Kathy received a B.S. in microbiology in 1975 from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in biology in 1981 from the University of California, San Diego. She worked on two viruses in graduate school: the bacteriophage ΦX174 and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). For her dissertation with John Holland, she investigated the virus evolution during persistent infection by VSV. Kathy moved to UCLA for her postdoctoral work on adenoviruses with Arnie Berk, where she used molecular biology tools to characterize viral gene expression and viral replication.

Since the human adenoviruses are species-specific, in order to study viral pathogenesis she began studies with mouse adenovirus (MAV-1) in mice. Kathy’s first faculty position was in the Department of Genetics at the University of Georgia. Eighty-three people worked on MAV-1 in the Spindler lab in Athens. In 2002 Kathy moved to a position as Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Michigan. So far >92 people have worked in the Spindler lab in Ann Arbor, including three of the Bulldogs from UGA – two moved with her in 2002 and one came 10 years later (!).

Kathy’s research encompasses virology, pathogenesis, molecular biology, genetics, immunology and even some biochemistry. In addition to being a member of the U-M M&I Department, she is a member of the Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program and the Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis Training Program. She is Secretary-Treasurer of the American Society for Virology and is a member of the TWiV podcast team (This Week in Virology). Kathy likes to sing, play handbells, cook, hike, and bike.

Berto completed his B.S in Microbiology at the University of Havana, Cuba and Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Mexico. His postdoc project is focused on the identification of the molecular basis of degradation of the cellular kinase PKR during mouse adenovirus type 1 infection. When not in the lab, he enjoys sharing time with his wife and daughter, playing chess, and following the Boston Red Sox.

Rosario completed her Ph.D in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Mexico. She is investigating the role of the elF2alpha kinases, particularly GCN2, in mouse adenovirus-1 pathogenesis, specifically the interaction between viral infection and host response. When not in the lab, Rosario enjoys sharing time with her family, doing exercise with her daughter, running, and Mexican folklore dance.

Dan received his B.S. in Biological Sciences at Purdue University in 2009. Afterwards, Dan was employed as a research technician at Indiana University School of Medicine, leading projects investigating basic science questions ranging from uncovering the mechanisms surrounding prostate cancer bone metastasis to understanding how iron deficiency anemia impacts chronic kidney disease. As an associate biologist at Eli Lilly and Co. for over four years, Dan was an in vitro biologist and worked on several drug discovery projects to identify novel pharmacodynamic endpoints in musculoskeletal and diabetes-related disease states. Dan moved to Michigan and joined the Spindler Lab in 2020. His project focuses on viral genes involved in PKR degradation during a mouse adenovirus infection. When not in the lab, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, fishing, hiking, cooking, and traveling to national parks!

Edgard is a current undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor majoring in Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology and Spanish. Along with the help of his research mentor, Ashlee Vance, Ph.D., MA, RN, he has worked on the validation of the Karitane Parental Confidence Scale for Spanish-speaking communities. Likewise, he researched how stressors within the NICU impacted parental confidence throughout the COVID pandemic. As a student on the pre-medical track, Edgard has focused his time towards patient interaction as an interpreter at the UM Student-Run Free Clinic. Additionally, as a board member of the Latinx Undergraduate Medical Association, Edgard has focused on increasing Latinx representation through mentorship on both the undergraduate and high school levels. He began working as a lab helper in the Spindler Lab in August 2021 and has been keeping the lab well organized ever since!