Second year Ph.D. student Caroline Palmentiero ’23 studied microbiology in her undergrad but couldn’t seem to get away from biochemistry, choosing it for her minor and becoming a lab technician for G&B professor Dr. James Morris.
“My undergraduate research was in the microbiology department, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t quite what I wanted to pursue long term. I took molecular basis of disease with Dr. Morris. I became his laboratory technician and loved everything about the lab, his mentorship and the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), which is why I decided to continue research as a graduate student after I graduated in December of 2023.”
Caroline’s graduate research under Dr. James Morris focuses on the development of genetic engineering techniques and drug screening in the pathogenic free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which is almost always fatal, but it remains highly understudied because of the rarity of exposure.
“I love the research that we do because we are developing new techniques that can provide novel insights into the organism and searching for new treatments that could potentially save lives.”
Caroline is unsure regarding post-graduation plans, but I could see herself pursuing drug/vaccine development or working in a clinical setting of some sort. Regardless, she is grateful for the opportunities provided to her at Clemson.
“I love the department, especially being in EPIC, because everyone is always so willing to help each other. There are so many people to turn to for advice and everyone really loves what they do.”
Outside of the lab, Caroline describes herself as a homebody and family-centered, spending time relaxing at home with her dog and fiancé either reading, watching TV, cooking or planning her March 2026 wedding.
