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Isabel D

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Stanford University

Expertise

biology; ecology and evolution of infectious diseases; microbiology, virology, mathematical biology; social and political impacts of infectious disease

Bio

Hello! I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Microbiology and Immunology department at Stanford University. I am passionate about researching the impact of global change on infectious disease dynamics, specifically viral infection, evolution, and transmission. Outside of science, I am a huge soccer fan; my favorite teams are Tottenham Hotspurs (#COYS!), Austin FC (Vamos Verde!), Feyenoord, and the Netherlands (Hup Holland!).

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Choose your own adventure!

Your choice! We can brainstorm together to come up with your own topic, as broad or specific as you like, and we will work to learn more and create a fulfilling project. The goal is that you will learn how to ask and investigate good research questions, so you can continue to move forward as an successful independent researcher. Research topics are not limited to biology. Project outcomes are equally not limited—if you can dream it, you can do it!

Infectious Disease and Us

Infectious diseases include viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens around the world that can strongly impact our way of life. For example, over 600 million people have been infected by COVID-19 worldwide and the pandemic has completely altered how we interact with those around us—from sheltering in place when sick to wearing masks to avoid infection. You may choose any infectious disease of your choice and we will investigate what it is and effects it may have on our way of life. This project will include reading scientific papers from peer-reviewed journals and will culminate in a research paper similar to a scientific literature review. This project can be tailored for all students regardless of prior experience with science or research.

The Ecology of Viruses

How do our actions with the Earth affect viral dynamics? Can global warming really make pandemics more common? Designed for students with interdisciplinary interests, we will read scientific articles from peer-reviewed journals and discuss how changes with the Earth might affect a virus of your choice. You will then develop a research question you want to investigate and write and original research proposal. This project can be tailored for all students regardless of prior experience with science or research. Students with interests of applying to public or private agencies for fellowships/scholarships are welcomed, as well.

Coding skills

R, python

Teaching experience

I have mentored students in all academic capacities, both in-person and online, including: independent research project development, literature review, creation and execution of experiments, and communication of final results. Topics mentored include: in-vitro, in-vivo, and in-silico microbiology and immunology projects, viral epidemics, ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, viral discovery, molecular virology, genomics, parasitology, and science ethics, among others.

Credentials

Education

University of North Texas
BA Bachelor of Arts (2018)
Biology; Chemistry
Stanford University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Microbiology and Immunology

Completed Projects

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