Brian Akerley, PhD

Brian Akerley, PhD

Associate Professor

Department:
SOM-Cell and Molecular Biology

Email:
bakerley@umc.edu

Work Phone:
(601) 815-1235

Education

Harvard Medical School, Postdoctoral Training, Postdoc1999
University of California, Los Angeles, PhD, Microbiology and Immunology1995
Bates College, BS, Biology1988

Current Positions

Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology11/2013 - Present
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments

Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Medical School, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology06/1999 - 07/2003
Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine07/2003 - 11/2013
Instructor, Harvard Medical School, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology1999 - 06/1999

Sponsored Program Funding

Extramural, A novel Th17-enhancing adjuvant and conserved antigen for protection against viral/bacterial co-infection, NIH NIAID04/2025 - 03/2027
Extramural, Targeted delivery of novel miRNA-based therapeutics for pneumonia-induced acute lung injury, NIH NIAID09/2023 - 08/2024
Extramural, The oxidation of heme-carrying proteins in the pathophysiology of pneumococcal disease, NIH/NIAID09/2023 - 08/2028
Extramural, Mechanisms underlying adhesion and colonization in pneumococcal keratitis, NIH NEI07/2023 - 06/2025
Extramural, Broadly protective multi-subunit vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae (SMART Business ACT award), State of Mississippi IHL03/2023 - 03/2025
Extramural, “Hemoglobin-induced virulence in Streptococcus pneumoniae”, NIH/NIAID03/2021 - 02/2024
Extramural, RO1 AI095740-01 (MPI: Akerley, Shen)
"Mechanisms of Haemophilus influenzae pathogenesis in the lung"
(Contact PI: Akerley), NIH/NIAID
02/2012 - 01/2018
Extramural, "Protein–protein interaction essential for bacterial growth and virulence" R21 (PI: Saper), Univ. of Michigan/NIH (NIAID)02/2012 - 01/2014
Extramural, R56 "Mechanisms of Haemophilus influenzae pathogenesis in the lung"(PI: Akerley), NIH/NIAID07/2011 - 02/2012
Extramural, "Global Regulatory Interactions in Bacterial Pathogenesis" R56 (PI: Akerley), NIH/NIAID09/2009 - 08/2010
Extramural, “Genome-scale genetic deletion system for virulent Y. pestis” (PI: Akerley), NERCE/NIH NIAID (Harvard U54 subaward)07/2005 - 06/2008
Extramural, "Signaling Responses by Haemophilus influenzae During Stages of Infection" Scientist Development Grant (PI: Akerley), American Heart Association07/2002 - 06/2006
Extramural, RO1 "Global Regulatory Interactions in Bacterial Pathogenesis" (PI:Akerley), NIH/NIAID06/2002 - 05/2008
Extramural, “Genetic Mechanisms of H. influenzae Pathogenesis in a Model of Respiratory Tract Infection” (PI: Akerley), Philip Morris Inc.06/2002 - 12/2006
Extramural, Adaptation to Anaerobiosis During H. influenzae Pathogenesis (NRSA R. Tyler), NIH NIDCD05/2002 - 04/2004
Extramural, Identification of Strain-Specific Virulence Factors in Haemophilus influenzae (N. Bergman, Postdoc fellowship), PhRMA01/2002 - 12/2002

