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PhD: Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, 2001

Olivia is a junior microbiology major currently researching in the Muller lab. She has previously researched in the Richardson lab and volunteered as an EMT in her hometown. When not on campus, you can find her exploring the local trails or playing with her cat, Bacillus.

Email: cganderson@umass.edu

Email: prescott@umass.edu

John Burand is an emeritus faculty member.

Email: csbutler@umass.edu

Ph.D.: Marine Microbiology, University of Bremen, Germany, 2011

Email: alicialihanc@umass.edu

Email: pchien@biochem.umass.edu

Endothelial cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels play a crucial role in maintaining blood vessel and organ function, and systemic health. Consequently, dysfunction of the endothelial barrier can have dire consequences in wide-ranging diseases like diabetes, sepsis and cerebral malaria.

In cerebral malaria, red blood cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum parasites accumulate in brain microvessels. This leads to endothelial activation and ultimately, dysfunction, characterized by disruption of the blood-brain barrier, clotting dysregulation, and brain swelling. The molecular

Because microbes embody the vast diversity of life and are major drivers of earth’s biogeochemical cycles, my work focuses on understanding microbes both from individual physiological perspectives as well as broad ecological perspectives. Specifically, I am interested in effects that climate change has on soil microbial communities, and applying results towards improvement of next generation biofuels. We aim to examine soil carbon dynamics, with focus on microbial carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions in the rhizosphere and within the context of plant-microbial interactions.

Email: meliasgillet@umass.edu

Email: marlonescoba@umass.edu

Email: chunkifong@umass.edu

Email: dholmes@umass.edu

Research Interests: Fungal and Neurodegenerative Disease in the Brain, Deconstruction of Biomass by Brown Rot Fungi, and Sustainable Biomaterials and Structural Biomaterial Durability.

My laboratory studies high-temperature anaerobic microorganisms that grow primarily in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Specifically, I am interested in microbial life in the subsurface biosphere, the search for life on Earth and elsewhere, numerical modeling of microbial metabolism, microbe-mineral interactions, biomarkers, and the application of thermophiles in bioremediation and bioenergy. We employ modern biological tools to link genotypes, phenotypes, and functional responses to integrate cellular behavior within and among organisms. We employ experimental and mathematical methods to

Hi all! My name is Anna and I am a Sophomore Microbiology major, from Wayland, MA, on the pre-med track. At school I do undergraduate research in the Forbes Lab, focusing on tumor eradication via bacterial viral delivery systems. I enjoy spending time on the beach with my dog and my friends!

Email: jung@umass.edu

Office: 331 Morrill Science Center I

The kDNA is a network containing thousands of catenated DNA molecules (minicircles and maxicircles, figure at left). We are interested in studying proteins involved in replicating this novel structure. Our primary focus is on a family of 4 DNA polymerases (Pol) from Trypanosoma brucei (Klingbeil et al., Mol. Cell 10, p. 175-186, figure at right) that are related to bacterial Pol I, all of which localize to the mitochondrion.This Pol I-like family is present in all the major trypanosomatid parasites, but not in mammals.

Email: glanza40@gmail.com

Microbial habitats are frequently characterized by fluid flow. Dr. Lee's laboratory explorex the intricate dynamics of microbe-fluid interactions across diverse environments ranging from natural, engineering, and clinical systems.

Email: ilepori@umass.edu

Dr. Lovley's research on the physiology and ecology of novel anaerobic microorganisms is currently focused on the role of electroactive microorganisms in biogeochemical cycling, the conversion of wastes to methane, and the corrosion of metals. He is also investigating microbial production of protein nanowires as a sustainable electronic material for applications in renewable electricity generation and biomedical sensing.

My name is Gabriela and am a sophomore microbiology student. After graduation, I am interested in pursuing a career in industry with an interest in immunology and vaccines. I am currently in Govind lab as a laboratory technician. I love listening to music, hanging out with friends, and watching or listening to true crime.

Eric Martz is an emeritus faculty member.

Email: lm@foodsci.umass.edu

Email: mdmoore@umass.edu

The genus Mycobacterium includes a number of pathogenic species that cause various diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy. The research goal of our laboratory is to understand the pathogenesis of these medically important bacteria, especially focusing on the biogenesis and functions of the plasma membrane (PM) and cell wall (CW). In fact, the multi-layered, highly impermeable complex of PM/CW represents a major virulence determinant of pathogenic mycobacteria. While PM/CW biogenesis is a proven drug target, the synthesis and functions of PM/CW components and the assembly of the PM/CW

Viruses reshape the intracellular environment during infection, both to hijack processes necessary for viral amplification and to subvert antiviral defenses. Because of size constraints and competition with their hosts for resources, they have developed ingenious ways to benefit from the host gene expression machinery. As such, viruses are excellent tool to understand cell biology. Herpesviruses are a particularly good example of such successful balance as herpesvirus infections are life-long and cannot be cleared by the host. We focus on the Gamma-herpesviruses and in particular, KSHV (Kaposi

Our research interests are focused on (I) the adaptation of microbial community structure and activity to external stress factors, and (II) the role microorganisms play in biogeochemical cycles.

Email: pbpearson@umass.edu

Email: lperreau@umass.edu

Ph.D.: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, 2005

I am interested in all aspects of zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases are those originating and/or being maintained in natural animal populations, but which occasionally spill over into human populations. The case might be made that all infectious diseases have their ultimate origin from zoonotic sources (since humans have only been around for a very short time), though many have left their animal hosts behind and now have an anthropophilic lifestyle. I seek to better understand how the agents of these diseases (microbes) have adapted to making their livelihood at the expense of their hosts

Our laboratory is interested in the processes of DNA replication, recombination and cell division in E. coli. In particular, we are interested in how these processes are coordinated. It has been recently shown that replication forks stop for a variety of mundane, housekeeping reasons as they replicate chromosomes. This happens both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. After stopping, these forks need to get repaired. This is thought to occur predominately by homologous recombination. Then after repair, these forks need to get up and running again. A special set of proteins call the Replication

Hey everyone! My name is Chris, I am a Junior majoring in biology and microbiology. On campus I am the Secretary of MedConnect, and I am a teaching assistant for a few biology courses. I am also researching how pre-existing stereotypes can influence clinical decision making in emergency medicine. In the future, I am planning to apply to medical school. Stop by during advising hours with any questions!

Email: davidsela@foodsci.umass.edu

Our research focuses on the cell wall of intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Listeria monocytogenes. The broad goals of our lab are (1) to determine the mechanisms by which these pathogens adapt their cell wall to the host environment and (2) to engineer the bacterial cell wall for basic and translational biomedical applications. To tackle these challenges, we draw from chemical biology, genetics, biochemistry and biophysics and develop new tools when appropriate.

Email: kstrickland@umass.edu

Office: 307 Morrill Science Center IVN

My research interests are to understand evolutionary, ecological, and biochemical significance of microbes to Earth and to exploit a wide spectrum of microbial ability for our life.

Ph.D.: Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1998

My research has focused on two parallel themes: (1) understanding chlamydial interaction with the infected host in an attempt to better characterize the diseases that this family of bacteria cause and (2) design and development of interventional and therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat chlamydial infections and associated sequelae.

Email: wells@umass.edu

Email: twoodard@umass.edu

Email: hangxiao@foodsci.umass.edu

Office: 209D Fernald