Emma is a PhD student in the Pawlowska lab studying the genetic and molecular underpinnings of endosymbioses. She earned her B.S. in Biosciences in 2023 from Rice University.
Emma came into the lab hoping to merge her undergraduate research experiences investigating molecular plant biology and fungal grass endosymbiont ecology. Her interest in contextualized interactions emerged from unique research opportunities while attending a marine biology-focused public high school. Hailing from the New Jersey shore, Emma’s fondness for the rich ecosystems of the beaches & saltwater rivers in her hometown blossomed into an enduring love of biology.
Currently her work utilizes the study system of the mold fungus Rhizopus microsporus and its natural endohyphal bacteria, Mycetohabitans sp. B13. She is more broadly interested in symbiotic host-microbe interactions and how closely studying these ubiquitous ecological relationships can enrich our understanding of myriad biological systems.