Prior Degrees

BS Lyman Briggs Microbiology, Michigan State University, December 2006.

Mentor(s)

Dr. Linda Mansfield

Research Interests

My research focuses Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a post-infectious autoimmune disease characterized by limb weakness and loss of tendon reflex. GBS, the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis, is commonly associated with prior Campylobacter jejuni infection. C. jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis; approximately 1 in 1000 people infected develop GBS. Studies indicate that the  lipo-oliosaccharides of C. jejuni mimic nerve gangliosides in the host, eliciting an autoimmune response that cross-reacts with gangliosides in host tissues. Not much is known about this disease so my research goals

will consist of helping developing a murine model to help further examine GBS.