SciComm Internship

Georgia Caso is originally from North Yarmouth, Maine. She earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2019 and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Timothy Cover’s lab within the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. Her research focuses on how VacA, a toxin produced by Helicobacter pylori, disrupts cholesterol homeostasis in stomach cells. Passionate about science communication, Georgia is excited to use digital media tools to enhance engagement with VI4 research.

Jia Mei grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Colorado College, where she majored in Molecular Biology and minored in Asian Studies. She is currently conducting research in Dr. Eric Cassat’s lab, studying how Staphylococcus aureus survives antibiotic treatment during bone infections. Through this internship, Jia aims to develop skills in video production, graphic design, and science writing to strengthen science communication, build community, and expand outreach efforts.

KeAndreya Morrison is a Ph.D. candidate at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She conducts her research in Dr. Tina Iverson's lab at Vanderbilt University in the Department of Pharmacology. Her work focuses on understanding the interactions between hosts and pathogens, specifically how streptococcal bacteria bind to human cells via glycan-protein interactions. KeAndreya is excited to contribute to science communication by translating complex research into engaging content.

Cherie Saffold is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. She conducts her thesis research in Dr. Heather Pua’s lab, where she studies the role of extracellular YRNA in allergic airway inflammation. As a SciComm intern, Cherie will create multimedia content showcasing the research of VI4 graduate students.