Now, as a post-doctoral researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, Taylor is once again conducting timely research. Her work focuses on why COVID-19 symptoms are more severe in those with existing conditions like diabetes or heart conditions. Taylor and her research partners are examining how existing inflammation from the underlying conditions interact with the inflammation caused by a coronavirus infection.  

“I am most passionate about emerging diseases, specifically viruses, so this is exactly the kind of research I want to be working on,” Taylor said. “Asking questions is really important to understand disease in people and the hope is that we will develop a technology or a medicine to address the relationship of coronavirus and underlying conditions. That is a scientist’s dream—to have the research you do ultimately help people.”

While Taylor’s work in the lab will help those suffering from the virus, she has also looked for solutions for her fellow Black microbiologists outside of the lab. Last summer, in the midst of social injustices and racial inequalities being brought to the forefront, Taylor co-founded the Black Microbiologists Association.

The association’s mission is to showcase and amplify the voices of Black microbiologists from around the globe while creating a community for them to network and support their pursuit of equity in academe, industry, government and beyond.

“After the summer with George Floyd and Breonna Taylor being killed by police, there was a whole movement between Black scientists to come together,” Taylor said. “And it just amplified that as I continued my studies with different degrees, I started seeing less and less Black faces—among professors teaching the class as well as among my classmates. So, my friend and I created the Black Microbiologists Association and, within six weeks, had the Blacks in Micro week planned with each day focusing on a different discipline, a platform for sharing experiences of racism in the field and identifying challenges and solutions. Now, we continue to be a place for companies, academic institutions and government agencies to share job opportunities as they look to diversify their talent.”