Independently optimized, validated, and applied high-throughput surface display systems to identify cell-penetrating proteins derived from human microbiomes. Characterized potential of discovered proteins as novel intracellular drug delivery vehicles. Investigated ability of Klebsiella pneumoniae transmembrane proteins to activate germinal center immune responses in ex vivo B cell organoids. This initiative aimed to identify targets for vaccination against antibiotic resistant… Show more Independently optimized, validated, and applied high-throughput surface display systems to identify cell-penetrating proteins derived from human microbiomes. Characterized potential of discovered proteins as novel intracellular drug delivery vehicles. Investigated ability of Klebsiella pneumoniae transmembrane proteins to activate germinal center immune responses in ex vivo B cell organoids. This initiative aimed to identify targets for vaccination against antibiotic resistant pathogens. Collaboration with Ankur Singh at Georgia Institute of Technology.Established a new protein-based research subgroup within the Brito lab - generated new SOPs and methods, mentored a group of 8 students and staff, and established collaborations with other Cornell research groups to provide support for new projects. Show less

Characterized the role of mitochondrial association factor 1 (MAF1) gene from the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii to understand mechanisms of strain-level pathogenesis in vivo.Identified the contribution of the TgPRELID allele to multi-drug resistance in Toxoplasma gondii to characterize drug resistance mechanisms preventing curative therapies.

Simplified and streamlined procedures for identifying, isolating, and observing chemotactic growth patterns in E.coli to create an educational research program for high school students