Jennifer Grier, Ph.D.

Title: "Resistance and Pathogenic Properties of Necrotizing Fasciitis-Causing Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii"

Dr. Grier received her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, investigating primary immune deficiencies of Natural Killer cells. She then received an Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) postdoctoral fellowship supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to study the immune response to Sendai Virus defective viral genomes while teaching undergraduate students at University of Rutgers-Camden and Lincoln University.

Undergraduate and medical student mentorship is a significant emphasis of Dr. Grier’s research lab where they study host-pathogen interactions during respiratory infections from both pathogen and immune response perspectives. Dr. Grier also oversees research programs to study infection susceptibility and vaccine information needs in her local community and works with the Root Cause community health initiative to promote medical student engagement in community health.