Cindy Ly
Advisor: David Davido
Research Interests: My research focuses on understanding virus-host interactions in the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) life cycle. HSV-1 is a common human pathogen infecting about 80% of the world’s population. The virus establishes a life-long latency in neuronal cells and upon activation can cause a variety of diseases such as cold sores, ocular infections, and encephalitis. One major area of interest is to delineate mechanisms by which a major viral regulatory factor, ICP0, destabilizes host cell proteins while contributing to viral replication and pathogenesis. Another part of my thesis will focus on identifying novel compounds that impair HSV-1 growth.
Leadership Roles: Women in STEMM Program Chair, KS DNA Day Co-Coordinator, MB GSO Outreach Coordinator
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Education
B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Chemistry (Biochemistry concentration) - Florida International University (2016)
Selected Awards & Honors
2018 NIH Chemical Biology Trainee
2018 Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett Woman Mentoring Woman at KU Recipient
2017 KU University Graduate Fellow, Ronald E. McNair Fellow