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Caitlyn B. Smith

Connect

caitlynbsmith@uky.edu
Lab: MS 435 | Office: MS 437 | Medical Science Bldg.

Positions

  • Graduate Research Assistant - M. Ashfaqul Alam Lab
  • Founder and Coordinator - UK's Biomedical Sciences Trainee Club

College Unit(s)

Biography and Education

Biography

Caitlyn is a fourth year PhD student, focusing on the intestinal host-bacteria interactome in bacterial pathogenesis.

Education

Education

  • 2020 - Present --- Graduate School at University of Kentucky College of Medicine
  • 2020 --- Graduated Loyola University Chicago with a B.S. in Biochemistry, with a minor in Biology

Experience and Organizations

  • CRLA Certified Level 1 Peer Mentor, since 2022
  • Kentucky Science Advocate, since 2022
  • American Society of Microbiology, UK Student Chapter Member, since 2021
    • Public Relations Officer 2022-2023
    • Secretary 2023-2024
  • Biomedical Graduate Student Organization (BGSO) Member, since 2021
    • Social Committee Member 2021-2022
  • SURES/SURF Near-Peer Mentor
    • Summer 2021, Summer 2022
  • Founder and Primary Coordinator - UK's Biomedical Sciences Trainee Club
    • Started November 2021
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member, since Dec 2017

Research

In the Laboratory of Dr. Ashfaqul Alam, currently, I have been elucidating the influence of metabolites and proteins utilized in bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract and the mechanisms of Campylobacter jejuni pathogenesis. Further investigating into the interactions and functional roles between the host, and commensal bacteria in assisting or impeding pathogenesis of C. jejuni.