The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting (ANM). Our fifth spotlight of this series is Celeste Snyder, Ph.D. student working in the Vincent Lab at Iowa State University and United States Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Services, which are both affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania CEIRR (Penn-CEIRR) program. Snyder earned First Place in the Surveillance category for her poster titled “Occupationally Exposed and General Population Antibody Profiles to Influenza A Viruses Circulating in Swine as an Indication of Zoonotic Risk; 2022-23.” 

Snyder and her colleagues looked to measure antibodies to swine influenza A virus (IAV) present in humans as an indicator of zoonotic risk, or the potential for the virus to cause infections in people. Understanding the status of human immunity to swine IAV is a valuable measure to predict if individuals will be protected should the virus start circulating and is helpful in guiding public health decisions. Serum samples were taken from individuals that frequently encounter swine (e.g., farm workers, veterinarians) and compared to general population cohorts from Hong Kong and Philadelphia. Self-reported vaccination rates for the sampled swine farm employees were lower than the national average for the 2022-2023 season, and over 80% of individuals in the occupational and Philadelphia cohorts had antibody titers below the detection limit for five of the ten tested swine strains. These results indicate that further analysis is needed to better understand the immune landscape and risk of spillover for those working with swine compared to the general population. 

Snyder told the iDPCC that “swine [being] susceptible to both human, avian, and endemic swine-adapted influenza viruses” is what motivates her to study her current research project. She stated that “people working closely with these animals - veterinarians and farmers - are on the front lines of potential spillover events” and that her “work could help identify which populations are most vulnerable and when we might need to start worrying about a new pandemic threat.” Additionally, she stated that the collaborative efforts of CEIRR have been hugely beneficial to her scientific training. Snyder added that “everyone is excited to share what they're working on and have conversations to learn from others - whether it's someone studying surveillance or vaccine development, we're all contributing to a goal of pandemic preparedness,” ultimately allowing her to understand how her specific project fits into the bigger picture of influenza research. 

To learn more about Snyder herself, the iDPCC asked several questions to get to know her better:

1. Who/what inspired you to go into science in general?

A. My undergraduate degree in public health opened my eyes to how science can directly impact communities. I realized I wanted to be part of the research that helps prevent outbreaks rather than responding to them after they happen.

2. What is one thing on your bucket list?

A. Actually understand what I'm doing in R instead of searching every function (someday)!

3. What are your plans following your training?

A. After completing my Ph.D. I hope to find a post-doctoral position where I can continue to explore zoonotic diseases from a One Health perspective.

4. Do you have advice for other trainees or students wanting to get started in research?

A. Be open to trying something new, even if it feels outside your comfort zone. There are a lot of unexpected opportunities in science.