Publications

Journal Article

Li, Y., Yang, Y., Chen, D., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Li, W., Chen, S., Wong, S.M., Shen, M., Akerley, B.J.*, Shen, H.*. Memory Th17 cell-mediated protection against lethal secondary pneumococcal pneumonia following influenza infection mBio. 2023 May 24:e0051923.
*co-corresponding author
2023
Wong, S.M., Gawronski, J., Akerley, B.J. Copper efflux system required in murine lung infection by Haemophilus influenzae composed of a canonical ATPase gene and tandem chaperone gene copies. Infect Immun. 2023 May 16;91(5):e00091232023
Zhang, X., Yang, Y., Chen, S., Li, W., Li, Y., Akerley, B.J., Shao, L., Zhang, W., Shen, H., Abt, M.C. Antigen-specific memory TH17 cells promote cross-protection against Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae following mild influenza A virus infection. Mucosal Immunol. 2023 Apr;16(2):153-166.2023
Vidal, J.E., Wier, M.N., A. Angulo-Zamudio, U., McDevitt, E., Jop Vidal, A.G., Alibayov, B., Scasny, A., Wong, S.M., Akerley, B.J., McDaniel, L.S. Prophylactic Inhibition of Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae with the Secondary Bile Acid Metabolite Deoxycholic Acid Infect Immun. 2021; 89(12):e0046321.2021
Jackson, M.D., Wong, S.M., Akerley, B.J. Sialic acid protects nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae from natural IgM and promotes survival in murine respiratory tract Infect Immun.2021; 89(6):e00676-20.2021
Benton AH, Jackson MD, Wong SM, Dees JL, Akerley BJ, Marquart ME A Transcriptional Activator of Ascorbic Acid Transport in Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Required for Optimal Growth in Endophthalmitis in a Strain-Dependent Manner Microorganisms. 2019 Aug 24;7(9). pii: E290. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms70902902019
Jackson MD, Wong SM, Akerley BJ Underlying glycans determine the ability of sialylated lipooligosaccharide to protect nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae from serum IgM and complement Infect Immun. 2019 Aug 12. pii: IAI.00456-19. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00456-192019
Wong SM, Jackson MD, Akerley BJ. Suppression of Alternative Lipooligosaccharide Glycosyltransferase Activity by UDP-Galactose Epimerase Enhances Murine Lung Infection and Evasion of Serum IgM Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019 May 15;9:160. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00160.2019
Li W, Zhang X, Yang Y, Yin Q, Wang Y, Li Y, Wang C, Wong SM, Wang Y, Goldfine H, Akerley BJ*, Shen H*. Recognition of conserved antigens by Th17 cells provides broad protection against pulmonary Haemophilus influenzae infection Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Jul 24;115(30):E7149-E7157.

(*co-corresponding authors)
2018
Wong SM, Shaughnessy J, Ram S, Akerley BJ. Defining the Binding Region in Factor H to Develop a Therapeutic Factor H-Fc Fusion Protein against Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2016 Apr 13;6:40.2016
Rosadini CV, Ram S, Akerley BJ Outer membrane protein P5 is required for
resistance of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae to both the classical and
alternative complement pathways
Infect Immun. 2014 Feb;82(2):640-9
2014
Wong SM, Bernui M, Shen H, Akerley BJ. Genome-wide fitness profiling reveals adaptations required by Haemophilus in coinfection with influenza A virus in the murine lung Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Sep 17;110(38):15413-8.

(recommended in F1000Prime)
2013
Griffin JE, Gawronski JD, Dejesus MA, Ioerger TR, Akerley BJ, Sassetti CM. High-resolution phenotypic profiling defines genes essential for mycobacterial growth and cholesterol catabolism. PLoS Pathog. 2011 Sep;7(9):e1002251.

(cited >1000 times. Recommended in F1000Prime)
2011
Rosadini CV, Gawronski JD, Raimunda D, Argüello JM, Akerley BJ. A novel zinc binding system, ZevAB, is critical for survival of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in a murine lung infection model. Infect Immun. 2011 Aug;79(8):3366-76.2011
Wong SM, St Michael F, Cox A, Ram S, Akerley BJ. ArcA-regulated glycosyltransferase lic2B promotes complement evasion and pathogenesis of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Infect Immun. 2011 May;79(5):1971-83.2011
Gawronski JD, Wong SM, Giannoukos G, Ward DV, Akerley BJ. Tracking insertion mutants within libraries by deep sequencing and a genome-wide screen for Haemophilus genes required in the lung Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Sep
22;106(38):16422-7.

