Assistant professor
shawx166@d.umn.edu

Clara Shaw

emergence of pathogens after spillover - or the initial infection of a novel host. I began this work in collaboration with postdoctoral advisor Dr. David Kennedy at Penn State University. Prior to that, I completed my PhD studying the ecology of Daphnia and their parasites with Dr. Meghan Duffy at the University of Michigan. My CV is here.

I value learning, teaching, and mentoring. I recognize that I and those that I collaborate with and mentor are still progressing on academic and personal journeys. I celebrate small and large accomplishments on these journeys.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, cooking and baking, running, skiing, and spending time in nature.

I study environmental drivers of disease with a focus on pathogen spillover and emergence. Humans have drastically modified the environment, impacting wild species and influencing the dynamics and evolution of pathogens. Consequently, species of concern - ourselves included - are increasingly at risk of emergent pathogens from spillover infections. I use a model system - Caenorhabditis nematodes and their native viruses to ask questions about the ecological conditions that modulate the ability of pathogens to infect novel hosts and the evolution and potential

Loralei Larson

I'm a psychology major at UMD with a minor in biology and a minor in healthcare management. After completing my undergraduate degree, I intend to earn my MD. More specifically, I would like to go into pediatric emergency medicine. Some of my current research interests include epidemiology, particularly how nutrition affects the patterns and distributions of viruses. Moreso, I am also quite intrigued by the brain structure and its implications in memory, disorders, and behavior.

In my free time, I love to read books. I'll read almost anything, but my favorite genres tend to be nonfiction crime, historical fiction and nonfiction, as well as romantic fiction. I also love to go to zoos, I just love seeing the animals and learning all about them. It's one of my favorite pastimes, I just wish it didn't get so expensive.

Rachel Rhein

I'm majoring in Biology at UMD, specifically in the Genetics, Cell, and Development track. After graduation my current plan is to obtain my MMLS and work as a medical laboratory scientist. In my free time I like to read books, crochet, or spend time with my family, friends, and pets.

Shelbie Vandersteen

I am a second year at UMD majoring in Biology and Public Health. My interests are rooted in infectious disease transmission and contingent factors related to disease susceptibility. I plan on working towards a career researching antibiotic resistance and hospital related infections. Outside of the lab and school I enjoy kayaking, hiking, drawing, rock picking, and taking pictures of whatever critters and pieces of nature I find 𓆣.

Jalyn Bad Horse

I am a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I am studying Human Biology and American Indian Studies. After undergrad, I plan to attend medical school to become a pediatrician, specializing in General pediatrics or pediatric endocrinology specifically working with children with type one diabetes. Eventually, I would like to give back to Indigenous communities by working together to improve Indigenous healthcare.

During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I love working with children, so when I am not in the lab I am working at a childcare center. I also love listening to music and hammocking.

Ella Halvorson

My name is Ella Halvorson and I am from Alexandria, MN. I am currently working on my B.S. in Biology. I enjoy spending time outside with my dogs, going on hikes, kayaking, and gardening! I love biology and I am particularly interested in genetics and evolution. My plans after college are to go to medical school to become a doctor!