She earned her BSc in Natural Sciences at the University ­­of Texas in Austin, Texas and her PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of California in San Diego, California. Dr. Lakdawala’s lab studies the molecular properties contributing to the epidemiological success of influenza A viruses to better predict future pandemics. There are two main areas of research in her lab 1) exploring the intracellular dynamics of influenza viral RNA assembly and 2) defining the viral properties necessary for efficient airborne transmission of influenza viruses.