Casey Meili

Background

About Casey Meili

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Utah. My research investigates how disruptions to the gut microbiota influence seizure susceptibility and neuroinflammation during viral encephalitis. I integrate approaches from microbiology, neuroscience, and immunology to better understand the gut–brain axis in neurological disease. Broadly, I’m interested in how microbial communities influence immune system development and function across diverse physiological and disease states. I hold a Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from Oklahoma State University, where I conducted the first-ever global survey of anaerobic gut fungi (AGF) in herbivorous animals. My research identified 56 novel genera and revealed the evolutionary trajectory of AGF lineages, expanding our knowledge of diversity and their ecological relationships with their hosts. My work was recognized with multiple awards, including the Graduate Research Excellence Award from Oklahoma State University, the highest public recognition of research conducted at the university. Outside of academia, I actively engage in scientific outreach and public engagement, advocating for science policy and promoting accessibility to STEM education.