Research

Thanks for visiting my webpage!  Microbiology is a fascinating field filled with drama, intrigue, and mystery, all on a microscopic scale.  My goal is to figure out what makes microbes tick, so we can figure out how to keep from getting sick.

We study the signals that initiate bacterial biofilm formation on the host epithelium. During infection, many bacteria attach to host tissues and aggregate into specialized communities called biofilms. Biofilm formation helps the bacteria persist long term, often leading to chronic infections that are difficult to treat. By identifying the signals and molecules involved in initial biofilm formation, we can design novel treatments to stop the bacteria from reaching this stage.

Our laboratory mainly researches the Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes chronic biofilm infections in wounds and in the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), as well as other infections. We discovered that magnesium and magnesium transporters modulate biofilm and virulence activities, and we are currently assessing how these factors work together during infection. These studies are supported by a model system we developed to form P. aeruginosa biofilms on human CF-derived airway epithelial cells in vitro. Using this model, we are identifying factors that impact biofilm antibiotic resistance as well as bacterial virulence in the context of CF lung infection.

We also study biofilm formation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which can chronically colonize the lung and cause many other types of infections. This work has led to some intriguing insights into unique metabolic properties of this pathogen. The overall goal of our research is to better understand the nature of chronic infections so that new and better therapies can be developed. Toward that end, we are also testing novel compounds for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity.

Education

• BS:  Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
• PhD:  Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
• Post-Doctoral:  Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire

Publications & Professional Activity

See all publications on PubMed.

Awards

• 2021 Kathryn J. Wilson Award for Outstanding Leadership and Mentoring of Undergraduate Research, IUPUI
• 2019 Trustees Teaching Award, Indiana University
• 2016 National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences
• 2013 Trustees Teaching Award, Indiana University
• 2010 Young Investigator Award, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Bozeman, MT