2021

Degree Received: B.S., University of Wisconsin-Stout, 2015

Research: My research is focused on transcription factors, KLF2 and KLF3, in CD8 T cell migration and differentiation. I am focused on understanding how KLF2 and KLF3 influence memory CD8 T cell differentiation. If there is direct regulation of differentiation to circulating or resident memory populations or if regulation of trafficking molecules, and therefore location of the cells, is what is directing CD8 T cell memory differentiation.

Research: My research focuses on characterizing novel mammalian viruses documented during animal tissue sampling and cross-species transmission experiments. I am characterizing the genetic structure, infectivity, and tropism of a novel rhadinovirus in the Herpesviridae family. Additionally, I am utilizing pseudotyping systems to identify receptor tropism of a novel murine coronavirus, and more broadly studying the entry mechanics of coronavirus spike proteins in mammalian fibroblasts.

Research: Investigating the role of ADAM17 in cytokine priming for Cytokine Induced Memory Like (CIML) NK cells. Specifically, the underlying mechanism and potential influences on NK cell function, surface receptor expression, exhaustion, and proliferation.