Sarah Lebeis , Ph.D.

lebeis@email.unc.edu

Biology

Education

Emory University
Microbiology & Molecular Genetics

Mentors

Jeff Dangl, Ph.D.

Biography

Since I was a child, a career in science has always been appealing to me, although it would take many years of school to reveal in what manner. For my undergraduate degree, I studied Biology at the Lyman Briggs School, a small residential school in the College of Natural Sciences, at Michigan State University, which strives to integrate the study of the natural sciences with their impact on society. One of the great benefits of this program is its ability to offer a small, liberal arts college environment at a large institution. Further, I always appreciated the feeling of community generated by the faculty of Lyman Briggs, who are dedicated to the education of the next generation of scientists. At some point in their academic careers, I feel all students should have at least one class or professor above and beyond the standard learning experience that opens their minds to a new way of thinking. My time in Lyman Briggs instilled a desire in me to become a professor who could teach those landmark courses and potentially impact future scientists.

Another opportunity I was afforded at Michigan State was to perform undergraduate research. Having my own project and enjoying the benefits of one-on-one mentorship planted the seed of pursuing a career in scientific research into my mind, and inspired me to continue my scientific education. While pursuing my doctorate in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics program at Emory University, I had the opportunity to investigate numerous research questions in molecular biology, microbial pathogenesis, and immunology.  More specifically, I uncovered the necessity of certain signaling pathways that are activated by innate immune receptors, such as toll-like receptors during infection with A/E pathogens, which include enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). This experience led me to become increasingly curious about the roles that evolutionarily conserved innate immune components play in host defense, autoimmune disorders, and general health of organisms. In order to pursue these interests, I have undertaken a project with Dr. Jeff Dangl here at UNC to investigate a potential role for innate immune signaling components in determining the composition of microbial communities associated with root systems of Arabidopsis thaliana. I am excited to be working in a different host model system from that utilized during my doctoral work because I feel that it will make me a more complete innate immunologist. I believe simultaneously teaching and performing research is important for one’s understanding of scientific problems; this is why the balance that SPIRE strives for appeals to me so deeply. I feel that the teaching, mentoring, and learning experience I will have access to in the SPIRE program will allow me to grow as a scientist and help me to fulfill my career goals.