Kayla Rayford is a skillful biomedical scientist who focused her doctorate studies on microbiology and immunology. While attending Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Kayla worked as a graduate research assistant investigating molecular mechanisms of host cell response contributing to pathogenesis and infection during early Trypanosoma cruzi infection using primary cell lines. During her graduate school career, Kayla coordinated laboratory projects, mentored other students, presented at national and local conferences, co-authored peer-reviewed articles, and instructed multiple courses.
Kayla worked on several other research projects while pursuing her undergraduate degree. She became an Alaska/Oregon Research Training Alliance Fellow at the University of Oregon, a SOAR Fellow at Georgetown University, and a STAR-PREP Research Fellow at the University of Maryland.
In addition, Kayla has extensive experience with molecular biology techniques to investigate infectious diseases and cancer pathogenesis.
Services
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
American Society for Microbiology
American Heart Association
American Society for Matrix Biology
Recognition & Accomplishments
Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award, Meharry Medical College, 2023
American Society for Matrix Biology Fibroblast Workshop Travel Award, 2022
American Heart Association BCVS Cardiovascular Outreach Award, 2022
The Microbiology Immunology Academic Award, Meharry Medical College, 2021-2022
Publications
Co-author, “Trypanosoma cruzi dysregulates expression profile of piRNA in primary human cardiac fibroblasts during early infection phase,” Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2023
Co-author, “Trypanosoma cruzi Dysregulates piRNAs Computationally Predicted to Target IL-6 Signaling Molecules During Early Infection of Primary Human Cardiac Fibroblasts,” Immune Network, 2022
Co-author, “Thrombospondin-1 expression and modulation of Wnt and hippo signaling pathways during the early phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection of heart endothelial cells,” PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2022
Credentials
Education
Meharry Medical College (Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, 2023)
Bowie State University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2017)