Interview with Cameron (Cam) Bussey-Sutton a Postbaccalaureate Research Technician in the Strahl Lab.
Strahl Lab Research
The Strahl lab focuses on the role of histone post-translational modifications. Our long-term goal is to understand how the distinct types of modifications known to occur on histones contribute to a possible ‘histone code’ (Strahl & Allis Nature 2000) and to human biology and disease. My collaborative projects with the UNC HIV CURE Center delve into the epigenetic regulation of HIV latency, focusing on overcoming the transcriptional silencing that allows the virus to persist in patients and hampers efforts to eradicate it. I work to expand the limited repertoire of drugs for targeting latently infected cells by testing latency-reversing agents and investigating their underlying mechanisms.
When did you join the Strahl Lab?
I joined the Strahl lab in September of 2020.
What is it like being part of a team?
The Strahl Lab is one big, awesome team. Every day, I’m teaming up with my coworkers, swapping ideas and insights on all sorts of projects. We all have our own skills and know-how, and it’s super helpful to share that expertise to help each other out. It’s really cool to have people around who support you and genuinely care about what you’re doing! This supportive culture exists at every level in our lab, from our leader, Dr. Brian Strahl, right down to our dedicated undergraduates.
What is your typical day like?
My typical day starts with a quick glance at my calendar to map out the experiments I need to tackle. After that, I prepare all the reagents and set up the equipment I’ll need, then I get started! When I’m not busy with experiments, you’ll often find me in meetings or tuning into webinars, always balancing these commitments and educational opportunities with my hands-on lab work.
Educational background
I received my Bachelor of Science major in Biology and minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2020.
Where are you from?
I am originally from South Florida but moved to North Carolina my junior year of high school. I went to UNC for undergrad, met my wife in the front row of our biochemistry course and have lived in Chapel Hill since!
Fun facts
I also work on the weekends as a CNA at UNC Health Main Campus, volunteer with the Big Brother Big Sister program, and am co-chair of the Town’s Justice In Action Committee. In our free time, my wife and I like to play board games, walk/hike trails with our dogs, and exercise. My wife, Olivia, is a medical student at UNC!
Do you have any pets?
Yes, we have two fur babies Lana and Marlowe!
Future plans?
I am currently training for my first triathlon at the end of the month!
I hope to matriculate into medical school in the fall of 2024!