Karissa Cross is a first-generation college student from Murphy, North Carolina. She started off her undergraduate journey at Young Harris College in north Georgia and then transferred to North Carolina State University to pursue her BS in microbiology. After graduating she then attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to pursue her PhD in microbiology. During this time, she worked with Dr. Mircea Podar at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop methods to culture the yet-uncultured bacteria in the human oral cavity and investigate what changes bacteria undergo when transitioning to host-associated environments.
In June of 2019, Karissa came to Vanderbilt University to pursue a postdoctoral position with Dr. Seth Bordenstein, and to continue her interests in studying microorganisms at the host-microbe interface using the Nasonia parasitoid wasp model system.
Learn a bit about her research from Dr. Cross herself!
"Nasonia parasitoid wasps are a model system to investigate intimate host-microbe interactions."
When you were 5, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher!
What was it about science that drew you to it?
The excitement to investigate new things that no one has ever seen before.
If you could study anything, what would it be?
All areas of microbiology! I love the diversity of microorganisms that live on earth in places such as on the human/animal body or in hot springs at Yellowstone National Park.
What's next for you?
I am pursuing faculty positions in biology so that I can continue to explore research topics that interest me and use my experiences to teach the next generation of scientists!
Best way to pass the time while waiting on an experiment to finish:
Chatting with friends!
What's the most fun "socially distanced" activity you've done recently?
Adopted a puppy named Lucy who keeps me on my toes and reminds me to take a break and and enjoy the outdoors. We really enjoy hiking.
Engage with Dr. Cross: 
