Bio

In the Moncla lab, I investigate the evolutionary history of H3Nx influenza A viruses (IAV), a project inspired by the 2023 canine influenza outbreak in Philadelphia. Like most IAVs, canine H3N2 influenza is avian-derived, highlighting how adaptation after a cross-species transmission event has led to sustained circulation in a new host. Given that H3Nx viruses infect a wide range of species, this virus is a fitting system for uncovering the evolutionary mechanisms that enable the emergence of novel host clades. To do this, I use phylogenetic methods to assess how host type impacts adaptive substitution and reassortment rates, with the goal of better surveilling future zoonotic spillovers. I was awarded the Martin and Pamela Winter Infectious Disease Fellowship through the Institute for Infectious & Zoonotic Diseases to support this research.

Beyond the lab, I am committed to translating infectious disease research into actionable science policy. I am increasingly interested in how scientists can engage effectively with diverse communities, policymakers, and global stakeholders, including in contexts where scientific credibility and public trust are contested. To that end, I am currently a 2026-27 Perry World House Global Policy Fellow, the Science Communication co-chair for the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG), and a working member of the Scientists Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP).

I love being outdoors, rock climbing, watching movies with friends, going to concerts, exploring different cities, eating lots of vegetarian food, and hanging out with my niece and nephew!