Dr. Salinas' laboratory investigates the evolution of mucosal immune systems in vertebrates with a focus on host-microbiota interactions. She is a comparative immunologist, passionate about the use of non-model organisms to understand the diversity of immune systems on earth. Her recent work on fish nasal immunity also sparked an interest in neuroimmune communication in the olfactory-brain axis which she investigates in the context of olfactory detection of viral pathogens. Dr. Salinas is actively involved in implementing initiatives that make academia a more inclusive environment.