I am a microbiologist with particular interests and training in bacterial genetics and physiology.

Research at Luther

At Luther, research is performed not only to advance our understanding of the natural world but also to provide research training opportunities for undergraduate students.  Performing research and directing independent student research projects is a significant and rewarding part of my work at Luther.

My goal is to help students experience all aspects of the scientific process, including developing the skills to design, perform, and analyze experiments independently, writing grant proposals to obtain funding for their work, and presenting their work at regional and national meetings and in publication form.  I am an advocate of designing projects that allow individual ownership.

In any given semester or summer, I typically supervise 1-4 research students in my laboratory.  For a chronological list of former research projects and students, see Undergraduate Student Research Projects. Almost all of the students who have performed research with me have continued their education in either graduate school (e.g., programs in microbiology, public health, cell/molecular biology, philosophy/bioethics, and microbial engineering) or professional school (e.g., medical and dental school).

Current Research Interests

Investigating surface colonization by bacteria: I am interested in how bacteria colonize surfaces and use the marine bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus as a model system. V. parahaemolyticus actively colonizes and spreads over solid surfaces and forms tremendous biofilms. I am interested in the mechanisms this organism uses to attach to surfaces and develop into complex, surface-attached communities. In particular I am interested in the gene products that are involved in these processes and their regulation. Current work involves the use of genetic, molecular, and microscopy techniques.

Investigating the effect of calcium levels on bacterial physiology: Very little information is known about the role of calcium in bacteria. Observations of the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus suggest that calcium levels affect various aspects of bacterial physiology. I am interested in determining the bacterial processes that are affected by altered calcium levels and how bacteria sense and respond to changes in calcium concentration. Genetic and molecular approaches are being used to address these questions.