In the lab:
I am interested in the regulation of virulence in Staphylococcus aureus, specifically in in vivo infection scenarios. My current focus is on the role that small RNAs play in controlling this process. I aim to understand how these sRNAs contribute to S. aureus pathogenicity by using clinical isolates to explore cystic fibrosis and chronic wound infection dynamics. I grew up in Nashville TN, and then moved to Winston Salem NC where I received my BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wake Forest University. There, I was a member of the Floge lab studying how marine viruses manipulate cyanobacteria metabolism. I then received my MS in Microbiology at the University of South Florida Tampa in the Shaw lab where my thesis was on the characterization of a TetR family protein contributing to the global regulation of virulence in Staphylococcus aureus. About Julia: I enjoy reading, hiking, exercising, eating burritos, and playing in recreational soccer and volleyball leagues. |