ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Microbiology & Immunology for giving me the opportunity to train and complete my doctoral work in an amazing environment. This department is truly one of a kind and I appreciate all of the guidance and support. I would like to thank my thesis advisor and mentor, Dr. Pat Schloss, for taking me into his lab and being extremely supportive all these years. I really appreciate everything you have done for me; you have been instrumental in my development as a scientist and a person. I would also like to thank Dr. Grace Chen for working with me so closely during my thesis project. You have been an important secondary mentor for me and I appreciate all of your patience and guidance. Thank you to the remaining members of my committee, Dr. Vincent Young, Dr. Gary Huffnagle, and Dr. Gregory Dick. I always felt like my project was a team effort and your guidance, advice, and support have been a huge help in keeping me focused and developing my thesis project. I owe a ton of thanks to the current and past members of the Schloss lab. Thank you Alyx Schubert, Niel Baxter, Matt Jenior, Kathryn Iverson, Hamide Sinani, Tao Ding, Sarah Westcott, and Jim Kozich, for helpful discussions, editing, and just making lab a fun and interesting place to come to ever