Melissa Olsen

Melissa is a dedicated premedical student at the University of South Florida, with interests that extend beyond the classroom to tennis, running, and reading. She joined Dr. Ho’s lab in February 2023 and is now serving as Project Manager on an Anemia R21 study. Her research is centered on understanding anemic onset in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants, aiming to provide a holistic view of this condition. With the help of other team members and under Dr. Ho’s mentorship, Melissa has also developed a project investigating the potential role of lactoferrin and calprotectin as inflammatory biomarkers within the microbiome of this vulnerable population. Through her work, she bridges classroom knowledge with hands-on research, gaining insight into applying scientific techniques and deepening her curiosity for clinical research.