Recent Summer Research Projects

2022

Identifying the Endonuclease Responsible for the Cleavage of Pre-tRNA During Gammaherpesvirus Infection

Examination of Listeria monocytogenes protein P60 for deubiquitination activity

Atypical B-cells and their mysterious roles in Plasmodium infections

Role of CIC in the Regulation of the Antiviral Gene Promoter TRIM22

Utilizing Reverse Genetics to Understand the Functions of Mouse Hepatitis Virus I gene

Interactions between ICP22 and heterodimer proteins UL31 and UL34

Identification of Genes Controlled by CDR1313 and their Role in Lysozyme Resistance in C. difficile

Investigation of Daughter Cell Separation in E. coli

2023

Unveiling the differential Impact of MHV-JHM & MHV-A59 on Virulence and Innate Immune Antagonism

Characterizing PilZ Domain Protein Interactions with Type IV Pili Effectors in Biased Twitching Motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

TRAF3 Regulation of Type I Interferon Signaling in B Cells

The effects of angiogenin overexpression on transfer RNA fragments and the reactivation of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

Identification of Putative Divisome Proteins in Clostridioides difficile

Investigating the Role of Lmo2839: A Potential Virulence Factor in Listeria monocytogenes during Animal Infection

Cross-feeding in the gut microbiome: how bacterial contact regulates polysaccharide usage

Clostridioides difficile: identification of conserved and novel cell division proteins in an important pathogen

In vitro characterization of the Chlamydia trachomatis effector protein TmeA and its interactions with host proteins N-WASP and Toca-1

Determining the Essential Nature of Hfq in Acinetobacter baumannii

2024

Using CRISPRi to study essential DNA repair genes in Bacteroides spp. 

Chlamydia trachomatis interacts with host cell centrosomes using type III secretion system effectors

The Impact of RNA Polymerase III Transcription on MHV68 Spread

Evaluating the importance of Cathepsin L during Filovirus Glycoprotein mediated entry

Exploring the role of sRNAs in modulating CsrA activity in Acinetobacter baumannii

Elucidating functions of ICP22 in HSV-1 by analysis of point mutant phenotypes

Investigating The Contribution of a Unique Immune Cell Population in Inhibiting Malaria

Identifying Influenza Virus Mutations Required for Diverse Host Glycan Receptor Utilization

Localization of Essential Proteins Potentially Involved in Cell Division in Clostridioides difficile

Profiling the Immune Antagonistic Properties of MERS-CoV ORF5 Protein

2025

Regulatory mechanisms that control superoxide dismutase expression in Staphylococcus aureus; 

Investigating CsrA Regulation of Candidate RNA Targets in Acinetobacter baumannii; 

Investigating the Dual Immunomodulatory and Antimicrobial Effect of Glycerol Monolaurate on Human Neutrophils and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Generation of a HEK293T cell line that stably expresses Ebola Virus-Like Particles; 

Houston, we have too many centrosomes: An investigation into how Chlamydia trachomatis serovars cause centrosome amplification; 

Deep Mutational Scanning of the Hiv-1 Envelope Protein; 

The Interaction of a Sirtuin-Like Protein (SliP) and the Histone Complex in Campylobacter jejuni

LOX-1 Engagement by oxLDL Modulates Alveolar Macrophage Response During Pneumonia Infection; 

Role of HSV-1 Microtubule-Stabilizing Viral Protein in Nocodazole Resistance; 

The Effect of m6A Modifications of HIV RNA on Viral Replication.