Orlando Cervantes
University of Washington, Seattle, United States
I cultivated an interest in emerging infectious diseases of global health importance while conducting research in my time as an undergraduate. I started my research career in the laboratory of Dr. Rebecca Rico-Hesse at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) studying the effect viral glycosylation has on the pathogenesis of Zika virus. I continued to diversify my research background in the laboratory of Dr. Job Lopez by developing a senior honors thesis project characterizing operons of Borrelia turicatae. Both of these research experiences led to presentation opportunities at local research symposiums. By the end of my undergraduate studies, I was resolute in my intention to pursue my doctorate degree. Now after my first year of doctoral studies, I have committed to conducting my dissertation research under the mentorship of Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf, investigating the effects of emerging viruses on maternal-fetal health. Currently, I am working with her to assemble a National Institutes of Health diversity grant supplement that focuses on the innate immune response to pandemic influenza infection at the maternal-fetal interface. As part of that, I expect to make contributions to our understanding of cytokine signaling in the placenta and lungs and how downstream effects of cytokine activation impact the offspring.