By Kamryn Cregger, Postbac in the Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology (LB)
Postbaccalaureate fellows (postbacs) at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) conduct research in the Laboratories of Bacteriology (LB), Neurological Infections and Immunity (LNII), and Virology (LV) under the mentorship of NIAID principal investigators and postdoctoral fellows (postdocs). During their one- or two-year fellowships, postbacs prepare for their next career steps through the numerous seminars, workshops, and professional development opportunities available through NIAID. Outside of the lab, our current fellows participate in numerous extracurricular activities in their local communities, including playing for a hurling team, enjoying acro yoga and swing dancing, being a member of the Bitterroot Community Band, and partaking in the RML run club.
Read about the unique experiences that led the current trainees to pursue postbaccalaureate research training opportunities within RML.
Matthew Anderson
Matthew Anderson
Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology
Intended Path: M.D./Ph.D.
Matthew currently studies the intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii and is looking at several different aspects. At a more molecular level, one project is investigating how the bacteria responds to host reactive oxygen species stressors and seeks to broadly characterize the response. Matthew is also working to better understand vaccine dissemination and the mechanisms that contribute to severe post-vaccination hypersensitivity reactions in those with prior exposure. He envisions a future career as a physician-scientist who is actively engaged in research and teaching while also running his own medical practice. Upon reflecting, Matthew says, “The fellowship has exceeded expectations with regards to my development as a reasonably independent young scientist, and the resources available for personal and professional development and exploration are truly exceptional."
What aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“Exposure to BSL-3 and ABSL-3 work was always something that had been on my "research bucket list," and I was extremely fortunate to find work in a lab that not only allows me to work in this setting but also lets me develop my own experiments and ideas using these resources. It is a very unique opportunity and one that is relatively hard to find at this stage in training.”
Leah Bernstein
Leah Bernstein
Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology
Intended Path: Graduate School
During undergrad, Leah worked on experiments that used mouse models and realized it was not the right research path for her. In her postbac, she has expanded her knowledge about virology and gained extensive hands-on experience working full-time in a laboratory setting. Leah currently works within LV, where she has assisted and conducted research on the biology of tick-borne flaviviruses as well as the molecular pathogenesis of the infections the ticks cause. Thanks to the current research she helps maintain, she has found a passion for tick studies and says that they fascinate her in the way they prove to be a wonderful model organism to study infectious diseases. As her love for research grows, she hopes to be able to contribute new knowledge to the field of virology throughout her career.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I'm an artist, I make acrylic paintings.”
Kamryn Cregger
Kamryn Cregger
Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology
Intended Path: Ph.D.
With a continuous passion for research and knowledge, Kamryn plans to spend two years as a postbac at RML conducting research with a focus on Borrelia species within LB. Her current project focuses on the characterization of two oligopeptide-binding proteins in Borrelia hermsii in a relapsing fever in vivo infection model. Kamryn has broadened her horizons within the field of microbiology and developed a new skill set. While working in the Groshong laboratory, she has discovered a passion for studying bacteria that undergo antigenic variation of the variable major proteins and finds Borrelia species fascinating. After completing her postbac, Kamryn plans to earn a Ph.D. in microbiology with a research project concentrating on infectious diseases.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“My career aspiration is to take on a role as an academic PI, and by undergoing all of the unique networking opportunities, laboratory team meetings, as well as collaborations within NIAID, I believe I will be able to use the skills I have gained through all of the above to run a great lab one day!”
Olivia Durant
Olivia Durant
Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Unit, Laboratory of Virology
Intended Path: M.D.
Olivia wanted to gain more bench and wet lab experience, conduct animal work, contribute to more publications, and work with filoviruses. Her initial motivation for wanting to do filovirus research is rooted in how severe they are. These viruses are very deadly and complex, and both factors are fascinating to Olivia. She is interested in how science can protect people and aid in the healing and prevention of disease. Filovirus glycoproteins are believed to play a role in the pathogenic potential of filoviruses, but not all filovirus species have been investigated to assess this potential. In her current research at NIAID, Olivia is investigating the role of filovirus glycoproteins in the pathogenicity of infection using recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus in interferon-alpha/beta receptor knockout mice. Olivia is currently deciding between an M.D. and an M.D./Ph.D. as she is drawn to both medicine and research. In medicine, she loves working with people and teaching and using knowledge to help others, whereas in research, she loves investigating new things and making connections.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“I have a great mentor in my postdoc. She is patient and really takes the time to teach me the concepts behind the techniques. She also fosters a supportive environment where I feel safe asking questions. Overall, living in Montana has been amazing; it was really fun to hike every weekend in the summer, and now that there is some snow, I am learning to cross-country ski!”
Taylor Fletcher
Taylor Fletcher
Prion Cell Biology Unit, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity
Intended Path: Exploring Career Paths
Taylor’s undergraduate research focused on both the metastasis of chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells and the neuroinflammation surrounding HIV infection in the brain. After graduating, Taylor knew she loved science and medicine and was excited for the opportunity to work in biomedical sciences at NIAID. Taylor currently conducts stem cell research dissecting the neuropathogenesis of neuroborreliosis caused by different species of Lyme disease-causing Borrelia. When reflecting on the opportunities afforded to her through her postbac, Taylor said, “With the opportunity presented to me by joining the lab, I am now able to reside in the intersection of medicine and science and explore both passions while growing my resume and making myself more competitive for either medical school or graduate school—whichever direction I choose to go.”
