Contact Cynthia Hernandez, (319-335-7809)  to be added to the list or update your contact information. 

 

Microbiology Graduate Program Alumni List

 

Name

Degree

Year

Current or Last Known Position

Thesis
Caetano AntunesPhD2007Researcher (principal investigator) at the Oswaldo Cruz FoundationQuorum-sensing. Control of Gene Expression in Vibrio fischeri.
Jeremiah AthmerPhD2017R&D Scientist at Streck in the new product development – molecular group - StreckInsights Into NSP15 Protein and RNA Elements During Mouse Hepatitis Virus Infection
Mekhine BaccamPhD2001Senior Scientist/Toxicologist, Central Product Safety, Global Product Stewardship, The Procter and Gamble CompanyRegulation of CD40-mediated IL-6 production in B lymphocyte
Adam BallinMS2017Quality Control Microbiologist II at doTERRA InternationalRegulation of the Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Type III Secretion System by Cyclic-Di-GMP
Sarah Bahr2015  Characterization of risperidone-induced weight gain mediated by alterations of the gut microbiome and suppression of host energy expenditure
Abbey BerkebileMS2015Tutor Coordinator, Academic Succss Center, NC State University 
Matthew BinnckerPhD2004Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Director of Clinical Virology LaboratoryModulation of programmed cell death in human urethral epithelium following infection with Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Jennifer BoddickerPhD2003Writer and Freelance Science EditorSPI-1 invasion gene regulation in salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium : an in vitro and in vivo analysis
Tiffany Borbón, MDPhD2018Resident - University of WashingtonBacterial Coinfection during Murine Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Joel BozuePhD1995Principal Investigator at The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in the Bacteriology Division at Fort Detrick, MDIntracellular survival of Legionella pneumophila within acanthamoeba castellanii : studies on the role of inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion in virulence 
James W. BrackePhD1977VP of Oral Health at EPIEN Medical Inc.Studies on the obligately anaerobic intestinal bacteria of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.
Melinde BrindleyPhD2007Assistant Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Population Health, University of Georgia Mechanisms of entry and superinfection of equine infectious anemia viru
Rachel Brouillette (Bottjen)PhD2017Research Scientist III at Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) in Coralville, IAArenaviruses : mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization and an alternative route of entry
Evan BrutinelPhD2008Senior Microbiologist, 3M Corporate Research Materials LaboratoryDNA binding properties and domain function of ExsA , the central transcriptional regulator of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system
Blake BuchanPhD2009Assistant Professor, Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Associate Director, Clinical Microbiology, Dynacare LaboratoryExamining the regulation of virulence factors in Francisella tularensis
Jodie Bunzey (Scott)PhD2011Supervisor, Quality Labs, Quality Control Microbiology, Pfizer, Inc
Che6 chemosensory regulation of multicellularity in Myxococcus xanthus
Ryan CallhanMS  Using Proteomics to Study the Listeria monocytogenes Secretome
John CambierPhD1975Distinguished Professor, Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine
The secretory immune system of the rat
Carl CatrenichPhD1989Principal Scientist, Microbiology Capability Group, The Procter & Gamble CompanyIdentification of phenotypic differences associated with the virulence conversion of Legionella pneumophila
Allison ChristiaansenPhD2016EMD Serono, ScientistT cell regulation of acute and chronic viral infection
Ashley CooneyPhD2018Postdoc in Patrick Sinn’s lab in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of IowaIntegrating viral vectors as a gene therapy approach for cystic fibrosis
Jodi CorleyPhD2022Post Doctoral Scholar, ColoradoPost-transcriptional Control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Genes by Global Regulatory Networks
Manisha DiazPhD2014Research Scientist, Vircor-IBT Laboratories
Regulation of virulence gene expression by Rsm homologs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Jayna DittyPhD1999Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MNPcaK : a Pseudomonas putida membrane-bound permease involved in chemotaxis to 4-hydroxybenzoate /
Katherine Doll (Keane)PhD2016 CD8 cell dependent and independent immunity against Plasmodium following vaccination.