(Cited >380 times and in 4 patents. Featured in Future Microbiology; 5(2):313-328 and in Nature 461:1177)
2009
Harrington JC, Wong SM, Rosadini CV, Garifulin O, Boyartchuk V, Akerley BJ. Resistance of Haemophilus influenzae to reactive nitrogen donors and gamma interferon-stimulated macrophages requires the formate-dependent nitrite reductase regulator-activated ytfE gene Infect Immun. 2009 May;77(5):1945-58.2009
Vijayalakshmi J, Akerley BJ, Saper MA Structure of YraM, a protein essential for growth of Haemophilus influenzae Proteins. 2008 Oct;73(1):204-17.2008
Rosadini CV, Wong SM, Akerley BJ The periplasmic disulfide oxidoreductase DsbA contributes to Haemophilus influenzae pathogenesis Infect Immun. 2008 Apr;76(4):1498-508.2008
Wong SM, Alugupalli KR, Ram S, Akerley BJ The ArcA regulon and oxidative stress resistance in Haemophilus influenzae Mol Microbiol. 2007 Jun;64(5):1375-902007
Wong SM, Akerley BJ. Environmental and genetic regulation of the phosphorylcholine epitope of Haemophilus influenzae lipooligosaccharide Mol Microbiol. 2005 Feb;55(3):724-382005
Raghunathan A, Price ND, Galperin MY, Makarova KS, Purvine S, Picone AF, Cherny T, Xie T, Reilly TJ, Munson R Jr, Tyler RE, Akerley BJ, Smith AL, Palsson BO, Kolker E. In Silico Metabolic Model and Protein Expression of Haemophilus influenzae Strain Rd KW20 in Rich Medium OMICS. 2004 Spring;8(1):25-412004
Wong SM, Akerley BJ Inducible expression system and marker-linked mutagenesis approach for functional genomics of Haemophilus influenzae Gene. 2003 Oct 16;316:177-86.

(handling editor: Allan M. Campbell)
2003
Bergman NH, Akerley BJ. Position-based scanning for comparative genomics and identification of genetic islands in Haemophilus influenzae type b Infect Immun. 2003 Mar;71(3):1098-1082003
Kolker E, Purvine S, Picone A, Cherny T, Akerley BJ, Munson RS Jr, Palsson BO, Daines DA, Smith AL H. influenzae Consortium: integrative study of H. influenzae-human interactions OMICS. 2002;6(4):341-82002
Akerley BJ, Rubin EJ, Novick VL, Amaya K, Judson N, Mekalanos JJ. A genome-scale analysis for identification of genes required for growth or survival of Haemophilus influenzae Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Jan 22;99(2):966-71.

(cited > 470 times)
2002
Georgellis D, Kwon O, Lin EC, Wong SM, Akerley BJ. Redox signal transduction by the ArcB sensor kinase of Haemophilus influenzae lacking the PAS domain J Bacteriol. 2001 Dec;183(24):7206-122001
Hendrixson DR, Akerley BJ, DiRita VJ. Transposon mutagenesis of Campylobacter jejuni identifies a bipartite energy taxis system required for motility Mol Microbiol. 2001 Apr;40(1):214-24
(cited >250 times)
2001
Lampe DJ, Akerley BJ, Rubin EJ, Mekalanos JJ, Robertson HM Hyperactive transposase mutants of the Himar1 mariner transposon Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Sep 28;96(20):11428-33.

(cited >320 times)
1999
Rubin EJ*, Akerley BJ*, Novik VN, Lampe DJ, Husson RN, Mekalanos JJ In vivo transposition of mariner-based elements in enteric bacteria and mycobacteria Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Feb 16; 96(4): 1645–1650

(*equal contributions; cited > 450 times)
1999
Cotter PA, Yuk MH, Mattoo S, Akerley BJ, Boschwitz J, Relman DA, Miller JF. Filamentous hemagglutinin of Bordetella bronchiseptica is required for efficient establishment of tracheal colonization Infect Immun. 1998 Dec;66(12):5921-91998
Akerley BJ, Rubin EJ, Camilli A, Lampe DJ, Robertson HM, Mekalanos JJ. Systematic identification of essential genes by in vitro mariner mutagenesis Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Jul 21;95(15):8927-32.

