Dr. Amber Paulson earned her PhD in genetics from Massey University in Auckland New Zealand. Her research there focused on using RNA sequencing and molecular microbiology to study how the insecticidal bacteria Yersinia entomophaga responds during different phases of infection and at different temperatures. Dr. Paulson also carried out a multi-omics study identifying tick-borne pathogens in blacklegged ticks during her previous postdoctoral appointment at Queen’s University, in Kingston Ontario.
Dr. Paulson is highly skilled in RNA sequencing, integrative bioinformatics, and functional genetics. Her work primarily delves into the arthropod microbiome and the evolution of zoonotic diseases. Currently, her research centres around understanding the molecular evolution of epigenetic interference as an anti-host mechanism in the context of COVID-19.