
- Title MS Student—Layne Lab
- Education B.A. Biology, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
- Office K219
- Email crystalv@bu.edu
I am a current master’s student, in the process of applying to medical school. My research experience began in high school during my summer working with graduate students in Dr. John G. Carman’s lab at Utah State University, learning basic laboratory techniques. Later I worked on a dietary supplementation study under Dr. Abby Benninghoff (USU), for my high-school science fair. Finally, as the American Chemical Society SEED Intern in the lab of Dr. Nick Dickenson, also at USU, I studied the IpaC and IpagC complexes of the Shigella flexneri bacteria . Alongside my current academic pursuits, I proudly serve in the Army, which makes up a big part of my life and personality. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors with my husband and our sweet dog, Chonky. Whether hiking, skiing, camping, or simply enjoying a walk, being in nature is where you’ll find me if I’m not at work. My diverse experiences have shaped my resilience and compassion, fueling my passion for a future career in medicine.