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I like aerial arts, dancing, watching makeup tutorials, and going to new food places.”
Ben Greene
Ben Greene
Virus Ecology Section, Laboratory of Virology
Intended Path: Graduate School
Ben is currently working on sequencing pipelines for field diagnostics of emerging viruses in LV, which aims to improve targeted enrichment methods for viruses that can potentially be used in the field, whether for surveillance or outbreak diagnostics. With a background in genetics and an interest in disease surveillance, particularly as it pertains to our understanding of the evolution and ecology of viruses, he found the Virus Ecology Section to be the best fit for him. Being a postbac has helped Ben not only become a more independent scientist but has also helped him grow more confident in running his own projects.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“Clinical case reviews have been really interesting. Although I do not plan on going to medical school, it’s been an interesting insight into clinical thinking, and I think I could apply it to my future career if I work as a microbiologist in a clinical or public health setting.”
Imali Kegode
Imali Kegode
Neuroimmunology Unit, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity
Intended Path: M.D.
During undergrad, Imali worked on a project creating autologous therapies for cartilage damage at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute. For her master’s thesis, she studied the role of sub-genomic flavivirus RNAs in Zika virus pathogenesis while at the University of Colorado. Imali’s master’s provided a lot of clarity for what her career aspirations were within the field—becoming a physician-scientist. The research Imali is currently working on involves a collaboration with Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, M.D., M.H.S. In this project, Imali is using patient-induced pluripotent stem cell samples to generate cerebral organoids. The patients have neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease, a rare autoinflammatory disease that is due to an overactive NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In this project, Imali hopes to use these patient samples as a model to investigate the possible role the NLRP3 pathway has on neurodifferentiation and development.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“I have really enjoyed all the postbac get-togethers and getting to know everyone.”
Amira-Nuriya McKinney
Amira-Nuriya McKinney
Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology
Intended Path: Graduate School
Following undergrad, Amira looked for opportunities to conduct research while exploring potential career paths. Looking more into the NIH Postbac Program, Amira was drawn to the equal emphasis on mentorship and professional development and the opportunity to explore different scientific interests through the NIH. Her current project is characterizing an unknown hypothetical protein, BB0208, which thus far has been shown to be important for transmission from the tick vector to the mammalian host. The mutant of this protein has shown a lack of transmission. Throughout her time at RML, she has taken opportunities to shadow other laboratories and departments, expand her learning through graduate school courses offered by the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, network at conferences, and, overall, learn about different perspectives that other scientists have within their fields. From this fellowship experience, Amira has decided to continue pursuing a career in research and medicine, but she is still exploring her options to determine which area of science aligns with her values and interests the most.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I enjoy volunteering at a horse shelter and participating in town events.”
Evan Mihalakakos
Evan Mihalakakos
Disease Modeling and Transmission Section, Laboratory of Virology
Intended Path: M.D.
While Evan’s research background is in testing chemotherapeutics for lung cancer, he decided to branch out when he heard about the NIH connections with a site in Uganda. He is currently conducting serology research in Uganda for the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. He has been there for 7 months testing human and livestock samples. Evan’s goal is to identify at-risk individuals to prevent infection. Global health has been an interest of his for a long time, so he decided to find a project where he could live abroad during his gap years. He has really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know individuals and develop rapport with them, whether that be through conferences, travel, postbac gatherings, or shadowing experiences. Evan plans to attend medical school next fall. Upon reflecting on his postbac so far, he said, “This has easily been the best experience I have had.” Evan not only gained knowledge, but he also gained “insight from inspiring mentors, engaging work, and friendships and memories to last a lifetime.”
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“My fieldwork. I enjoy being in the communities and seeing our work translate to improving individuals' health.”
Johan Ortiz Morales
Johan Ortiz Morales
Molecular Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology
Intended Path: Ph.D.
After completing his undergraduate degree at Universidad Ana G. Mendez in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Johan saw the NIH Postbac Program as an opportunity to expand his scientific skill set as he prepared for a productive career in science. Currently, he is working on AT2 to AT1 differentiation and optimizing the lung organoid model under the mentorship of Meaghan Flagg, Ph.D., a postdoc in LV. Johan plans to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology and is excited by the variety of research opportunities available within the field.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“Since moving here, I have been exploring baking, and before the first snow here in Hamilton, I also picked apples out of a tree with my landlord. My favorite activity I have done here outside of RML was going to the Field of Screams with some of the other postbacs.”
Sam Smith
Sam Smith
Virus Persistence and Dynamics Section, Laboratory of Virology
Intended Path: Industry - Medical Sales
Sam is currently researching the use of the Mastomys natalensis cytomegalovirus as a self-disseminating vaccine platform for Lassa virus. As a side project, he is also involved in the lab’s efforts to investigate M. natalensis as a possible host and disease model for monkeypox. During his fellowship, Sam realized he enjoys working in customer-facing positions and plans on using the skills he has gained in the lab and through RML’s community outreach to build a new career for himself in the field of medical sales.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I enjoy going to acroyoga, volunteering at the nursing home and horse rescue in town, cross country skiing, running, and hiking with my dog.”
Learn more about postbaccalaureate training opportunities at NIAID.