Catherine Blackwood

Graduate Assistant

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology

Classification:

Graduate Assistant

I joined the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis program in January of 2017, and study vaccine development in the laboratory of Dr. Mariette Barbier. The focus of my dissertation research is formulation of an acellular vaccine for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. My studies have a focus on antigen identification from cross-species antigens and optimization of the adjuvant used in an experimental acellular, peptide-based vaccine for P. aeruginosa, but have allowed me to learn widely useful techniques in immunology and microbiology.

During my time as a graduate student, I have been an active member of several organizations within the department, college, and university. I am a member of the Graduate Student Organization, where I was Academic Chair for a year, the Science Policy Organization, where I held several leadership positions, including President, and the WVU Women in Science Health Committee. I have also spearheaded committees within the Immunotherapeutics group, and am active in the Graduate Women advocating Science group.

I have been personally supported by grants from the WVU Vaccine Development center and the WV NASA Space Grant Consortium.

Outside of academia, I spend time in the wilderness with my spouse, Alex, and adventure-beagle, Daisy. I love baking bread, cooking anything that involves a carbohydrate, and travelling.