Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate, Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program, 2019-Present 

Ms. Morton is currently a PhD Candidate in Dr. Joel Meyer's lab. She uses a C. elegans model of dopaminergic neurodegeneration to investigate how inhibitors of mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I can contribute to the development of Parkinson's Disease like phenotypes. 

Prior to joining Duke, she contributed to research in sex-based genetic modifications of mosquitoes using Aedes aegypti and genome sequencing of Toxorhynchites amboinensis with the Tu lab in the Fralin Life Science Institute at Virginia Tech. She also worked as a research assistant for Dr. Mauro Carraccioli in the Political Science department, compiling research about the relationships and interactions between colonizers and indigenous peoples of South America. 

Educational Background

Bachelor of Science, 2019
Biochemistry, Cum Laude
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia

Bachelor of Arts, 2019
Political Science (National Security), Cum Laude
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia