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: I am exploring T cell specificity in the context of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.  This includes their interactions with antigen presenting cells and characterization of these T cells throughout the course of TB infection.  I will be using in vivo (murine) methods as well as analysis techniques such as single cell RNA/TCR sequencing and PIC-sequencing to in an effort to understand how antigen specificity may contribute to or direct T cell phenotype and activation.

Research: Currently my research is focused on evaluating the zoonotic potential of RNA viruses. More specifically, we are using transfection with positive sense viral RNA genomes to bypass entry and uncoating in order to directly study intracellular host restrictions on viral genome transcription and replication. To achieve this, we are in vitro transcribing a variety of RNA virus genomes from viral rescue systems and chemically transfecting them across a diverse selection of mammalian primary fibroblast cells.

Research: My research focuses on the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in the immune response to Dengue infection and how these interactions differ between host species. The end goal of this project is to generate a humanized STING transgenic mouse model that will be a better model for Dengue virus than the existing animal models. 

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.