Ellen Upton is a fourth-year immunology PhD candidate under the mentorship of Dr. Lilliana Radoshevich. She obtained a B.S. in Biochemistry and Microbiology from Grove City College in 2018 where she also did research under the direction of Dr. Devin Stauff. Her interest in immunology and host pathogen interactions led her to the University of Iowa where she found a home in the Radoshevich lab studying ISG15 and its response in bacterial infections. Her thesis is focused on how ISG15 alters the immune system’s response to infection and what effects this has on severity of disease. Outside of lab, Ellen’s life is dictated by her 13-year-old dog Joy who loves food and long walks, she also spends time learning Korean and hanging out with friends.