Dr. Jennifer O’Connor specializes in examining the emergence of infectious disease through viruses. This includes virus replication, the functions of viral proteins, why and how viruses emerge, and discovering and characterizing new viruses. Dr. O’Connor’s recent research with students employed molecular biology to study the emergence of viral diseases and identify undiscovered viruses among amphibian and bee populations.

Teaching Interests

  • General biology
  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer biology

Research Interests

  • Virus discovery
  • Biology education
  • Small world initiative
  • K-12 outreach

Degrees

  • PhD, University of Tennessee, Microbiology, 1997
  • BA, Miami University, Microbiology, 1991
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