My project involved researching a retroviral etiology for the liver disease primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Here I gained further experience working with mammalian tissue culture cells, including isolating primary epithelial cells and lymphocytes from human livers. In addition to building on skills acquired during my PhD, I also conducted and analyzed multiple RNA sequencing experiments.

My project dealt with characterizing interactions between the Rubella virus capsid protein and various host proteins. Principally I explored how the capsid protein affected apoptosis and induction of the innate immune response. Here I became proficient in several techniques including tissue culture, viral upkeep, microscopy, flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and molecular cloning. Furthermore, I became experienced in keeping and organizing detailed notes, independently planning and organizing experiments and processing and interpreting data. I presented my data at various seminars and poster sessions both within my department and at various conferences, both local and international. Twice I supervised an undergraduate student during his summer research project in our lab. Also, I gained experience in scientific writing by publishing original research and review articles in peer reviewed journals.