Flanagan-Steet, Heather

Dr. Flanagan-Steet’s research has largely focused on defining the mechanisms governing early tissue development. This has ranged from investigating how neuromuscular synapses form to the development of the embryonic heart and craniofacial skeleton.

Over the last thirteen years, Dr. Flanagan-Steet’s efforts have centered on defining the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of rare genetic diseases. This has included several lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) as well as the congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs). Her work on genetic diseases has largely involved generating zebrafish models to investigate gene function and disease pathogenesis. Her work pioneered the use of zebrafish to model rare inherited diseases, bringing new insight into the molecular initiators and mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of mucolipidosis II and PMM2-CDG. The success of these studies has been augmented by her long-time collaboration with her colleague and spouse, Dr. Richard Steet.

In her role as Director of Functional Studies, she works closely with the Center’s tremendous team to advance our understanding of rare diseases.

Dr. Flanagan-Steet’s Active Research Project Page

Contact Information

Office: (864) 388-1806
Fax (864) 388-1707
[email protected]

Education

• B.A. (Biology), Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 1994
• Ph.D. (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology), University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, 2001
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO  2001-2005

Professional Appointments

• Director of Aquatic Operations, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 2006-2018
• Assistant Research Professor, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 2009-2013
• Graduate Faculty,  Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, 2011-2018
• Associate Research Professor, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 2013-2018
• Director of Functional Studies, Greenwood Genetic Center, 2018-present

Other Appointments and Professional Service

• Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 2018-present

Awards and Honors

• Recipient of William H. Keck Post-doctoral Fellowship, Washington University, 2002-2003
• Recipient of Merlie Fund Post-doctoral Fellowship, Washington University, 2003-2004