Savannah Morris

Hometown: 
Stillwater, Oklahoma

High School: 
Stillwater High School

Education:
B.S., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University 

My grandfather passed away from a long battle with prostate cancer while I was in high school. This got me interested in further understanding what causes cancer on a cellular level and how to develop more treatments to stop it.

I work with Dr. Ann West. My Ph.D. research projects focus on the role of two-component signal transduction systems in regulating the diverse lifestyle of Clostridioides difficile. Specifically, how response regulators affect biological response, such as growth and sporulation, due to an outside stimulus. 

Although I was originally interested in Biochemistry to study cancer, I have found an interest in understanding the lifestyles of pathogenic bacteria. I'm not 100% sure of my plans yet, but I see two possible future paths. Either continuing to researching pathogenic bacteria or be in a position to help graduate school be a place where students are able to better succeed and have more professional development opportunities to assist in that success.

Publications, Presentations & Awards