About Me

My fascination with viruses began as an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where I joined Dr. James Van Etten's laboratory studying giant viruses that infect unicellular green algae. I quickly discovered that virology was the perfect blend of molecular biology, evolution, ecology, and a healthy dose of mystery, and I've been chasing viruses ever since.

​

My career has taken me from Nebraska to Baltimore and Memphis, where I've had the opportunity to study viruses from nearly every perspective imaginable. At Johns Hopkins, I worked in the laboratories of Drs. Robert Yolken and Lorraine Jones-Brando before earning my Ph.D. with Dr. Andrew Pekosz, investigating how influenza A viruses interact with host cells and how subtle changes in viral proteins influence disease. During my postdoctoral training with Dr. Stacey Schultz-Cherry at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, I studied how obesity alters influenza pathogenesis, developed novel primary respiratory cell culture systems, and helped develop neutralizing antibody assays during the COVID-19 pandemic.

​

After several teaching-focused faculty appointments, I joined Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2024, where I founded an undergraduate-driven research laboratory. Today, my group combines computational biology, virology, vector biology, and science education to better understand emerging and neglected viruses while creating meaningful research experiences for undergraduate students.

​

When I'm not in the classroom or the laboratory, you'll usually find me reading science fiction or fantasy, tracking down reports of legendary creatures as an enthusiastic amateur cryptozoologist, or spending time with my two daughters, my favorite adventure partners and constant reminder to stay curious.