Alison Kell, PhD
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado. I then made my way to the Pacific Northwest to complete my graduate work with Dr. Gael Kurath, developing novel in vivo superinfection assays to determine phenotypic and genetic correlates of viral fitness for the salmonid rhabdovirus, Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis virus. To fully appreciate the impact of host immune pressure on viral fitness and evolution, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Michael Gale, Jr at the University of Washington as a postdoctoral fellow. I’m now excited to bring my independent research program to the University of New Mexico to study the molecular mechanisms underlying divergent host responses to orthohantavirus infection.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, camping, running, and the ever-present NM sunshine.
Autumn LaPointe, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of North Carolina Asheville. From there I moved to the University of Louisville in Kentucky where I completed my graduate work with Dr. Kevin Sokoloski studying how altering the production of noncapped genomic RNA affected alphaviral infection and disease. To continue studying how viral RNAs can affect host immune responses, I moved further westward and joined the Kell Lab here at the University of New Mexico.
Science aside, I am an avid plant parent, cat mom, and love all things space-related.
Stefan Klimaj - BSGP PhD student
I am a native New Mexican and discovered my love for the life sciences here at the University of New Mexico. My love for science began with the exploration of how consciousness evolved, and I finished my first bachelor's degree studying psychology and human evolutionary biology. While working in cognitive neuroscience, I sought to understand the molecular mechanisms that underly cell functioning and finished a second BS in biochemistry which led me to join the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program at UNM, where I became fascinated with infectious disease through my coursework. This fascination led me to join the Kell Lab as a graduate student to explore the mechanisms of orthohantavirus infection. Outside of academia, I have a deep love of the culinary arts, gardening, beekeeping, and exploring the beautiful state of New Mexico with my partner Ryan and my dachshund Samantha.
Kimberly Martinez - Research Scientist
I initially started my educational journey focusing on nursing, and after working in a hospital setting as a nursing tech, I decided that I wanted to take a different path. I had long held a love for chemistry and biology, and after leaving the medical field I chose to pursue my interest in the sciences by getting my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of New Mexico. Early in this degree path I acquired a love for working in a laboratory setting through jobs that focused on flow cytometry. I then started to grow an interest in virology, specifically how viruses interact with and evade the host immune system, which led me to start working for the Kell lab studying Orthohantaviruses. I started working in the Kell lab as a senior undergraduate student, and continued there after my graduation.
Outside of academia and the lab setting, I am a loving cat and dog mom. I enjoy reading, crocheting, as well as attending local events and festivals around New Mexico.
DaKobed - mascot, cheerleader
Named after Glacier Peak in WA state, DaKobed contributes an infectious enthusiasm and reminds us that every day offers new opportunities for discovery. And to never pass up a shady spot with a view.
Join the lab
Enthusiastic undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to send a cover letter and CV to AMKell [at] salud.unm.edu