Caitlin D Hanlon

Dr. Caitlin Hanlon joined Quinnipiac University in Fall 2018 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. Over the past two years, she has taught Human Genetics (BIO382/L), Genetics (BIO282/L), Science and Society (BIO106), and a CAS Capstone (CAS420; “Monsters, Mutants, and Meaning”). In each of these courses, Dr. Hanlon strives to interweave the facts of basic science with humanistic insight of how genetic issues present in our day-to-day lives.

Dr. Hanlon’s research focuses on the characterization of Drosophila (fruit fly) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) during embryonic development. GPCRs are one of the largest and most widely expressed protein families, found in all manners of life from bacteria to humans. Despite GPCR’s prominence throughout biology, they have been surprisingly understudied during Drosophila development. Dr. Hanlon’s research allow students to explore questions relating to genetics, cell biology, and developmental biology. More recently, she has leveraged her research training to better understand how the Blacklegged tick is able to transmit disease.

Dr. Hanlon currently serves as the faculty liaison to the Natural Sciences Living and Learning Community. She is also a member of the Student Affairs committee and the QUWAC Steering Committee.