Dr. Watters did her B.S. at Truman State University majoring in Chemistry in 2006. She did her Ph.D work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with Ann Palmenberg as part of the Integrated Program in Biochemistry graduating in 2014 where she stayed as a postdoctoral fellow before moving into a Scientist role. Dr. Watters joined the Kirchdoerfer lab in December 2022 as a Scientist where she develops new methods and establishes new lines of inquiry in viral replication.