkey) at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK in the laboratory of Jernej Ule where he researches the regulation splicing by RNA binding proteins. His PhD in molecular cell biology is from the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis) where he studied genetics and evolutionary biology, but maybe not that much molecular cell biology, in the laboratory of Barak Cohen. He received a BS from Duke University where he majored in biology with a concentration in genetics and minors in chemistry and history.
He is patiently tolerated by a saintly and brilliant wife. He is regularly and deservedly mocked by his older daughter, The Frogger. His younger daughter, The Bel, thinks he looks funny.
Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed here are entirely my own. They do not represent the opinion of the Medical Research Council or the Medical Research Council-Laboratory of Molecular Biology or anyone who might want to employee me in the future. Likewise, they do not represent the opinions of my former employers Washington University School of Medicine, Duke University, Cedarbrook Garden Center, or Just For Feet. They probably do not represent the opinions of anyone else you are likely to randomly meet walking down the street. They do not even represent Mike. He just puts up with me.
NOTES
- David Copperfield. He assisted in the disappearing.
- National modeling of Bob Evans hats on place mats. You may have eaten pancakes on my face.
- Shamu. “Battle” should be defined broadly in this instance.
PUBLICATIONS
Witten JT and J Ule. 2011. Understanding splicing regulation through RNA splicing maps. Trends in Genetics; March; 27(3-2): 89–97. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2010.12.001
Witten JT, CT Chen, BA Cohen. 2007. Complex genetic changes in strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived by selection in the laboratory. Genetics 177: 449-456. doi: 10.1534/genetics.107.077859
Tollervey JR, Z Wang, T Hortobágyi, M Kayikci, JT Witten, K Zarnack, TA Clark, AC Schweitzer, G Rot, T Curk, B Zupan, B Rogelj, CE Shaw, J Ule 2011. Analysis of alternative splicing associated with aging and neurodegeneration in the human brain. Genome Research; 21: 1572-1582. doi: 10.1101/gr.122226.111
Staloch LJ, JK Divine, JT Witten, TC Simon. 2005. C/EBP and Cdx family factors regulate liver fatty acid binding protein transgene expression in the small intestinal epithelium. Biochem Biophys Acta 1731(3):168-178. doi: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2005.08.014
Klopfer PH, J Huang, K Gruene, G Willis, J Gorski, S Patel, G Ramsey, N Cunningham, S Linquist, S Magaw, J Witten. 2002. The state of ethology. Animal Behavior Society Newsletter 47(3): 4-5.
