Grace Deitzler

Grace Deitzler, Ph.D., serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Wyss Institute of Harvard University, specializing in host-microbe symbiosis using in vivo, in vitro, and in silico methodologies. Previously, she completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology at Oregon State University in 2023 as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Oregon State University (2023)
• B.S. in Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology (2016), with minors in Chemistry and Psychology

Dr. Deitzler's research investigates how microbial community disruptions influence host health across diverse systems—from mammalian autism models to honeybee colonies—centered on the “double-hit hypothesis” where concurrent stressors amplify disease vulnerability. Her groundbreaking honeybee work revealed probiotics accelerate mortality in Nosema-infected bees, challenging commercial apiculture practices.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2020)

As an advocate for inclusive science, she co-hosted Oregon State's award-winning “Inspiration Dissemination” podcast, created art-science interfaces to bridge public understanding, and led virtual STEM outreach for housebound children during the pandemic. She actively champions LGBTQ+ representation in academia through her research and communication platforms.