Projects during my Master's
M.S. from Northern Arizona University 2012-2014
In addition to my thesis field work, my summer consisted of trapping small rodents throughout the Grand Canyon and collecting blood samples in order to evaluate the tick-borne pathogens present (Anaplasma, Babesia, Borrelia, and Rickettsia species). Full specimens of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were collected along with pure blood samples in order to assess the presence of Hantavirus in the area. These were done under BSL-3 field conditions.
Summer 2013 & Spring 2014 |
After I obtained my M.S., I was given the opportunity to work in Dr. Troy Bankhead's lab on the immune avoidance mechanisms of the Lyme disease pathogen (Borrelia burgdorferi) during the enzootic cycle. I learned and mastered many cell culturing and DNA manipulation techniques in this research position. Summer 2014 |