Michael Wagner

Graduate Student

Michael began his career in biological sciences as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). While studying at UMBC Michael worked at the Keith Porter Imaging Facility where he conducted original research, and developed and refined techniques in microscopy across multiple platforms including confocal fluorescence, transmission electron, and scanning electron. After graduating amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, Michael joined the lab and began work on developing a renewable and easily transfectable neuronal model for enteroviral infection. Michael has since developed a protocol for differentiating SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells into a neuron-like dopaminergic phenotype. Michael is also investigating neuron-specific SNARE proteins that may play a role in the enterovirus life cycles, as well as contribute to the neurotropism exhibited by some enteroviruses(e.g., acute flaccid myelitis). In his free time, Michael enjoys playing music, disc golf, cooking, gardening, and taking on more home improvement projects than he could ever hope to accomplish.