My primary research interest is in studying the complex interplay between the host innate immune system and virus infections. We focus on how post-translational modifications contribute to the innate anti-viral response and how viral proteins specifically counteract these responses, using coronaviruses as a model. To address these research questions, we use a variety of molecular, biochemical, and virological techniques.
I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2005 with a B.S. in biochemistry where I began studying viruses in the lab of Dr. James Van Etten. I then obtained a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Washington University-St. Louis in 2011 where I studied the molecular virology of human cytomegalovirus under the mentorship of Dr. Dong Yu. I then moved to the University of Iowa as a post-doc to study coronavirus replication and pathogenesis under Dr. Stanley Perlman. In 2018 I started my own lab at KU to continue studying coronaviruses.
I am currently an associate professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences where I serve as the research coordinator.
Come join Band of Angels on Saturday, November 21st for a very fun and important event. It's Instrument Cleaning Day!
We're looking for volunteers to spend some time with us and friends doing a critical service for our student musicians. During this event we will be cleaning and polishing instruments and cases so they look great when we award them to kids. Let's make this special moment beautiful for them!
We are expecting that this will be our biggest and best Instrument Cleaning Day ever! In addition to cleaning instruments and cases, we will have other volunteer activities. We expect to have some of our Band of Angels students there, too. There may even be some heartwarming surprises!
We have two 2-hour shifts to choose from: 10:00am -12:30pm and 12:00 - 2:30pm. You can sign up for your shift HERE.
Students are welcome but must be in 8th grade or above to attend alone. If younger, student must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperon also volunteering. Thank you!
Food Drop Off
Please bring your nonperishable food items to one of our Wednesday meetings and drop them off in the collection box. We meet Wednesdays at the Overland Park Doubletree on College Blvd. We will collect items until December 9th and then take them to the Blue Valley Food Pantry, a community food pantry staffed by students with disabilities and designed to increase the vocational skills of students receiving special education services in the Blue Valley School District.
Holiday Shopping Night for KidsTLC
December 7, 2026
Walmart, 157th & Metcalf St.
> Four shifts (of up to 15 each) starting at 4:30; 5:30; 6:30 and 7:30 pm
> Consider signing up for two shifts that night
> Sign up your spouse/partner and/or adult child (18 and over) to join you
> Meet in the Walmart Associates break room at the back of the store ( back right-hand corner as you come in, behind the groceries)
Overland Park Rotary Club has supported the Johnson County Christmas Bureau December event for many years and our club wishes to continue to support this important organization again this December. Please volunteer for as many shafts as you are able.
The Holiday Shop is scheduled for Friday, December 4-Saturday, December 12.
Please consider signing up for a shift.
JCCB anticipates serving more than 13,000 of our neighbors again this year. Every volunteer helps them create a Holiday Shop where families are welcomed with warmth, dignity and respect.
