During my undergrad in the Mellies lab I researched sporulation and population dynamics of environmentally isolated bacteria with the ability to degrade plastic with the goal to optimize consortium dynamics and plastic degradation. Now, I am a RA II in the Tafesse lab where my work is focused on flaviviruses and their interaction and manipulation of host sphingolipids. Currently I am focused on infection models of ORMDL triple knockouts as well as defining their de novo sphingolipid metabolism. Not only do I enjoy microbiology and host path work, but am passionate about teaching having spent time at Reed college tutoring and TAing many classes with a hope to continue in the future.