(cited >360 times and by 13 patents)
1998
Martinez de Tejada G1, Cotter PA, Heininger U, Camilli A, Akerley BJ, Mekalanos JJ, Miller JF. Neither the Bvg- phase nor the vrg6 locus of Bordetella pertussis is required for respiratory infection in mice Infect Immun. 1998 Jun;66(6):2762-81998
Giardina PC, Foster LA, Musser JM, Akerley BJ, Miller JF, Dyer DW Repression of alcaligin synthesis in Bordetella bronchiseptica is associated with
phylogenetic lineage.
J Bacteriol. 1995 Nov;177(21):6058-63
1995
Akerley BJ, Cotter PA, Miller JF Ectopic expression of the flagellar regulon alters development of the Bordetella-host interaction Cell. 1995 Feb 24;80(4):611-20.

(cited >330 times. featured in Current Biology 1995; July 1;5(7)706-9)
1995
Akerley BJ, Miller JF Flagellin gene transcription in Bordetella bronchiseptica is regulated by the BvgAS virulence control system J Bacteriol. 1993 Jun;175(11):3468-791993
Akerley BJ, Monack DM, Falkow S, Miller JF. The bvgAS locus negatively controls motility and synthesis of flagella in Bordetella bronchiseptica J Bacteriol. 1992 Feb;174(3):980-901992
Pollack S1, Ledbetter JA, Katz R, Williams K, Akerley B, Franklin K, Schieven G, Nel AE. Evidence for involvement of glycoprotein-CD45 phosphatase in reversing glycoprotein-CD3-induced microtubule-associated protein-2 kinase activity in Jurkat T-cells Biochem J. 1991 Jun 1;276 ( Pt 2):481-5.1991
Nel, A.E., Ledbetter, J. A, Williams, K., Ho, P., Akerley, B., Franklin, K., and R. Katz. Activation of MAP-2 Kinase Activity by the CD2 Receptor in Jurkat T Cells can be Reversed by CD45 Phosphatase. Immunology. 73:129-1331991
Nel AE, Pollack S, Landreth G, Ledbetter JA, Hultin L, Williams K, Katz R,Akerley B. CD-3-mediated activation of MAP-2 kinase can be modified by ligation of the CD4 receptor. Evidence for tyrosine phosphorylation during activation of this kinase. J. Immunol. 145: 971-979.1990

Review Article

Wong SM, Akerley BJ. Genome-scale approaches to identify genes essential for Haemophilus influenzae pathogenesis Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2012 Mar 5;2:23. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00023.2012
Akerley BJ, Miller JF Understanding signal transduction during bacterial infection Trends Microbiol. 1996 Apr;4(4):141-61996

Book Chapter

Wong, S.M.S. and B. J. Akerley. Coordinate Regulation of Stress and Virulence Adaptations in Stages of Haemophilus Pathogenesis In S. Kidd. (ed.) Stress Responses in Pathogenic Bacteria. CABI International. Advances in Molecular and Cellular Microbiology. 2011. Oxfordshire, UK.2011
Wong SM, Gawronski JD, Lapointe D, Akerley BJ High-throughput insertion
tracking by deep sequencing for the analysis of bacterial pathogens
Methods Mol Biol. 2011;733:209-22. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-089-8_15
2011
Wong SM, Akerley BJ Identification and analysis of essential genes in Haemophilus influenzae Methods Mol Biol. 2008;416:27-44. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-321-9_3.
(featured on cover)
2008
Akerley BJ, Lampe DJ Analysis of gene function in bacterial pathogens by GAMBIT Methods Enzymol. 2002;358:100-82002
Cotter, P. A., Akerley, B., and J. F. Miller BvgAS Dependent Phenotypic Modulation of Bordetella Species. In:R. Rappuoli, V. Scarlato, and B. Arico (eds) Signal Transduction and Bacterial Virulence Austin: R. G. Landes Co., 21-34.
(featured on cover)
1995

Editorial Commentary

Akerley BJ No-Go Zones for Mariner Transposition MBio. 2016 Oct 11;7(5). pii: e01690-16.2016
De Wulf P, Akerley BJ, Lin EC Presence of the Cpx system in bacteria Microbiology. 2000 Feb;146 ( Pt 2):247-82000

