Kristina received her Ph.D. in immunology in 2014 from the University of Colorado Denver – Anschutz Medical Campus. Her thesis work focused on investigating the immune response to mosquito-transmitted viruses, specifically chikungunya virus and Ross River virus, which cause severe arthritis-like symptoms. She also completed a Certificate in Global Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, investigating the immune response to malaria infection. She is passionate about global public health and infectious disease research. Outside of the lab, Kristina enjoys participating in triathlons, hiking, reading, cooking, and trying new breweries.