Sommer Holmes

Rotating Graduate Student


Sommer is a North Carolina native and graduate of Davidson College, where she earned a B.S. in Biology in 2021. Following graduation, Sommer joined the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, contributing to nearly four years of work investigating B cell responses to HIV with a focus on characterizing the neonatal immune response for the broader goal of informing effective vaccine strategies.

Now pursuing a Ph.D. in Immunology at Duke, Sommer continues to follow her passion for scientific discovery and translational research. Her interests span a range of topics related to host immunity and disease, unified by a commitment to improving health outcomes through rigorous, curiosity-driven science.

Outside the lab, Sommer enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with friends, and exploring just about any craft project that sparks creativity.