Presentations

Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Bacterial Immune Evasion in the Lungs of Healthy and Virally Infected Hosts: Mechanisms and Countermeasures, Dept. of Microbiol. & Immunol. & Parasitol. & Louisianna Vaccine Ctr., Louisiana State Univ.03/2024
Poster Presentation, Deletion of genes mediating LOS and outer-membrane biogenesis in Haemophilus influenzae confers sensitivity to clarithromycin in a resistant background., South Central Am. Soc. for Microbiology, Little Rock, AR11/2023
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Evasion of Antimicrobial Immune Responses by Haemophilus influenzae, Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology, UMMC06/2023
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Evasion of Antimicrobial Immune Responses by Haemophilus influenzae, Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology, Table 100, Flowood, MS01/2023
Poster Presentation, Uncovering immune targets of Haemophilus influenzae concealed by sialic acid., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.09/2019
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Development of immunotherapeutic factor H-Fc fusion proteins against Haemophilus influenzae, Mississippi IDeA Conference, Hilton Jackson in Jackson, MS08/2019
invention description presentation, Developing a vaccine against nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, Intellectual Property Committee, UMMC07/2019
Poster Presentation, Clarithromycin resistance genes in the Haemophilus influenzae core genome, South Central Branch Am. Society for Microbiology Conference, UMMC11/2018
Poster Presentation, Mechanisms of Sialic Acid in Complement Evasion by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, South Central Branch Am. Society for Microbiology Conference, UMMC11/2018
Poster Presentation, Suppression of alternative lipooligosaccharide glycosyltransferase activity by UDP-Galactose Epimerase enhances murine lung infection and evasion of serum antibody., South Central Branch Am. Society for Microbiology Conference, UMMC11/2018
Poster Presentation, Mechanisms of Sialic Acid in Complement Evasion by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae., School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences Research Day, UMC10/2018
Poster Presentation, Construction and Validation of a Transposon Insertion Library in a Pneumococcal Ocular Isolate, UMMC Rsearch Day, UMMC10/2017
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Breaking Codes and Countermeasures of Bacterial
Immune Evasion (U. Kentucky), Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
09/2016
Poster Presentation, Pneumococcal Genes Indicated for Fitness in the Vitreous Humor, American Soc. for Microbiology, Boston, MA06/2016
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, A fastidious bacterium’s guide to survival in healthy and virally infected lungs (SPS meeting), Southeastern Pneumococcal Symposium, Starkville, MS05/2016
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Defining genetic networks in bacterial pathogenesis by single-molecule transposon insertion sequencing
(UPenn), University of Pennsylvania, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, PA
11/2015
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Bacterial Pneumonia in an Influenza Coinfection Model: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Antimicrobial Targets Revealed by Single-Molecule Transposon Insertion Sequencing (UMMC, CMB), Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, UMMC, Jackson, MS04/2015
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Bacterial adaptations in lung colonization and viral co-infection revealed by genome-scale approaches (Texas A+M), Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis Annual Retreat, College of Medicine at the Texas A+M Health Science Center, College Station, TX04/2014
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Bacterial Adaptations in Lung Colonization and Viral Co-Infection Revealed by Genome-Scale Approaches (UAB), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL08/2013
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Behind every successful bacterium is a good virus:
H.influenzae partners with Flu in the pandemic business (HMS), Mekalanos Lab Anniversary Retreat, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
07/2012
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Boston Conference on Microbial Biology, Pathogenicity and Immunity. (HMS), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.2012
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Understanding pathogenesis of Hemophilus influenzae using genomic approaches (Dartmouth Medical School), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hanover, NH11/2011
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Molecular Pathogenesis of Haemophilus influenzae in the lung (Penn State, Huck Institute), Huck Institute of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA09/2010
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, "Genome-based approaches to understand bacterial pathogens and host defense", ASM 110th Annual Meeting, San Diego, ASM 110th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA05/2010
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Genome Sequence-Based Approaches to Bacterial Pathogenesis and Monitoring Transposon ‘HITS’ in Mutant Libraries During Infection (Tufts), Tufts University Medical School, Tufts University Medical School, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Boston, MA.10/2008
Poster Presentation, Genome Scale Deletion System for Yersinia pestis, Assumption College, Assumption College, Worcester, MA04/2008
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Factors in complement resistance of Haemophilus influenzae, Boston Univ. SOM, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA04/2008
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Haemophilus influenzae: a persistent scavenger that eludes surveillance and resists arrest by antibacterial immunity (Dartmouth), Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hanover, NH.01/2008
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, High-throughput genetic deletion system for Yersinia pestis, Fourth Annual Regional Centers for Excellence National Meeting, St. Louis, MO2007
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Boston Microbial Pathogenesis Seminar Series, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA01/2004
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Genomic Approaches to Understanding Haemophilus influenzae Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Seminar Series, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA09/2002
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Divisional Group Symposium, American Society for Microbiology 102cnd General Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT05/2002
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Bad Bug Club Seminar Series (MSU), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI05/2002
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Essential Gene Identification for Therapeutic Target Discovery (Pfizer International), Pfizer Inc., Ann Arbor, MI02/2002
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Haemophilus influenzae: A Model Organism for Functional Genomics of Bacterial Pathogens, University of Michigan Medical School, Nephrology Division Basic Science Seminar., Ann Arbor, MI05/2001
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Genome-scale Analysis of Genes Critical for Growth and Survival in Haemophilus influenzae, Institute for Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics, and Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, College Station, TX2001
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Functional Genomics for Understanding Haemophilus Biology and Pathogenesis, Institute for Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics and The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX2001
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, One Small Step in Global Analysis of Bacterial Gene Function, Seventh Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting. Children’s Research Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.10/2000
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Genes, Tissues, Bugs, and Bytes, Eight Annual MBC Biotechnology Symposium, Museum of Science, Boston, MA06/1999
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Circumnavigating a Bacterial Genome with a Eukaryotic Mariner (UMich), Microbiology and Immunology Departmental Seminar Series, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor04/1999
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Systematic Analysis of Essential Genes and Microbial Pathogenesis by in vitro mariner Mutagenesis (UPenn), Prokaryotic Seminar Series. University of Pennsylvania Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA05/1998
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, The BvgAS controlled motility regulon in Bordetella, 94th Annual American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, Los Vegas, NV05/1994
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, BvgAS Controls the Motility Regulon of Bordetella bronchiseptica, 93rd Annual American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia05/1993

