NSF Postdoctoral Scholar - Lab of Dr. Christa Baker
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Education
2023 East Carolina University
PhD in Biology
2018 Villanova University
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Research Experience
2023-present North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Postdoctoral Scholar, Lab of Dr. Christa Baker
2018-2023 East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
PhD Student, Lab of Dr. Timothy Erickson and Dr. Fadi Issa
2017-2018 Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Undergraduate Researcher, Lab of Dr. Angela DiBenedetto
Funding
2024 NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology Award - $240,000
2022 ECU College of Sciences Student Conference Grant Recipient - $1,000
2021 Biology Graduate Student Association Award Recipient - $1,000
2020 ECU College of Sciences Student Conference Grant Recipient - $1,000
2019 ECU Evans Family Scholarship in Biology Recipient - $2,000
Honors and Awards
2026 Finalist for Best Postdoctoral Poster at Triangle SfN Meeting
2025 Invited Speaker for NCSU NeuroRig Seminar
2025-2027 Elected as Co-Chair for Neuroethology Gordon Research Seminar
2025 NCSU Envisioning Research 1st Place Video with B. Hill
2024 NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology Award
2023 Outstanding Article Recognition by Journal of Experimental Biology
2023 SICB Conference 2nd Place Award for Best Student Speaker
2022 ECU College of Sciences Student Conference Grant Recipient
2022 Selected for First Person Interview to Accompany Article in Biology Open
2022 Invited Speaker for ECU Research in Progress Seminar
2021-2023 Elected as ECU PhD Program Steering Committee Member
2021 Biology Graduate Student Association Award Recipient
2020 Article Featured as Frontiers Editor's Pick
2020 Featured Presentation for ECU Prospective Graduate Students
2020 ECU College of Sciences Student Conference Grant Recipient
2019 ECU 3-Minute Thesis Finalist
2019 Elected as ECU Research in Progress Seminar Planning Assistant
2019 ECU Evans Family Scholarship in Biology Recipient
Teaching and Assistantships
2024-Present Physics and the Brain Module Instructor, NCSU
2021-2023 General Biology for Non-Majors Instructor, ECU
2020-2023 Biology Department Graduate Liaison, ECU
2020-2021 Cell Physiology Teaching Assistant, ECU
2018-2019 Anatomy and Physiology Teaching Assistant, ECU
Service Work and Professional Memberships
2025-Present Co-Chair for Neuroethology Gordon Research Seminar
2025-Present Trusted Reviewer for Nature
2025-2026 Mentor for NCSU Comparative Medicine Institute Fellows
2022-2024 Assistant Reviewer for Journal of Experimental Biology and Nature
2022-2024 Villanova Alumni NC Triangle Chapter President
2020-Present Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Member
2020-Present Social Justice Virtual Book Club Leader
2019-Present Animal Shelter Volunteer
2022-2023 ECU PhD Student Lead Mentor
2021-2023 ECU PhD Program Steering Committee Member
2019-2023 Biology Graduate Student Association Member
2019-2021 Science Fair Poster Judge
2019 ECU Biology Department Chair Selection Committee
2019 ECU Research in Progress Seminar Planning Assistant
Mentoring
2024-Present NCSU Undergraduate Honors Thesis Research Mentor
Sole mentor for three undergraduate honors thesis students (B. Hill, E. Payne, and A. Emborsky) and one undergraduate research fellow (K. Lipsteuer).
Assisted in training three additional undergraduate students.
2022-2023 ECU Graduate Student Mentor
Held monthly meetings and provided guidance for four PhD students in the Biology Program at ECU to enable their growth as graduate students.
2019-2023 ECU Undergraduate Research Mentor
Trained and oversaw three undergraduate students (S. Crowe, T. Jones, and C. Smith) in molecular and behavior research, as well as fish handling and maintenance.
Assisted in training four additional undergraduate students.
Advanced Skills
Gene editing using a variety of techniques, including CRISPR, in model and non-model organisms (vertebrates and invertebrates)
Fluorescent imaging of organisms and samples subjected to immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy
Calcium imaging of live samples using two-photon microscopy
Behavior analysis using machine learning software, SLEAP
Statistical analysis and data visualization using R and MatLab