Kyle Hennessy is a soon to be graduate from The Pennsylvania State University. He obtained a degree in Microbiology and a minor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where he has been named on the Dean’s List. Kyle has a special interest in pathogenic bacteria and the structural components of viruses, how they interact with both the innate and adaptive immune system, and how the immune system responds. Kyle did undergraduate research in the Meredith Laboratory at Penn State where he worked on Bifidobacterium adolescentis  strain L2-32 lipoprotein characterization and how the structure interacts with the immune system. Kyle was awarded the Undergraduate Research Support from the Eberly College of Science. Kyle presented his research at the Undergraduate Exhibition. Kyle also worked on another research project where an antibiotic producing organism was isolated from soil and was identified. These research experiences helped Kyle gain valuable skills and experience.

Kyle will be working on his master’s degree in biology starting in the fall at East Stroudsburg University where he hopes to continue gaining valuable research experience and knowledge to help grow his skills. Kyle hopes one day to obtain his PhD in microbiology and become an expert in structural components of bacteria or viruses and their interaction with the immune system. Kyle hopes to work for a pharmaceutical company like Sanofi or Pfizer after he finishes his education to help develop vaccines and other important drugs.