Abbey Blake

Abbey holds a dual-major bachelor’s degree from MIT in Chemical-Biological Engineering and Biology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Metabolic Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research leverages innovative CRISPRi-based approach to investigate the role of human obesity genes in specific hypothalamic neurons, focusing on ciliopathy genes and their relationship to the leptin-melanocortin pathway.  She has developed and validated a novel in vivo method for delivering CRISPRi to neuronal subpopulations with temporal, spatial and cell-type specificity , enabling precise gene downregulation in targeted regions of the mouse brain.

Outside the lab, Abbey enjoys baking—especially anything involving chocolate and/or peanut butter—and exploring the beautiful hiking trails of the Bay Area.