Shane Crotty LabInvestigated how B cells and CD4 T cells can be modulated to enhance responses to an HIV protein immunization in NHPs and how Tfh play a role in the develop of broadly neutralizing antibodies in humans• Customized 10X Genomics V(D)J sequencing technology for rhesus macaque• Played critical role in the success of several NHP immunization studies, designing immunization and sampling schedules and SOPs, coordinating the roles of numerous labs, and performing B cell and T cell antigen-specificity experiments• Examined the effects of several HIV immunization modalities on germinal center and humoral responses in NHPs, identifying slow delivery immunization as a method to enhance responses• Optimized a live-cell assay to identify very rare antigen-specific CD4 cells in HIV-infected and immunized individuals• Studied the quantitative and qualitative differences in HIV-specific CD4 T cell responses in HIV-infected donors to identify immunological parameters that contribute to broadly neutralizing antibody development• Developed a high-throughput flow cytometry-based screen to identify novel regulators of human B cell differentiation used in collaboration with the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation• Delivered oral presentations at three Keystone Symposia (two plenary and one workshop session)

Jeroen Saeij LabInvestigated the role of the inflammasomes in rodent resistance to Toxoplasma gondii.• Developed a rat macrophage model of Toxoplasma gondii infection • Determined Toxoplasma activates the rat NLRP1 inflammasome and induces host cell death, restricting parasitemia• Demonstrated that NLRP3 is the predominant inflammasome activated by Toxoplasma in mice in vitro and in vivo• Identified and characterized three parasite genes required for activation of the rat NLRP1 inflammasome • Supported by NIH F31 Predoctoral FellowshipTeaching Experience:• Advised undergraduate student in experimental design and techniques to investigate the role of Immune-related GTPases in rat control of Toxoplasma gondii• Teaching assistant for undergraduate and graduate course, Molecular basis of infectious disease

Amanda Brown LabElucidating the host factors which enhance HIV-1 replication• Examined the role of several signaling domains of Osteopontin in HIV-1 replication in vitroTeaching Experience:• Teaching assistant for two introductory laboratory courses in molecular biology techniques

Assembly of a completely synthetic yeast chromosome.• Developed protocol for assembly of large fragments of DNA using oligonucleotides• Designed and constructed zinc finger nucleases for targeted gene therapy in human cells