Jennifer EdwardsPhD2002Associate Professor, The Ohio State University and Principal Investigator, The Center for Microbial Pathogenesis The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's HospitalComplement opsonization and direct adherence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to complement receptor type 3 mediate cervical cell invasion
Coline ExlinePhD2009Lung Biotechnology/United Therapeutics, Scientist IIThe positive regulation of HIV-1 vif mRNA splicing is required for efficient virus replication
Tom FahlenPhD2000
Associate Research Director, Microbiology, Cleaning Division at The Clorox Company
San Jose, CA                                                                                                                                                                       
Invasion gene regulation in Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium : identification of negative regulatory elements of hilA 
Jon Femling, MDPhD2007Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of New Mexico.Collaboration of human neutrophils and group IIA phospholipase A2 against Staphylococcus aureus 
Rosana FerreieraPhD2007Assistant Professor, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroRegulation of swarming and capsular polysaccharide gene expression In Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Ana Forsythe (Castro)MS2017Genetic Counseling Program, School of Health and Human SciencesThe role of the anti-σ factor RsiV in stress response in Clostridium difficile and Bacillus subtilis
Cindy GodePhD2009Senior Manager, Medical Writing at Ascendis PharmaVibrio parahaemolyticus responds to growth on a surface by initiating a program of gene control that is regulated by calcium, iron, and quorum sensing
Duane GrandegenettPhD1970Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology studying HIV at Saint Louis University. Diaminopimelic acid metabolism in sporulating bacteria
Matthew Grunewald, MDPhD2019Resident, Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisThe role of ADP-ribosylation during coronavirus infection
Sylvia FaurotMS2021 Splenic Hypoxia During Early-Stage Plasmodium Infection Promotes Extrafollicular Plasmablast Differentiation
Brian HanzelkaPhD1999Senior Research Scientist, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Quorum sensing in Vibrio fischeri : studies of the function and synthesis of acyl-homoserine lactones
Jodie HaringPhD2002Biological Safety Officer, North Dakota State UniversityRole of antigen-specific and bystander T Cells in virus induced demyelination 
Jessica HastiePhD2015 The Activation and Response of Bacillus subtilis ECF σ Factor σV to Lysozyme
Andrew HawkinsPhD2003Director of Quantitative Physiology and Fermentation, NARA Gevo, Englewood, ColoradoChemotaxis and signal transduction in two proteobacteria : Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Ralstonia Eutropha
Alfa HerreraPhD2016Post-doctorate in the laboratory of Dr. Karla Satchell at Northwestern UniversityStaphylococcus aureus TSST-1 and Beta-toxin contribute to infective endocarditis via multiple mechanisms
Kayley JanssenPhD2017Postdoctoral associate at the University of Wisconsin in the Landick LabPost-transcriptional regulation of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Haiyan JiangPhD1998Principal Scientist, Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Janssen R&D, Johnson & JohnsonCharacterization of the oxygenase component of toluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida F1
Jeremiah JohnsonPhD2011Scientist in the lab of Dr. Jeremiah Johnson is at the University of Tennessee. Properties of HIV-1 Env and Human Seminal Fluid that Determine Virus Inhibition by Antibodies and Microbicides
Gabriela KausPhD 2021Postdoc, Weiss lab, University of IowaLysozyme Resistance in Clostridioides difficile
Katherine Keane (Doll)PhD2016Regulatory and Quality Specialist, RCRI, Inc., Minneapolis, MN CD8 cell dependent and independent immunity against Plasmodium following vaccination.
Patrick KellyPhD2017Postdoctoral Scholar at Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MDReciprocal Interactions between Leishmania and Their Microenvironments During Infection in the Sand Fly Gut and Human Macrophages
Jacklyn Killpack (Johnson)PhD2019UnreportedProperties of HIV-1 Env and Human Seminal Fluid that Determine Virus Inhibition by Antibodies and Microbicides
Lauren KinkeadPhD2017Adjunct instructor at Des Moines Area Community CollegeMechanisms of human neutrophil apoptosis inhibition by Francisella
Jessica KingPhD2013Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, University of IowaDefining the interaction of EsxA and LcrF with Type III secretion system gene promoters
Kyle KinneyPhD2020 Unweaving the Role of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C in the Pathogenesis of Infective Endocarditis
