Lara Kirkby

• Head Coach: Adrian Stenta
• Developed strong teamwork skills, fostering collaboration and cooperation among teammates on the field.
• Participated in community outreach programs as a representative of the team, enhancing public relations and fan engagement efforts.
• Professional Soccer Player (2017–2021, 2024–2025): Competed in multiple seasons, demonstrating leadership and commitment, with a return to play in 2024–2025 showcasing sustained performance and dedication.

Teaching assistant for Biomedical and Molecular Sciences Department in fundamentals of Chemistry for Dr. Jennifer Newell-Caito.

• Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work.
• Helped with grading assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to students based on results.

Maginnis Virology Laboratory

Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences

University of Maine, Orono, ME

Research Advisor: Melissa Maginnis, Ph.D.

Project 1: Evaluating the effectiveness of receptor antagonists on JC polyomavirus infection

Project 2: Investigating Glycan Binding Across the Four Genotypes of the BKPyV VP1 Capsid Protein Pentamer

Technique proficiency: Mammalian cell culture, BSL-2 containment procedures, cell-based assays, virus infectivity assays, FLOW cytometry, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, immunoassays, plasmid preparation, SDS-Page, and epifluorescence microscopy.

Presentations

Kirkby, L., Sandberg, A., and Maginnis, M.

Defining whether calcium-signaling inhibitors reduce JCPyV infection.

Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium (MBMSS),

Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME.

Poster presentation.

Publications

Sandberg, A. L., Bond, A. C. S., Bennett, L. J., Craig, S. E., Winski, D. P., Kirkby, L. C., Kraemer, A. R., Kelly, K. G., Hess, S. T., & Maginnis, M. S. (2024). GPCR Inhibitors Have Antiviral Properties against JC Polyomavirus Infection. Viruses, 16(10), 1559. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16101559