BALTIMORE, Md. – Allison Fitzgerald of the women's swimming team took on an internship with the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) this summer.
 
During her internship, she worked in immunology and vaccine developmental research, in the Supporting Undergraduate Members in Microbiology and Immunology Research (SUMMIR) program. 
 
Fitzgerald spent the summer with the program studying the shifting immune profile of Bordetella pertussis, which is the bacteria that causes whooping cough. She put forth these efforts as they continue to work towards creating a new vaccine. 
 
"I was able to conduct my own experiments, do independent studies and present my research as a poster and oral presentation at the UMSOM student symposiums," said Fitzgerald. "I will be returning this spring to continue my research!"