Lieutenant Colonel Danielle Saunders
Deputy Director, Life Sciences Research Center & Assistant Professor of Biology
Bio
Lt Col Saunders is an Assistant Professor of Biology and serves as the Deputy Director of the Life Sciences Research Center (LSRC), Department of Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lt Col Saunders received her commission through the ROTC program in 2008. She has served in multiple positions as a scientist within the Air Force Research Labs and as an intelligence officer at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Kansas (2022)
Master of Science in Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2017)
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2008)
Professional Experience
Deputy Director, Life Sciences Research Center and Assistant Professor of Biology, Dean of Faculty, USAFA, Colorado (2024 – Present)
Assistant Professor of Biology and Assistant Director of Academic Operations, Dean of Faculty, USAFA, Colorado (2022 – 2024)
Graduate Student, Doctor of Philosophy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University (2019 – 2022)
Deputy Chief, Energetic Materials Branch, Air Force Research Labs, Eglin, AFB, Florida (2017 – 2019)
Graduate Student, Master of Science, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2015 – 2017)
Flight Commander, Imagery Analysis, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2014 – 2015)
Flight Commander, Cyber Human Intelligence, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2012 – 2014)
Student, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow, AFB, Texas (2012)
Bioeffects Research Scientist, Radio Frequency Radiation Branch, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Labs, Fort Sam Houston, Texas (2011 – 2012)
Bioeffects Research Scientist, Radio Frequency Radiation Branch, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Labs, Brooks City-Base, Texas (2009 – 2011)
Honors & Awards
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Distinguished Graduate, Intelligence Officer Course (2012)
Air Force Materiel Command Junior Military Scientist of the Year Award (2011)
Publications
Chen GH, Dai YC, Hsieh SC, Tsai JJ, Sy AK, Jiz M, Pedroso C, Brites C, Netto EM, Kanki PJ, Saunders DRD, Vanlandingham DL, Higgs S, Huang YS, Wang WK. Detection of anti-premembrane antibody as a specific marker of four flavivirus serocomplexes and its application to serosurveillance in endemic regions. Emerging Microbes and Infections, 2024.
Maloney BE, Carpio KL, Bilyeu AN, Saunders DRD, Park SL, Pohl AE, Ball NC, Raetz JL, Huang CY, Higgs S, Barrett ADT, Roman-Sosa G, Kenney JL, Vanlandingham DL, Huang YS. Identification of the flavivirus conserved residues in the envelope protein hinge region for the rational design of a candidate West Nile live-attenuated vaccine. NPJ Vaccines, 2023.
Maloney BE, Perera KD, Saunders DRD, Shadipeni N, Fleming SD. Interactions of viruses and the humoral innate immune response. Clinical Immunology, 2020.
Ibey BL, Roth CC, Ledwig PB, Payne JA, Amato AL, Dalzell DR, Bernhard JA, Doroski MW, Mylacraine KS, Seaman RL, Nelson GS, Woods CW. Cellular effects of acute exposure to high peak power microwave systems: Morphology and toxicology. Bioelectromagnetics, 2016.
Thompson GL, Roth CC, Dalzell DR, Kuipers M, Ibey BL. Calcium influx affects intracellular transport and membrane repair following nanosecond pulsed electric field exposure. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2014.