Studying the distribution, diversity, and genetics of prophages in zebrafish gut microbiota.Investigating the effects of prophages on bacterial physiology and metabolism and their role in shaping the zebrafish gut microbiome.

Investigated the relationships between genome streamlining, nutrient limitation, and growth rates in aquatic bacteria within the Pelagibacterales (SAR11). Identified and quantifyied nutrient storage granules in Pelagibacterales strains using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.

Studied genetic regulation in the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri using next-generation short-read RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR. Investigated physiological changes, including in motility, chemotaxis, exopolysaccharide production, and bioluminescence, occurring in V. fischeri due to quorum sensing and genetic regulation using phenotypic and genetic assays.

I studied the the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis, which has the ability to reduce extracellular metals and thus has exciting potential applications in biotechnology. My current focus was on how Shewanella combats Fe(II) toxicity during iron respiration. We discovered ferrous iron import and export proteins that appear to regulate intracellular iron concentrations. We also identified a protease that appears to be important for ferrous iron stress response and identified its protease targets during iron stress. - Utilized both random transposon screens combined with short-read DNA sequencing and targeted genetic modification to identify bacterial genes important for growth and survival under particular conditions.- Characterized the function and specificity of bacterial proteins involved in metal interaction and metal stress response. - Communicated research findings to the scientific community and the general public via publications, oral presentations, and social media. - Mentored undergraduate students in directed research.

Designed genetic engineering solutions and constructed variable-expression plasmids for the optimization of enzyme production and minimization of cell toxicity in order to shunt bacterial metabolism towards maximum production of a desired metabolite.

Led an evaluation study, including oversight of two technicians, of a DNA extraction instrument, resulting in first-authorship of a poster presented at the 2009 Clinical Virology Symposium.Developed and led validation of an assay for detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in respiratory specimens by real-time PCR.Performed PCR-based microorganism identification for two large industry-commissioned studies.Completed a course in biosecurity and biosafety, and reported to the CDC potential agents of bioterrorism that were isolated from clinical samples.Coordinated with a team of technologists, managers, and fiscal specialists to perform a department-wide test-cost analysis and efficiency project.Identified medically important bacteria and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.Correlated laboratory results with clinical information and patient history.

Set up bacterial identification and antibiotic sensitivities using the Vitek2 and Kirby-Bauer method.Logged in and processed patient specimens for culture and other laboratory tests.Stocked isolated organisms for future use.