Laboratory of sex differences in human biology
Established 2024 at Duke University School of Medicine
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Center for Advanced Genomics Technologies
Welcome!
There are widespread sex differences in human phenotypes, but their causes remain poorly understood. Our goal is to define the molecular mechanisms driving sex differences in human biology to advance healthcare across the spectrum of sex.
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What we do and why we do it
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How we do science
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Who is on the team
Featured publications
Lab receives grant from the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation!
6/1/26 This funding will support Maike’s project to investigate genetic mechanisms of sex differences in colorectal cancer, in collaboration with Jatin Roper’s lab. We are thrilled to have the support of the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation!
Mahitha graduates from Carnegie Mellon!
5/10/26 Mahitha received her BS in Biological Sciences with honors. She also received the Fugassi and Monteverde Award! Mahitha spent the summer of 2025 with us as an Amgen Scholar. Mahitha will be doing research as a Postbaccalaureate Fellow at the NIH for the next two years. Congratulations, Mahitha!
Hannah and Maike present their research at the EMBL Sex Differences Meeting in Heidelberg, Germany!
4/27/26
Molly is accepted to PhD program!
4/15/26 She will be attending the Genetics and Genomics Scholars Program at NC State University starting this summer! Congratulations, Molly!
Lab News
London Mitchell joins the lab for the summer as an Amgen Scholar!
5/18/26 London is rising senior undergraduate Molecular Biology and Biotechnology major at North Park University and has joined the San Roman lab for the summer as an Amgen Scholar. She has conducted undergraduate research at Indiana University, Northwestern University, and North Park University, and is excited to continue learning about human genetics and sex determination this summer! In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and playing guitar.
We received our first NIH funding!
5/8/26 The lab received our first NIH funding from the National Human Genome Research Institute!! We are part of a Centers of Excellence in Genomic Sciences team: The Duke Center for Combinatorial Gene Regulation. Our goal is to develop multigenic approaches to control gene expression in health and disease.
Adrianna Presents at the Department of Genetics Seminar Series at the University of Georgia
4/23/26
Our first X-plainers blog post is live!
4/13/26 Come learn about X chromosome inactivation - one of the topics that our lab is actively researching! Read the blog post here.
Vivian Graduates from Duke!
5/10/26 Vivian received her BA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and BS in Chemistry. Vivian spent the last two years working with us, obtained independent research funding for her work, and completed the first undergraduate thesis in the lab. She will be applying to dental school this year! Congratulations, Vivian - we will miss you!
Alia wins Duke Precision Genomics Collaboratory Pilot Award!
5/4/26 This award will support Alia’s project investigating evolution of sex chromosome genes. Congratulations, Alia!
Alia passes prelim exam!
4/17/26 Alia is now a PhD Candidate! Congratulations, Alia!
Molly receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship!
4/13/26 This national fellowship will support Molly’s graduate training for three years! Stay tuned for where she decides to go to graduate school! Congratulations, Molly!