Master's Student
Advisor
Dr. Clara Shaw (Biology)
Education
- B.A. Psychology and Spanish Studies - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- M.F.A Fashion Merchandising - Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Specialty Area
Molecular, cellular, and physiological biology with an emphasis on virology,
immunology, microbiology, cancer biology, and women's health.
Thesis Research
In my graduate work I will study host-virus interactions and disease
progression in the Caenorhabditis-Orsay virus model system. I am particularly interested in
understanding how the host microbiome influences viral susceptibility and if these responses
are conserved across different host species. My research will illuminate if biotic interactions
with bacteria can influence virus spillover dynamics. The Caenorhabditis-Orsay virus model
system is ideal in virology work because Orsay virus transmits naturally in large populations of
microscopic worms in controlled lab environments, mimicking large scale epidemics.
Importantly, the natural host for Orsay virus, Caenorhabditis elegans, is well studied and shares
over 70% of their genetic makeup with that of humans. The results of my work will establish
potential parallels between this host-virus model system and emergence events in humans that
can lead to global pandemics.