I am a curious and eager rising second year PhD student in the
Microbiology and Immunology program here at the University of Texas Medical
Branch (UTMB). Prior to beginning my PhD journey, I earned a BS in Microbiology
& Biotechnology (2018) and an MS in Biology with an emphasis in Immunology
at Missouri State University (2019). After earning my masters, I explored a
variety of scientific job sectors such as a research associate/lab manager, an
adjunct teacher and tutor in biology/bioclinical sciences, a contact tracer
during the height of COVID-19 in 2020, and a yearlong postbacc in government at
the US FDA before returning to school to pursue my PhD.
My current research in Dr. Samir and Dr.
Freiberg’s labs focuses on studying pathogenicity of viral diseases driven by
cell death via multi-protein complexes, known as inflammasomes. Specifically,
my current project is investigating varied pathogenicity seen during Rift
Valley Fever Virus (RVFV). Rift Valley fever (RVF), a viral disease that is
endemic to sub-Sahara Africa and Saudi Arabia, is most commonly seen in
agricultural animals, such as cattle, camels, sheep, and goats. However, humans
are at risk for RVF by not only coming into contact with body fluids, tissues,
and blood of infected animals, but also by mosquito bites. In 8-10% of cases,
RVF can become severe, developing into encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever and
ocular disease. My current project allows me to combine my background of innate
immunology to my love of vector-borne viruses —it’s a dream project, for sure!
I am humbled daily by the opportunity to
pursue my PhD, especially at an institute of such caliber like UTMB. My
academic journey is long-winded, with many bumps in the road. But these have
made me resilient and tenacious. As a young girl, I struggled in science, so
much so that I had to attend a specialized after-school program at a local
Science Center to catch up to my peers. That is where my love of science became
reality! At 9 years old, I got to dissect a bovine eyeball, play scientific
detective by investigating the uniqueness of fingerprints, see and experience
the beauty of science and the differences scientists make. Soon after, as a 6th
grader, I learned about Dr. Marie Curie, and dreamed of being a scientist.
Since then, by pursing my curiosity of infectious diseases and immunology, I
feel my constant curiosity, desire to learn, and need to challenge myself fits
perfectly into a career of scientific research. Without the support and
training from my current and previous labs, mentors, and professors, I do not
believe I would be where I am today.