People

Roles: Faculty, 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.

Roles: Faculty, Potential MFF (REU) Host

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

We are actively engaged in defining the signals that enable effector T cells to ‘find’ areas of infection and damage within inflamed tissues. We utilize intravital multiphoton microscopy and optogenetic tools to visualize and manipulate effector CD4+ T cells in situ. These approaches have revealed extrinsic control of effector CD4+ T cell movement; with roles for chemokines in regulating accumulation and activation at inflamed sites, and roles for T cell integrins in promoting interactions with the extracellular matrix for guided movement. Intrinsic programming of effector CD4+ T cell subsets sets distinct thresholds for sensitivity to these extrinsic cues. By identifying key parameters for T cell effector activity in the inflamed dermis we aim to inform new inflammation-specific therapies.

Roles: Faculty, Potential MFF (REU) Host

Research Areas: Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection

The Gallagher lab studies the regulation of steps in the bacterial life cycle through sporulation in the soil-dwelling genus Streptomyces. Students will delete and overexpress genes that are predicted to regulate development and examine resulting phenotypes to identify novel regulatory mechanisms of bacterial development. This work will build student skills in molecular genetics.

Roles: Faculty

Research Areas: Animal Hosts, Bacteria, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Microbiota and Microbiomes, Veterinary/Clinical Research

I investigate what drives hosts’ contributing to pathogen dynamics across biological scales, from host-pathogen molecular interactions to host species interactions. To do so, I combine theoretical, observational, and experimental approaches, and consider various study systems in the lab and in the field, including emerging bat-borne viruses and their hosts, and bacterial pathogens of endangered seabirds. I collaborate with stakeholders to translate scientific outputs into sustainable, targeted solutions against pathogen threats, with the focus on ecological interventions.

Roles: Faculty, Potential Undergraduate Mentor

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

Parasite life history strategies within the host, especially the timing of replication and transmission, influence disease severity and spread. I study how subtle differences in ecology within and outside the host can generate dramatic differences in parasite strategies. My research program uses two major approaches:

1. Building ecologically-detailed models to ask when and why particular strategies would be favored
2. Developing novel statistical approaches to better characterize parasite traits from existing data

Roles: Faculty, Potential Postdoc Mentor, Potential Undergraduate Mentor

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

My research focuses on the biology, ecology and behavior of mosquitoes that transmit human diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile virus and malaria. I have developed methods for studying blood feeding patterns, survival and longevity, mating behavior and feeding behavior of mosquitoes in both the laboratory and field. I am additionally interested in evaluating mating competition and fitness of transgenic mosquitoes prior to field deployment. We also work on tick ecology and control including work with the Lyme disease vector I. scapularis and the invasive Asian Longhorned tick H. longicornis.

Roles: Faculty

Research Areas: Agriculture Research, Fungi, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes, Plant Hosts

Most flowering plants develop mutualistic symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to improve access to essential mineral nutrients. The fungal endosymbionts are housed in membrane-bound compartments within root cells. Our research combines genetic, genomic and cell biology approaches to dissect the plant and fungal cellular programs for establishment and regulation of AM symbiosis, and mechanisms of symbiotic phosphate transport.

Roles: Faculty

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

We study the transmission and impacts of infectious disease in a changing ocean and mechanisms of immune function in marine invertebrates. We work to identify the value of intact ocean biodiversity and develop strategies towards a healthier ocean.

Roles: Faculty, Potential MFF (REU) Host

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

The Hay lab uses methods from microbial ecology, physiology, genomics, and genetics to understand how human activities affect microbes in diverse environmental settings. For instance, we study how handling of milk collection kits affects the microbiome of pumped human milk. Students will use genomics to characterize the metabolic potential of bacteria isolated from this work.  

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

Research Areas: Agriculture Research, Animal Hosts, Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection, Microbiota and Microbiomes, Plant Hosts, Viruses

Our research uses a combination of molecular, genetic, and proteomics approaches to understand how insects transmit plant pathogens and how pathogens manipulate host plants to ensure replication and transmission. For instance, students will characterize the transmission rates of viruses by different genotypes of aphids in lab experiments, to understand disease spread in agriculture.