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  1. Pamela Chang, Immunology and Chemical Biology

    Pamela Chang

    Title: Assistant Professor
    Department: Microbiology & Immunology, CVM

    Roles: Faculty Investigator, Potential Postdoc Mentor

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Bacteria, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes

    Our research focuses primarily on three areas:

    1. We develop activity-based probes to understand the metabolic activity catalyzed by the gut microbiome during different disease states.
    2. We also characterize the small-molecule metabolites produced by the gut microbiota that regulate inflammation during inflammatory diseases and host defense during infection with enteric pathogens.
    3. Building on these discoveries, we develop chemical tools to modulate the immune response using photo-immune modulators to understand the roles of specific immune cell types in vivo.

    Read more about Pamela Chang
  2. Yung-Fu Chang, Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences

    Yung-Fu Chang

    Title: Professor
    Department: Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences

    Roles: Faculty Investigator

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Veterinary/Clinical Research, Viruses

    My research focuses on the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases and vaccine protection mechanisms.  My lab is working on the interaction of host receptors and virulence factors of C. difficile (toxins), Leptospira spp, and F. nucleatum (adhesins).  We are also working on the mucosa immunity against F. nucleatum and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis using outer membrane vesicle delivery systems, with the goal of developing a vaccine against human colon cancer and Johne’s disease.

    Read more about Yung-Fu Chang
  3. Andrew Clark, Molecular Biology & Genetics

    Andrew Clark

    Title: Professor
    Department: Molecular Biology and Genetics

    Roles: Faculty Investigator

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes, Veterinary/Clinical Research, Viruses

    We study the molecular evolution and population genetics of the immune system in Drosophila and other insects, specifically focusing on comparative genomics and transcriptional regulation of the immune response. We also explore host genetic variation in microbiome composition and function in a large human twin study and in the mouse model.

    Read more about Andrew Clark
  4. J. Brooks Crickard

    Title: Assistant Professor
    Department: Molecular Biology and Genetics

    Roles: Faculty Investigator, Potential MFF (REU) Host

    Research Areas: Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes

    The Crickard lab studies chromosome maintenance pathways with a focus on homologous recombination. We use genetic approaches in combination with single molecule imaging to dissect molecular mechanisms. An example of a student project is expressing and purifying proteins to understand the role of signaling kinases in recombination.

    Read more about J. Brooks Crickard
  5. Andre Dhondt

    Title: Professor
    Department: Lab of Ornithology

    Roles: Faculty Investigator

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Veterinary/Clinical Research, Viruses

    The Dhondt lab has studied the bacterial disease mycoplasmal conjunctivitis since it emerged in birds around 1994. We currently study effects of coinfection by combining studies of Mycoplasmal gallisepticum, haemosporidian parasites and other pathogens in the same individual. Students participate in both field work (trapping, handling, and sampling birds) and lab work, as well as study blood smears to detect the presence of haemosporidian parasites.

    Read more about Andre Dhondt
  6. Tobias Dörr, Cell & Molecular Biology

    Tobias Dörr

    Title: Assistant Professor
    Department: Microbiology

    Roles: Faculty Investigator, Potential MFF (REU) Host, Potential Postdoc Mentor, Potential Undergraduate Mentor

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Bacteria, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes, Veterinary/Clinical Research

    We study how bacteria respond to and survive stressful conditions, particularly damage to the cell envelope. Students in the Doerr lab learn techniques ranging from microscopy and image analysis to molecular biology. The lab is very active with undergraduate research and has extensive experience in designing impactful short-term research projects for developing scientists.

    Read more about Tobias Dörr
  7. Gerald Duhamel, Biomedical Sciences

    Gerald Duhamel

    Title: Professor
    Department: Biomedical Sciences

    Roles: Faculty Investigator

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes, Veterinary/Clinical Research, Viruses

    My research is focused on the eukaryotic cell DNA damage response (DDR) to a novel bacterial genotoxin called cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) within the context of intestinal disease of human and animals. I also have extensive experience in the development and assessment of laboratory animal models of disease and molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.

    Read more about Gerald Duhamel
  8. Stephen Ellner, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

    Stephen Ellner

    Title: Professor
    Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

    Roles: Faculty Investigator, Potential Postdoc Mentor

    Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Plant Hosts

    I am a theoretical ecologist working on disease transmission in multi-species communities characterized by functional traits. Students and postdocs in my research group have worked on a variety of projects related to control of invasive species in heterogeneous landscapes.

    Read more about Stephen Ellner
  9. Heather Feaga, Microbiology

    Heather Feaga

    Title: Assistant Professor
    Department: Microbiology

    Roles: Faculty Investigator, Potential MFF (REU) Host, Potential Undergraduate Mentor

    Research Areas: Bacteria, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes

    The Feaga Lab uses structural, biochemical, and omics approaches to study bacterial ribosomes. Our research aims to identify new protein factors that interact with ribosomes and that keep protein synthesis running smoothly. Students will use transposon mutagenesis coupled to deep sequencing (Tn-Seq) to identify genes that are required for accurate protein synthesis. They will also use cutting-edge techniques like ribosome profiling and gain skills in genetics and molecular microbiology.  

    Read more about Heather Feaga
  10. Andrew Flyak

    Title: Assistant Professor
    Department: Microbiology & Immunology

    Roles: Faculty Investigator, Potential MFF (REU) Host, Potential Undergraduate Mentor

    Research Areas: Agriculture Research, Animal Hosts, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Veterinary/Clinical Research, Viruses

    The Flyak lab studies human antibody response to viral pathogens. We try to answer questions like, how do human antibodies neutralize rapidly mutating viruses? And, how can we design vaccines that mimic effective antibody responses seen in some individuals? In our lab, we isolate antibodies from human individuals, characterize antibodies using a wide range of immunologic and biochemistry assays, and then use structural biology techniques to “see” how antibodies bind and neutralize viral pathogens. We are currently focused on discovering the main principles of effective antibody response to the highly genetically diverse Hepatitis C virus – a leading cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

    Read more about Andrew Flyak