Influential Mentors & Professors

Even before I started as a Postdoc with Dr. O'Riordan, she was giving me guidance on how to best navigate academia. Her understanding of science how to be successful as been monumentally important as I work to improve myself as a researcher and thinker.  

Dr. Hardy took me as his first lab member for his new lab, and has been an incredible mentor ever since. His care and support for his lab members and excitement for science makes it easier to get through the trials of earning a PhD. 

Dr. Kanada has been incredibly supportive as I forayed into the world of extracellular vesicles. He's done everything from send me papers to personally showing me techniques, all while being incredibly kind and understanding with any difficulties I had. 

Dr. DiRita is a great leader of the department and you can see how much he cares for every student. His expertise and guidance pushed me to be a better scientist in the lab, but also outside of it by inspiring me to improve my presentations and other skills required for a life in academics. 

Dr. Petroff joined my committee as an expert of prenatal immunology and extracellular vesicles, two areas I knew little about when I got to MSU. Her guidance pushed me to learn as much as possible about these subjects, and she is always there to offer advice and any resources I may need. 

When I finished my rotation with Dr. Waters, he gave me the advice "science is a team sport", which reminded me that I can seek help and don't have to do it all myself. He has followed up on that wisdom by giving great feedback on any of my presentations or drafts I've sent him. 

I first met Dr. Hammer at a conference my senior year at UW-Madison, and he was one of the reasons I wanted to come to MSU. From having me in his lab as a rotation student to serving as the department rep on my committee, he has provided valuable feedback and made sure I was always taking the proper steps of the scientific process. 

I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Fata-Hartley as a teaching assistant for the Virology course she was teaching. This was a tremendous learning experience for me, as she showed me how to organize the course to involve and engage the class. Her compassion and enthusiasm for every student was on display throughout the semester, and I look forward to continuing to learn from her. 

Only a few months after I joined his lab, I went to my first conference with Dr. Sauer where he graciously let me be his shadow, introducing me to anyone he could and helping me adjust to that environment. He has given me invaluable advice and guidance as I finished up my undergrad and applied to grad schools, and even after I left his lab. 

Dr. Huttenlocher was took a chance on me by bringing me in when I had virtually no lab experience as an undergrad, and in her lab I fell with love with the research process and learned I wanted to go on to earn a PhD.