Research output per year
Research output per year
I joined the faculty of Saint Mary's College from a post-doctoral position at UCSF doing research in HIV immunology. My research in this area consisted of a fusion of genetics and immunology working to identify new potential vaccine targets against HIV. I am especially interested in the activity of endogenous retroviruses and other types of mobile genetic elements within the cell upon HIV infection. For my sabbatical in 2015 as a Fulbright scholar, I continued collaborative work (begun when I was a graduate student) with a French research group in the Alsace focusing on mobile genetic elements in plants. We are interested in using retroelement mobility as a potentially useful genetic marker for discriminating important subtypes within varieties of wine grapes and understanding the evolution of pathogen defenses in this historically important crop plant. Most recently, my work has focused on studying the immune responses of reef-building corals. Increasing ocean temperatures and acidification threaten the health of reef ecosystems. We do not fully understand coral's immune response to pathogens, especially those that may be exacerbated by environmental stress. My lab is interested in constructing a set of assays to measure the immune health of corals. We also hope to use these assays to help us understand the role that immunity may play in bleaching events or recovery from bleaching and re-establishment of symbiosis.
Ph.D., Genetics, University of California, Davis
… → 2004
B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California - Berkeley
… → 1995
Post-doctoral fellow; HIV Immunology and Virology, University of California, San Francisco
Jan 1 2005 → Jan 1 2008
Technical Support and Training Scientist, Hitachi Genetic Systems
Jan 1 1997 → Jan 1 1999
Researcher and Criminalist, California Department of Justice DNA Laboratory
Jan 1 1994 → Jan 1 1997
Lecturer, Introductory Biology, University of San Francisco
… → Jan 1 2008
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Garrison, K. (Member)
Activity: Membership › Membership of network
Garrison, K. (Member)
Activity: Membership › Membership of committee