Dr. Hamrick has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, and a doctoral degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Orndorff, where she began her studies on the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes. She joined the Campbell University, School of Pharmacy in 2001 as an assistant professor and then continued on as associate professor primarily teaching in the first professional year. In addition to teaching medical microbiology and immunology, she has continued her research effort focusing on listerial pathogenesis. She joined the Campbell University, School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) in 2012 initially as adjunct faculty, and then served as interim department chair in 2013 before transitioning to the role of Assistant Dean of Scholarly Affairs and Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology. She currently serves as the Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology.