Research & Presentations

Research

Dissertation Research

I am passionate about amphibian physiology, so I am investigating the interaction of the gut microbiome and innate immune function in response to an amphibian pathogen in tadpoles. I will be applying the molecular skills that I learned while working with human tissue and mouse models as a Research Technician to an amphibian model to address this topic. Amphibians are a vulnerable group of animals and are particularly susceptible to environmental changes. Better understanding the relationship between the environment, the host, and the host-associated microbiota in the context of the immune system has implications for amphibian conservation and disease mitigation.

Presentations

Graduate Research Symposium 2026

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA March 2026

Poster title:

Preparing for Battle: Impacts of Pond Water on Tadpole Microbiome, Immune Priming, and Development

School of Science and Engineering GRS Excellence Award

SICB 2026

The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Portland, OR January 2026

Poster title:

Preparing for Battle: Impacts of Pond Water on Tadpole Microbiome, Immune Priming, and Development

Best Student Poster in the Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology

Celebrating Science in the Steel City

Outreach event organized by Backyard Nature

Pittsburgh, PA November 2025

Talk title:

Tadpoles Don't Eat Activia: The Tadpole Gut Microbiome and Its Importance

SICB 2025

The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Atlanta, GA January 2025

Poster title:

Tadpole gut microbiota acquired from natural environmental sources are responsive to dietary tannins

JMIH 2024

The Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

Pittsburgh, PA July 2024

Poster title:

Tadpole gut microbiota acquired from natural environmental sources are responsive to dietary tannins

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