Danica completed her PhD in Microbiology & Immunology in the labs of Ami Bhatt and Gavin Sherlock at Stanford University. During her PhD she studied novel phage lifestyles within the context of the human gut microbiome. As a postdoc in the Valdivia lab, Danica is interested in studying tripartite interactions of phage, bacteria, and human mucosal immunity. She is particularly interested in examining how structural variation drives rapid adaptation, thereby shaping these complex interactions. 

Outside of the lab Danica enjoys riding her horse, hiking, gardening, cooking/baking, and doing crafts with her cat in her lap.