Research/Areas of Interest
My research focuses on identifying the mechanistic triggers and regulators of sporulation in the pathogen Clostridioides difficile. Under unfavorable conditions, C. difficile develops a hardy, non-growing endospore that is capable of withstanding extreme stressors such as heat and treatment with antibiotics. When growth conditions become favorable, C. difficile germinates, emerging again as an active cell that can both grow and divide. By studying the cues and layers of regulation surrounding sporulation, we will continue to progress our understanding of how C. difficile can persist in humans, leading to the development of future therapeutics.
Education
- BS, Biological Sciences, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
- PhD, Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, MO