Before joining the MD-PhD Combined Program at UTMB, Emily worked under Dr. James Forman at UT Southwestern studying cytotoxic T cells as antigen-independent mediators of innate immunity. Experience in medical clinics and survey expeditions in Central America and Africa fueled her interest in the modulation of the immune system by vector-born pathogens. Under Dr. Lynn Soong, she completed a rotation project investigating dendritic cell activation as a possible therapeutic target in cutaneous leishmaniasis. She also studied cytokine determinants of Ehrlichiosis under Dr. Walker and Dr. Ismail. She plans on entering the field of immunology as a physician scientist.