The EI Biofoundry is a resource for the biology and biotechnology communities, providing a platform to undertake large-scale projects. With different laboratory automation platforms, together with expertise in large-scale experimentation and synthetic biology, can develop and apply numerous molecular and microbiological workflows. As Manager of the EI Biofoundry, I was responsible for the facility's maintenance, administration and operation, providing scientific support to users from academia and private sector.

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At Dr. Galen's Lab my research is focused on development of attenuated Salmonella enterica serovars as live vector vaccine strains. These efforts involve both chromosomal mutagenesis techniques, as well as the engineering of plasmid to express protective antigens of interest for vaccination of humans. My efforts are directed to create vaccines for Yersinia pestis and Clostridium difficile.

At Patrik Bavoil's Lab I was studying the Chlamydia trachomatis pmp gene family. These genes were revealed by Genome sequencing. Our studies of pmp expression in in vitro-grown Chlamydia trachomatis have revealed variable expression of the surface-exposed Pmps in a mechanism similar to phase variable phenotypes observed in many bacterial pathogens. The analysis of specific antibody in male, female and chronically infected patients with genital infection has revealed differential responses to a subset of Pmps. These and other observations are globally consistent with a proposed role for the Pmp family in antigenic variation and suggest that these proteins are important determinants of pathogenicity as well as potential vaccine components.