Ellen KiserPhD2021 A “Meta” Analysis: The Proper Usage of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics in Infectious Disease Research
Andrew KondratowiczPhD2011Scientist I, Medical Countermeasures, Tekmira PharmaceuticalsA bioinformatics approach to identifying novel genes involved in Ebolavirus entry
Ryan KustuschPhD2009Visiting Assistant Professor at University of Portland, in Portland, ORStudies of swarmer cell differentiation in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Nathan LedeboerPhD2005Associate Professor of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Medical Director, Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Froedtert Hospital and Dynacare LaboratoriesLymphokine regulation of virgin and memory B cell differentiation
Nick LennemannPhD Postdoctoral fellow in Carolyn Coyne's lab in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Biochemical characterization of ebola virus GP
Daniel LessnerPhD2003Professor and Department Vice Chair, Department of Biological Sciences, University of ArkansasMolecular characterization of rieske non-heme iron dioxygenases involved in nitroarene and napthalene degradation
Faith Hilary LessnerPhD2005Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of ArkansasPeripheral pathways of anaerobic benzoate degradation in Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Stephen LindemannPhD2010Assistant Professor, Departments of Food Science and Nutrition Science, Purdue UniversityExploring the genetic basis of intracellular pathogenesis in Francisella tularensi
Jessica ListerMS2016Research Scientist II at IDT in the Molecular Genetics DivisionIdentification and Characterization of Edna-binding Proteins in the Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Matrix
Shiloh Lueschow-GuijosaPhD2022Postdoctural Research Scholar, University of IowaPrevention and Treatment of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Sepsis Using Antimicrobial Peptides and Probiotics
Martina MaricPhD2012Research Fellow, Institute of Molecular Biology, A*Star, SingaporeHerpes simplex virus;  Nuclear membranes;  HSV-1 Nuclear egress TorsinA Yeast two-hybrid
Anthony MartiniPhD2020 Characterizing the Contribution of Type IV Pili and Other Novel Virulence Factors in S. sanguinis Native Valve Infective Endocarditis
Masoudeh Masoud Bahnamiri PhD2022 The Role of Viral Protein Kinases in Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1
Jenna McCracken, MD (Parks)PhD2017ResidentMechanisms and consequences of neutrophil apoptosis inhibition by Francisella tularensis
Joseph MerrimanPhD2015Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at Washington University in St. Louis in Dr. Michael Caparon's labSecreted Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors and their role in chronic wound development and persistence
Theresa MillerPhD2000Principal Scientist-General Dynamics Information Technology, Science Officer-Prostate Cancer Resaerch Program, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, US Army Medical Research Materiel CommandGenetic and structural analysis of lipooligosaccharide synthesis genes (lsg's) in Haemophilus influenzae
Edward MocarskiPhD1979Robert W. Woodruff Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University 
Sven Moller-TankPhD2014PostDoc in the lab of Aravind Asokan at the University of North CarolinaThe role of TIM-1 in enveloped virus entry
Maria MorabePhD2019 The Roles of Nutrient Stress in Promoting Surface Colonization by Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Bridget MoriczPhD2021 Adhesins of S. sanguinis that promote infective endocarditis through interactions with platelets 
Caitlin MurphyPhD2014Clinical Microbiology Fellow and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  
Kelsie NautaPhD2021 The Dissection of Β-Lactam Resistance in Bacillus Anthracis, Bacillus Cereus, and Bacillus Thuringiensis
Brock NeilPhD2009Vice President of Infectious Disease Operations at American Esoteric Laboratories in Memphis, TN 
Nancy NicholsPhD Research microbiologist at the US Dept of Agriculture 
Julie OlsonPhD1998Associate Professor, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MNEndocytosis and trafficking of varicella-zoster virus fc receptor glycoproteins ge and gi
Matt OlsonPhD2008Senior post-doctoral fellow at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI)Regulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine-enhanced pulmonary eosinophilia
Alexandra PaharikPhD2016 Novel roles of staphylococcal proteases and cross talk in biofilm formation and virulence
Anthony PannulloPhD2023 Antimicrobial Sensing and Resistance in Clostridioides difficile
Dale PelletierPhD2000Research scientist in the Bioscience Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory 
     
