Emma Loveday

Emma Loveday is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University. Her research focuses on emerging respiratory viruses, particularly influenza A and SARS-CoV-2, utilizing cutting-edge microfluidics technologies for single-cell analysis. She leads studies at MSU’s BSL3 laboratory, investigating viral pathogenesis and diagnostic methods. Loveday holds a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of British Columbia and a BS in Biochemistry from Suffolk University (Summa Cum Laude). She received an NSF Graduate Fellowship for her doctoral work on microRNA regulation in influenza infections.

Key research areas include developing droplet-based microfluidics for high-throughput viral quantification and studying viral-host interactions in zoonotic models. Her recent work explores SARS-CoV-2 antiviral responses in bat organoids and metabolic changes during viral infection. Over 15 peer-reviewed articles showcase her contributions to virology, diagnostics, and single-cell technologies.

• Education:
  • PhD, Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia (2014)
  • BS, Biochemistry, Suffolk University (2008), Summa Cum Laude
  • MS, Chemical & Biological Engineering, MSU (2017)
• Awards:
  • NSF Graduate Fellowship (2014)

Her lab contributes to global biofilm engineering initiatives through the Center for Biofilm Engineering at MSU. Current projects include optimizing RT-LAMP assays for rapid viral detection and characterizing HSV-1 infection in neuronal microfluidics models.