• What is your degree program and expected graduation date? Immunology Ph.D., 2020

• Please describe your research: My research seeks to understand the mechanisms which underlie sepsis induced impairment of the immune system, specifically impairment of NK cells and CD8 T cells.

• In simple terms, why does this research matter? Because sepsis can lead to lasting immune impairment, individuals that experience a septic event are more likely to become ill and be hospitalized following secondary infection. Ideally, the research that I am performing can inform therapeutic approaches to address these impairments in immune function to improve the health of and/or cure patients who experience a septic event.

• How soon after starting at the University of Iowa were you able to participate in research? I joined my thesis lab at the end of my first year after completing the required three research rotations.

• How has being involved in research made you more successful at the University of Iowa? Because completion of my degree and my future career goals are research-focused, my involvement in research is very directly associated with my success at the University of Iowa.

• What are your career goals and/or plans after graduation? After completing my degree, I will seek a post-doctoral position with the intent to pursue a research focused academic faculty position.

• Faculty mentor/advisor: Dr. Vladimir Badovinac

• Hometown: Bismarck, North Dakota

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