Elizabeth Hunsaker, Ph.D.

Biography

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hunsaker earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Duke University where she studied at the intersection of bioinorganic chemistry and infectious disease. Her research focused on the role of biologically relevant transition metals in the response of pathogenic fungi to antimicrobial drug stress, and how the availability of these metals during infection influences the efficacy of antifungal therapies.

As a graduate student, Lizzie was selected to receive a Department of Education GAANN Fellowship. As a fellow, she led a study to investigate the experiences of graduate students serving as in-lab mentors to undergraduates and identify best practices for creating and fostering positive relationships between mentors and mentees.

During graduate school, Lizzie was selected by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to participate in a Capitol Hill Day where she discussed the importance of biomedical research funding with members of Congress. Following this visit, she arranged for an aide from her Senator’s office to visit Duke to meet with faculty and students, tour research labs, and learn about federally supported research in the department.

While at Duke, Lizzie contributed policy briefs related to nanotechnology policy to the Duke SciPol legislative tracking website.

She served on the Graduate Chemistry Council as treasurer, science outreach coordinator, and fundraising chair. Lizzie was active in the North Carolina local section of the ACS and served as chair of its Younger Chemists Committee.

Lizzie has also earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Catawba College.

Contact

Find Lizzie on LinkedIn