During her undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico, Kirsten Dimmler interned at EquiSeq, where she contributed to identifying mutations in candidate genes associated with equine muscle disease. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2018, she spent two years as a bioinformatics analyst at EquiSeq while also working as a veterinary assistant at a mixed-animal clinic. At EquiSeq, her work focused on investigating the effects of a missense mutation in the equine COL6A3 gene, which is linked to myopathy in humans.

In 2021, Kirsten joined the University of Minnesota’s Equine Genetics and Genomics Laboratory as a PhD student, where she is now a fourth-year PhD candidate. Her research focuses on developing a genomic prediction model for Equine Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. The long-term goal
of her work is to create a genetic test to predict a horse’s lifetime risk of developing RER based on key genetic loci.

Favorite Quote: "Not all those who wander are lost."
– J.R.R. Tolkien (from The Fellowship of the Ring)

You'd be surprised to learn that ... Kirsten has been high-fived by an American Badger.