Research Focus
Dr. Allmon has a background in marine science with particular focuses on molecular biology, physiology, and toxicology. She received her Ph.D. in aquatic toxicology from Purdue University and completed postdoctoral appointments at Purdue University and Texas Biomed. Her previous research aimed to link changes at the molecular level to functional changes at the organismal level following exposures to multiple natural and chemical stressors during early development. Currently, Dr. Allmon is a Study Director in Applied Science and Innovation group. Her research focuses on vaccine and therapy development for high consequence viruses – specifically those resulting in viral hemorrhagic fevers. Her work utilizes well-characterized non-human primate and small animal models to support efficacy testing of candidate vaccines and therapeutics within the BSL4 laboratory. She is involved in study planning, protocol preparation, and study execution of natural history and efficacy studies conducted in BSL2, BLS3, and BSL4 laboratories in close collaboration with government and private sponsors. In addition to project leadership, she is actively involved in the mentorship of fellow lab-mates and regularly participates in continuing education/ educational outreach activities.
Main Technologies and Methods Used
- BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory research
- Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS)
- PBMC Isolation
- Pharmacokinetics Analysis
- ELISA
- Cell culture and infection assays
- Molecular biology: DNA & RNA purification, PCR, RT-qPCR