Allan PrichardPhD20 Effects of Helicobacter pylori Induced Neutrophil Subtype Differentiation on Chemotaxis and Phagosome Maturation
Jed RasmussenPhD2014Snow College, Assistant Professor of Biological SciencesIdentification and characterization of capsule and or O-antigen mutants of Francisella tularensis SCHU S4
Eric RansomPhD2015 Clostridium difficile: Shedding Light on Pathogenesis
Federico ReyPhD2006Assistant Professor, Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonHydrogen production by Rhodopseudomonas palustris : a functional genomic approach
Nilda RodríguezPhD2004Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Northern Iowa Early interactions between Leishmania Chagasi and the macrophage : phagocytosis and gene expression 
Kai RogersPhD2019Resident, University of IowaThe role of macrophages in Ebola virus infection
Sarah Skye (Bahr)PhD2015Postdoctoral fellow in Stan Hazen’s lab in the department of cellular and molecular medicine at the Lerner Research Institute - Cleveland Clinic.Characterization of risperidone-induced weight gain mediated by alterations of the gut microbiome and suppression of host energy expenditure
Amy SchaeferPhD2002Senior Research Scientist, University of Washington, SeattleAcyl homoserine lactone signals in gram-negative bacteria
Patrick SchlievertPhD1976Emeritus Professor, Chair and Department Executive Officer, Department of Microbiology, University of IowaIsolation and characterization of a low molecular weight antibacterial system from human amniotic fluid
Grant Schulert, MDPhD2009Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Cincinnati children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.  
Randy SimpsonPhD2005Process Engineer - Bioprocess Development, Triton Algae Innovations, San Diego, CaliforniaDevelopment of a large scale coenzyme F₄₂₀ production process and molecular tools for investigation of related gene systems in Rhodococcus and Mycobacterium 
Adam SpauldingPhD2013Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Rita Tamayo's lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at University of North Carolina Chapel HillSecreted virulence factors in lethal illness due to Staphylococcus aureus
Juliette TinkerPhD2000Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences at Boise State UniversityRegulation of type 1 fimbrial production in Salmonella typhimurium : the characterization and genetic analysis of fimY, fimU and fimW
Matthew ThoendelPhD2011Faculty in the division of Infectious Diseases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MNAutoinducing peptide synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus
Phuong TranPhD2021 Mechanistic Insights into Staphylococcus aureus β-Toxin and Superantigen Involvement in Angiogenesis and Its Contribution to Infective Endocarditi
Nori UenoPhD2011Technical Sales Specialist, Antibody and Immunoassay Systems (Invitrogen / eBioscience)Host and parasite determinants of Leishmania survival following phagocytosis by macrophages
Christopher VakulskasPhD2010Integrated DNA Technologies  - Senior Staff ScientistThe mechanism of transcriptional activation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExsA.
Jennifer WalkerPhD2013Postdoctoral Research Associate, Washington University School of Medicine in St LouisThe two-component system, ArlRS, regulates agglutination and pathogenesis in Staphylococcus Aureus
Jennifer WelchPhD2018Postdoctoral fellow in Jack Stapleton’s lab in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of IowaSemen exosomes: Intrinsic inhibitors of HIV-1 infection
Shaowen WhitePhD2022 Herpes Simplex Virus Cytoplasmic Assembly Center as a Tool for Viral Egress Research and Therapeutic Development
Jonathan WillettPhD2012Postdoctoral Fellow-Crosson Lab, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of ChicagoBacterial two-component systems share a common mechanism for signaling and specificity.
     
Janet WilsonPhD2009Senior Microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Division of Select Agents and ToxinsAnalysis of the Che7 chemosensory system in Myxococcus xanthus
Laurel WoodsMS2022 Mapping Microbial Communities During Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infection
Amber Vu (Ford)PhD2018 Mechanisms of nuclear lamina disruption and regulation of nuclear budding of HSV-1
Bao VuPhD2014 Proposed mechanisms underlining the potential effects of staphylococcal superantigens on the development of type two diabetes
Lian-Fai YeePhD2007Medical Technologist at Carle Foundation Hospital  
Michael ZhangPhD2017ResidentCharacterizing how Glycerol Monolaurate (GML) affects human T cell signaling and function
Yifeng ZhangPhD2023 The ISG15 antimicrobial chronicle: a fable narrated by Listeria monocytogenes
Haixia ZhouPhD Novavax Scientist II  - Haixia studies the immune response to vaccine candidates, mainly focused on RSV and Flu.