Research: Defining mechanisms of virus adaptation across species in multiple virus systemsincluding SARS-CoV-2, poxviruses, and herpesviruses. Determining species-specificdifferences in host-virus interactions, using experimental evolution, transcriptomics, and proteomics to identify determinants of cross-species adaptation. Defining K3L- and GADD34-mediated antagonism ofthe host antiviral PKR pathway. Establishing new-to-the-laboratory genomic and proteomicanalyses, including Flye/Racon/Medaka pipelines for Nanopore data.Biosafety: Completed the Integrated Training for High-Containment BSL-3 Laboratoriesthrough the University of California, Irvine. Established standard operating procedures, training,and biosafety protocols to study SARS-CoV-2 in the departmental biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory shared between SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis researchers at the beginning of the pandemic.Rigorously trained four researchers for full BSL-3 certification to establish a SARS-CoV-2research capacity in the department. Coordinated protocol development and laboratory access between five stakeholder laboratories to ensure efficient use of the BSL-3 facilities.Lab Management: Maintaining lab safety certifications, chemical inventory, and othermanagement activities as needed.Mentoring: Direct supervisor for one postdoctoral scholar, and co-mentoring and training sixgraduate students and an additional postdoctoral scholar.

Research: Defining mechanisms of virus adaptation across species using a combined experimental evolution, transcriptomics, and proteomics approach. Determining species-specific differences in host-virus interactions, focusing on K3L- and GADD34-mediatedantagonism of the host antiviral PKR pathway.Lab Management: Maintaining lab safety certifications, chemical inventory, and othermanagement activities as needed.Mentoring: Direct supervisor for one postdoctoral scholar, and contribute to the mentoring andtraining of five graduate students.

Research: Investigated the mechanism of two experimentally evolved mutations that contribute to viral evasion of multiple host immune pathways using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis, RNASeq, and molecular biology. Defined differences in the presence of mycotoxins between commercial versus "boutique" dog food. Trained and mentored a research team of one PhD level scientist, three veterinary students, and one undergraduate student.Biosafety: Established standard operating procedures and biosafety protocols for the first vaccinia virus laboratory at Western University of Health Sciences. Established a CDC-mandated vaccinia virus vaccination program in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.Leadership: Vice-chair of the Student Affairs Committee. Established and led a monthly research in progress laboratory meeting involving 14 laboratories at Western U.Teaching: Graduate student advisory committee member for two students. Led four problem-based learning courses, earning outstanding student feedback and assisted in the design and implementation of practical and laboratory courses.

Combined evolutionary biology, retroviral transduction of primary cells, genomics, and molecular biology to investigate host-virus interactions. Demonstrated that gene amplification of a weak viral PKR antagonist increases virus replication in non-permissive primary cells from humans and multiple primate species, and identified two novel vaccinia virus mutations that contribute to viral inhibition of PKR in a species-specific manner. Mentored two undergraduate students, one of whom presented her research at the 2011 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science National Symposium.Accurately and succinctly communicated research findings in peer-reviewed publications, podium and poster presentations at international conferences, and to the general public in collaboration with the Pacific Science Center.Funding - American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship

As a member of the Science Spotlight team, I wrote a one page "News and Views" style summary of two recently published articles from the Division of Human Biology every month. Responsibilities included graphic design, uploading to the web page, peer editing, and serving as lead editor 3 times per year on a rotating basis. As lead editor I was responsible for approving the selected articles in consultation with the faculty sponsor, establishing deadlines and insuring the team met them, timely publication of everyone's articles, and editing and formatting the web site in consultation with the Fred Hutch IT services and Arnold Library.

Defined the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the phenotypic differences between pigtail and long-tail macaque TRIMCyp; genes thatI discovered as a graduate student in this laboratory.Substantial tissue culture and virus infectivity experience in BSL-2+/BSL-3 facilities, including primary T lymphocyte culture and ELISpot assays.Mentored two rotating graduate students and one undergraduate.

Worked in the laboratory of Sue VandeWoude as part of a multi-disciplinary team including zoo veterinarians, radiologists, pathologists and molecular biologists to demonstrate that neurologic symptoms in African lions chronically infected with lion lentivirus is not a direct effect of viral replication, similar to neurologic disease in humans infected with HIV.Developed a semi-quantitative PCR assay for lentiviral load in lion tissues. Assisted in caring for laboratory cat colony, including venipuncture and medication.

Developed diagnostic ELISAs for feline herpesvirus, canine distemper virus, and canine parvovirus.Isolated viruses using both sucrose and cesium chloride gradient ultracentrifugation.Performed diagnostic PCR and RT-PCR assays on submitted clinical samples.