|
Brief Biography
Originally raised in the foothills of the Adirondacks with my parents and two younger sisters, I have been living among Ithaca’s gorges for the past 10 years now! Fortunately, I am enjoying my time here and greatly appreciate the year-round opportunities the area offers for getting outdoors. My two dogs love to accompany me on the trails while I hike, run or ski. Much of my indoor time over the years has been spent at Cornell working towards my undergraduate, then veterinary and graduate, degrees. These have certainly kept me busy, but have allowed for a broad education that will provide a solid foundation for my planned career in academic research and teaching.
Education
BS in Biological Science
Cornell University
Research Interests
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an excellent model system for studying viral emergence, the process by which a virus alters its host range and subsequently adapts to its new host. My current research is aimed at better understanding, at the molecular level, how CPV adapted to its new canine host. To this end, I have constructed mutant viruses that contain various combinations of changes in the amino acid sequence of the capsid protein between the original variant (CPV-2) and a newer variant (CPV-2b). I am now testing these intermediate viruses for viability, infectivity and antigenicity. The relative fitness of viable intermediate viruses will provide insight into the evolutionary history of CPV, and will hopefully provide a clearer understanding of the selection pressures placed on the virus during its adaptation to the canine host.
Publications & Presentations
Baker Institute Seminar, 1/25/05, entitled "Capsid Protein Changes During the Evolution of Canine Parvovirus in Canine and Feline Host Ranges – Testing the Roles of Four Natural Mutations"
Poster for Xth Parvovirus Workshop, entitled "Canine Parvovirus Infection in Two Strains of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) Cells – Variable Cell Susceptibility and Relationship to Virus Strain Differences"
Poster for ASV 2004, entitled "Regulation of Canine Parvovirus Infection in Two Strains of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells"
Baker Institute Seminar, 3/9/04, and Work-in-Progress Department Seminar, 12/15/03, entitled "Host Range Evolution of Canine Parvovirus – Examining the Controls of Infection in Two Strains of MDCK Cells"
|
