Marsha DeSmet, PhD, is a virologist and educator with a strong background in host-viral interactions. She earned her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Purdue University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, a Catholic liberal arts institution that shaped her early passion for science and mentorship.
Dr. DeSmet completed her postdoctoral training at the Indiana University School of Medicine as part of a prestigious NIH T32 fellowship. Her postdoctoral research focused on post-translational modifications of the HPV E2 replicative protein. Her current work explores the role of R-loops in HPV replication and genome maintenance, aiming to uncover how viral manipulation of host transcriptional processes contributes to persistence and oncogenesis. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and contributed to advancing our understanding of HPV-host interactions.
In addition to her research, Dr. DeSmet is passionate about mentoring students and is committed to fostering a supportive academic environment. She brings a student-centered, inquiry-driven approach to education, grounded in her Catholic faith and a commitment to developing the next generation of scientific and medical professionals. She is especially dedicated to training students in the laboratory, guiding them through experimental research, scientific presentations, and authorship on peer-reviewed publications.
Outside of academia, Dr. DeSmet is a proud mother to an 11-year-old son. They enjoy spending quality time together playing video games and taking walks outdoors. In her free time, she teaches Sunday school classes and finds joy in mentoring children.
