Bettina grew up on the East Coast of the USA and is a broadly trained molecular biologist.  She has a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Virginia Tech where she studied regulation of microtubule motor proteins.  She has worked on the biochemistry of plant natural products, sucrose-regulation in plants, biomass mutants of rice, and briefly headed the SARS-CoV2 screening lab at Colorado State University.  In the Avanzi lab Bettina is focused on applying the ribosomal synthesis ratio as a measure of the physiology of M. leprae.  Outside of the lab she enjoys gardening, baking, cooking, and spending time with family.

Q. How many bands would you have if you were an armadillo?

A. 3