My graduate training focused on osteoclast cell biology, specifically on signaling that represses osteoclast apoptosis.  I then continued with a cell signaling emphasis during my post-doctoral training, but shifted to study chondrocyte cell biology, cartilage development and osteoarthritis pathophysiology. This work examined functions of Hdac3 and Phlpp1, two chromatin modifiers, in cartilage development.  It also refined my molecular and epigenetic techniques.  During this time I was awarded two training grants, an F32 post-doctoral fellowship and a K01 Career Development Award.  In my K01 mentored work, we were the first to demonstrate that the protein phosphatase Phlpp1 controls bone mass accrual and maintenance.  In these studies, we found that Phlpp1 contributes to cartilage development and OA and have also contributed to our understanding of how transcription of the Phlpp1 gene is epigenetically controlled. Simultaneously, we were amongst the first to demonstrate the importance of histone deacetylases in cartilage development.