Sara Stoner, PhD

I am a PhD-trained immunologist and microbiologist with expertise in scientific writing, communication, and translating complex biological concepts into impactful content. I have extensive experience generating a wide variety of scientific content, including peer-reviewed manuscripts, grant proposals, slide decks, social media materials, newsletters, and plain-language articles. I pride myself in having the ability to successfully tailor scientific topics according to the knowledge level of my audience.

Email: saranstoner@gmail.com

Minireview Graphical Summary | Prevotella in the airway: implications for lung health and pathogen defense mediated by Prevotella-host interactions

BioRender graphical summary included in a first-author review article accepted for publication at the Journal of Bacteriology. This review highlights the impact of airway Prevotella species on the host immune system and defense against pathogens.

Manuscript | Myeloid cell reprogramming drives enhanced defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae lung infection following exposure to commensal Prevotella

First author manuscript currently under review at a peer-reviewed journal featuring my postdoctoral work, which characterizes the host immune response induced by an airway commensal bacterium to kill the respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Manuscript | Pseudomonas aeruginosa polysaccharide Psl supports airway microbial community development

First-author manuscript published in the ISME Journal exploring the role of a common respiratory pathogen's interactions with other neighboring bacteria commonly found in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis.

Manuscript | Commensal colonization reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa burden and subsequent airway damage

First-author manuscript published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, where I demonstrated that colonization of rat lungs with an airway commensal bacterial species called Streptococcus salivarius lead to lower burdens of a respiratory pathogen called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as reduced tissue damage.

Research Communities by Springer Nature • 27th March 2022

Springer Nature Article | Friendly Hitchhiker: An oral commensal streptococcus exploits a Pseudomonas aeruginosa polysaccharide to promote its own colonization

Article featured in "Nature: Behind the Paper" which gives a behind the scenes looking into the making of one of my first-author manuscripts.

Website Article | Host–pathogen scientist studies viruses that exploit immune defenses to drive infection

"Meet the Scientist" article written in plain language to communicate the research of professors at CU Anschutz to the general public and to potential donors of CU Anschutz.

Social Media Materials | Postdoc Spotlight

Example of weekly "Postdoc Spotlight" posts that I generate for the CU Anschutz Biomedical Sciences Instagram page. These posts highlight the research of postdocs, their challenges and future aspirations, and advice for the next generation of scientists in order to increase public engagement with the scientific community.

21st February 2026

Slide Deck | Myeloid reprogramming drives enhanced defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae after commensal Prevotella exposure

Slide deck highlighting postdoctoral work characterizing how commensal airway Prevotella species activate the host immune system to fight off respiratory infection using single cell RNA sequencing.

PhD Post • 15th April 2026

Newsletter Article | From Microbes to Moguls: How a Bacterial Protein Helps to Extend Your Ski Season

This newsletter article explains how a bacterial species found ubiquitously in the environment is used to create artificial snow for ski resorts. This article was written for the PhD Post- a biannual newsletter at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Poster Presentation | Friendly Microbes: How Your Lung Microbiome Helps Protect You from Pneumonia

Plain-language poster of my postdoctoral research highlighting the importance of residential airway bacteria in protecting against respiratory pathogens. This was presented to lawmakers at the Colorado State Capitol to communicate the importance of state funding for research.

1st September 2025

Poster Presentation | scRNA-Seq reveals dynamic functions of myeloid cells during Prevotella -induced airway clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Poster presentation highlighting postdoctoral work characterizing how commensal airway Prevotella species activate the host immune system to fight off respiratory infection using single cell RNA sequencing. Awarded American Association of Immunologists Young Investigator Award at the 2025 Colorado Immunology and Microbiology Conference.

F31 Grant Proposal | Interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus salivarius and effects on the host immune response

Successfully funded National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute F31 grant proposal focused on interactions between a common respiratory pathogen and an airway "commensal" bacteria species in the context of the cystic fibrosis lung.