Experience

The College of Saint Rose

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Assistant Professor, Microbiology

  • Jul 2018 - Present

  I teach lecture and lab courses in Microbiology, Immunology, Pathogenic Microbiology, and non-majors biology courses. I teach a lecture session of our Introductory Biology course for biology majors. I also regularly mentor undergraduate student researchers in the areas of the oral microbiome, and microbial ecology. My service activities include serving on the E-board of CapSci, a local non-profit that regularly runs science outreach events for adults and children in the Capital Region of New York State. I also serve as Vice-President of the Albany Area Chapter of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society. Show less



College of St. Rose

• Visiting Instructor

  • Aug 2017 - Jun 2018

  I was a Visiting Instructor in Microbiology at the College of St. Rose. In addition to Microbiology, my courses include Biology for non-science majors and Immunology. I was a Visiting Instructor in Microbiology at the College of St. Rose. In addition to Microbiology, my courses include Biology for non-science majors and Immunology.



Discover Magazine

• United States
• Internet Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fact Checker

  • Jan 2013 - Jan 2018

  I fact-checked articles on various topics including astronomy, paleontology, geology, and health. Responsibilities included reviewing word-choice for scientific accuracy, and following up with experts to confirm information and/or interview details. I fact-checked articles on various topics including astronomy, paleontology, geology, and health. Responsibilities included reviewing word-choice for scientific accuracy, and following up with experts to confirm information and/or interview details.



Wadsworth Center, NYS Department of Health

• United States
• Research Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Postdoctoral Researcher

  • Nov 2015 - Aug 2017

  I researched M. tuberculosis (Mtb), the cause of tuberculosis disease, with the goal of better understanding how this bacterial pathogen responds to and exploits the human host environment. Estimates from the World Health Organization indicate over a third of the world's population is infected with Mtb. The rise in Mtb strains resistant to current antibiotics, plus complications from co-infection with HIV, make tuberculosis a critical global public health threat. The research in Dr. Kathleen McDonough's lab is focused on understanding how Mtb responds to environmental changes within the human lung in order to survive and cause disease. Show less



UMass Chan Medical School

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• PhD Candidate

  • Jul 2009 - Dec 2015

  I earned my Ph.D in the field of Biomedical Sciences in the lab of Dr. Beth McCormick. My work focused on investigating the pathogenesis of Salmonella enterica subtype Typhimurium. My project focused on understanding how the Salmonella protein SipA interacts with human colonic epithelial cells to cause inflammation. Through my project, we found that a mammalian transmembrane protein called PERP is critical to the ability of SipA to induce inflammation. This was the first time PERP was described to play a role in regulating inflammation in response to a pathogen. Further, other evidence from my work indicates a broader role for PERP in regulating inflammation in the intestinal environment, making it an interesting factor to explore in chronic inflammatory bowel illnesses. Please see publications for more information. Show less

• Research Associate

  • Jun 2007 - Jun 2009

  I worked as a Research Associate in a cancer biology lab focused on understanding erythropoiesis. In addition to my research work (see publications), I maintained our mouse colony and was in charge of ordering lab supplies.



Clark University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Researcher

  • Dec 2006 - May 2007

  I worked on an independent group research project under the guidance of Dr. Heidi Larson. We focused on examining risks and rumors associated with HIV/AIDS infection amongst youth in the Middle East and North Africa region. For this work, we collected surveys and interviews with individuals in this area and asked what myths/rumors impacted their perception on their likelihood of acquiring HIV, and how that affected their social behaviors.

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2005 - May 2007

  I was an undergraduate Research Assistant in the lab of Dr. David Hibbett investigating the ecology and molecular evolution of mushroom-forming fungi. My work focused on examining the potential for a nitrate-transporting protein, NRT2, to serve as a useful phylogentic marker. See publications for details on projects with which I assisted.



Pfizer, Inc

• Groton, CT

• Undergraduate Summer Intern

  • 2003 - 2005

  I held three undergraduate organic chemistry internships (summer of 2003, 2004, and 2005). My work was focused on improving the synthesis of drug intermediates (see publication). I held three undergraduate organic chemistry internships (summer of 2003, 2004, and 2005). My work was focused on improving the synthesis of drug intermediates (see publication).