VERTICES PREP Program

Elise Turner, a Charlotte, NC native, is an NIH PREP Scholar at Vanderbilt University through the VERTICES program. She earned her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Howard University, where she cultivated a passion for microbiology and mentoring. At Howard, Elise served as a peer mentor and Public Relations Chair for the university’s American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Student Chapter, fostering community and scientific engagement among her peers.

Elise’s research journey began in Howard’s Graduate School Microbiology Department, where she investigated the mechanisms regulating Staphyloxanthin production, a key virulence factor in Staphylococcus aureus. Her work contributed to understanding how bacterial adaptations influence infection severity and therapeutic strategies.

Currently, Elise’s research focuses on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the leading cause of recurrent urinary tract infections. At Vanderbilt, she studies how UPEC exploits cellular processes and manipulates host signaling, with a particular emphasis on its colonization of the vaginal niche. Her work seeks to uncover bacterial regulatory mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets to mitigate infection and antibiotic resistance.

Elise is passionate about advancing health equity through translational research and empowering others through science communication and mentorship. She aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology, where she plans to further explore host-pathogen interactions and microbial adaptations in complex environments. Elise’s long-term goal is to contribute to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and advocate for the importance of microbiological research in addressing global health challenges.

When she’s not in the lab, Elise enjoys engaging in outreach activities, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited to continue building her career as a scientist, teacher, and advocate for the next generation of researchers.