Where are you from and what do you enjoy most about your hometown?
I am from Greensboro, NC which is also known as “Tournament Town” because it is the birthplace of the Atlantic Coast Conference and is home to their basketball tournaments, which is great because I grew up as a huge college basketball fan!
What is your research focused on?
My research focuses on defining the functional consequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genetic diversity and evolution as it relates to bacterial pathogenesis and virulence, drug resistance, and tuberculosis (TB) patient outcomes.
What is your favorite part of your research?
I really love that my research spans multiple fields/approaches including population and evolutionary genetics, metabolism, and molecular biology. In addition, it is really rewarding conducting research that illuminates our basic understanding of Mtb physiology and also has the potential to improve TB diagnostics and drug regimens.
How do you relax when you’re not working?
When not working, I enjoy reading, needlepoint/embroidery, piano, and watching basketball.
