Samantha Cotsmire
About Samantha Cotsmire
Samantha Cotsmire is a Biological Scientist at Axle Informatics, specializing in antiviral compound identification and virology research. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Design from Arizona State University and has expertise in genome manipulation, laboratory techniques, and advanced data analysis.
Work at Axle Informatics
Samantha Cotsmire currently serves as a Biological Scientist at Axle Informatics, a role she has held since 2022. Based in Rockville, Maryland, she focuses on identifying lead antiviral compounds through quantitative high-throughput screening (qHTS) at the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NIH/NCATS). Her work contributes to the development of antiviral therapies and enhances understanding of viral mechanisms.
Previous Experience at Kelly
Before joining Axle Informatics, Samantha worked as a Biological Scientist at Kelly from 2021 to 2022 for a duration of 11 months. During her time in Rockville, Maryland, she gained valuable experience in biological research, which laid the foundation for her current role. This position allowed her to further develop her skills in virology and laboratory techniques.
Education and Expertise
Samantha Cotsmire earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry from Marshall University, studying from 2007 to 2011. She later pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biological Design at Arizona State University, completing her studies from 2011 to 2021. Her doctoral thesis focused on the evolution of poxviruses and their mechanisms to evade host immune responses. She possesses expertise in genome manipulation of vaccinia virus and has advanced skills in molecular cloning and mammalian tissue culture.
Research and Technical Skills
Samantha is involved in research utilizing advanced human 3D tissue models to study host-virus immune responses. She has hands-on experience with various viruses, including SARS CoV-2, seasonal coronaviruses, and monkeypox virus. Her technical skills include live fluorescent imaging and the use of computational tools such as Python for biological data analysis. She has extensive experience working in high-containment select agent BSL3 and ABSL3 facilities, particularly with mouse models.