Kirsten Dunlap

Kirsten headshotKirsten Dunlap is currently a master’s student at the University of Arkansas. She hails from Tucumcari, New Mexico where she graduated high school in 2012. Upon finishing high school, Kirsten moved to Durango, Colorado to embrace the mountain lifestyle and earn a bachelor’s degree at Fort Lewis College. During her four year stay, she was able to complete research investigating the antimicrobial properties of maggots. This research culminated in a thesis, “The investigation of the antibacterial properties of the excretions and secretions of Lucilia sericata larvae.” In 2016, Kirsten’s hard work earned her a bachelor’s in Cellular & Molecular Biology (Exercise Science minor) with cum laude honors. Kirsten’s career goals shifted after graduation and new aspirations brought her to Arkansas. She was offered an internship with the U of A’s Strength & Conditioning staff. Under their direction, she gained experience coaching and programming. With the first year of her master’s completed, Kirsten’s sights have shifted again. Her long time interest in cellular biology has brought her back into the lab and she is as excited as ever to be working under the direction of Dr. Greene. Kirsten hopes to complete a master’s thesis before graduating in the spring of 2019. Her research interests include muscle wasting and muscle in chronic disease. She is also completing research on aging at the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education as a fellow. She will be applying to PhD programs in the fall.

When she’s not dedicating herself to her studies, Kirsten enjoys hiking, reading, jogging, lifting, and being outdoors. She loves getting back to the Southwest whenever she can to visit family and to explore the desert and mountains.