Biography
Grimes received a B.S. degree in Microbiology (2006) and a M.S. degree in Molecular Biology with a Minor in Applied Statistics (2009) from New Mexico State University. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology with a Minor in Applied Statistics (2013) from New Mexico State University. Following her Ph.D. degree she completed two postdoctoral fellowships at the University of New Mexico.
Personal Statement
I have had a continued interest in drug discovery and experimental therapeutics. My research training has consisted of multiple model systems (plants, yeast, and mammalian) in which I have been able to gain valuable expertise and broad understanding of metabolic processes that have led to a better understanding of mechanisms underlying drug discoveries. My current project has provided the opportunity to investigate a novel therapeutic in the context of a human disease (ovarian cancer). I have an extensive range of experiences that encompass both mentoring and teaching besides research. I have gained unique opportunities through my time as an IRACDA-ASERT fellow to support and guide my efforts to become an effective mentor and productive researcher. Familiarity in multiple research fields enables me to be a better mentor and train students in the laboratory.
Areas of Specialty
Ovarian Cancer
Rho-family GTPases
EMT
Oxidative Stress
RNA-seq
Education
PhD, New Mexico State University, 2013 (Molecular Biology)
MS, New Mexico State University, 2009 (Molecular Biology)
BS, New Mexico State University, 2006 (Microbiology)
Achievements & Awards
NIH-NIGMS IRACDA Academic Science Education and Research Training Postdoctoral Fellow, 2013-2016
New Mexico NSF EPSCoR Post-Doctoral Leadership Award, 2015
National Research Mentoring Network Compact for Faculty Diversity Institute on Teaching and Mentoring Award, 2015-2016
The Faculty Research and Education Development Program Award, Minority Affairs Committee at The American Society for Cell Biology, 2016-2017
American Association for Cancer Research Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award, 2019
Key Publications
Journal Article
Grimes, Martha, M Kenney, Shelby, Ray Dominguez, Dayna, R Brayer, Katherine, J Guo, Yuna, Wandinger-Ness, Angela, Hudson, Laurie, G 2021 The R-enantiomer of ketorolac reduces ovarian cancer tumor burden in vivo BMC Cancer
Other
Hudson, Laurie, G Cook, Linda, S. Grimes, Martha, M Muller, Carolyn, Y. Adams, Sarah, E. Wandinger-Ness, Angela, 2019 Dual Actions of Ketorolac in Metastatic Ovarian Cancer CANCERS, 118,
Languages
- Spanish
Research and Scholarship
Grimes' interests are in the area of drug repurposing and novel experimental therapeutics in metastatic ovarian and breast cancer. She is now researching the mechanisms of anti-cancer actions for drug identification by high-throughput screening and gene expression analysis including RNA-sequencing. Her primary focus involves understanding the mechanism by which GTPase Rac1 regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer and the effectiveness of R-ketorolac, a Rac1 inhibitor, on blocking these responses in vivo, as work carried out in Dr. Laurie Hudson’s Laboratory.