Performing research in the lab of Dr. Alan Engelman where we elucidate the roles of virus-host interactions in HIV-1 nuclear trafficking and integration targeting mechanisms.

Guided students through developing fundamental skills and concepts required to culture and maintain mammalian cells in sterile conditions.

“NF-kB dependent antiviral pathways in VSV-resistant prostate cancer cells.”- Co-transfected prostate cancer cells, infecting with VSV, and performing direct immunofluorescence staining to determine NF-kB localization. - Infected HEL-hTERT lung fibroblasts with recombinant VSV strains that express mCherry, RFP, or luciferase to monitor the relationship between viral infection and lung cells. -Infected prostate cancer cells with a panel of VSV strains that encode various mutations in the matrix (M) protein to determine localization of NF-kB in response to viral infection.- Performed plaque assays on wild-type VSV exposed to Eugenol polymer; determined its antiviral properties by measuring virus titer after exposure to the polymer.

Guided students through molecular biology lab protocols, procedures, answered questions, and graded student lab notebooks.