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

US Patent #11,357,845: PROTEIN ANTIGENS FOR VACCINATING AGAINST NONTYPEABLE HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE, US Patent Office2022
Inventor Award, UMMC2019
Research Excellence Award (Gold), University of Mississippi Medical Center2016
Research Excellence Award (Silver), University of Mississippi Medical Center2015
Research Excellence Award (Bronze), University of Mississippi Medical Center2014
U.S. Patent# 7,838,502 B2. Compositions and Methods to Modulate H. influenzae pathogenesis., US Patent Office2010
U.S. patent #6,368,830. Hyperactive Mutants of Himar1 Transposase and Methods for Making Same, US Patent Office2002
American Heart Association Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association2002
U.S. Patent# 6,207,384. Systematic Identification of Essential Genes by in vitro Transposon Mutagenesis., US Patent Office2001
Dade Microscan Young Investigator Award, Am. Soc. for Microbiology2000
Biological Sciences Scholars Award, University of Michigan1999
Helen-Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship (declined), Helen-Hay Whitney Foundation1996
Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Postdoctoral Fellowship, Damon-Runyon Cancer Research Foundation1996
Microbial Pathogenesis Training Grant, NIH NIAID/UCLA1992
Tumor Immunology Training Grant, NIH/National Cancer Institute/UCLA1989
National Merit Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship1984

Professional Membership and Service

NIH NIAID, ad-hoc reviewer, LCMI study section2024
NIH NIAID, ad-hoc reviewer, LCMI study section2023
mBio, guest editor2019
Mississippi State University, ad hoc grant reviewer, CVM ORGS Internal Grants Program2017
NIH NIAID, ad hoc grant reviewer, NIH Lung Cellular, Molecular, and Immunobiology Study Section2017
Infection and Immunity, Editorial Board Member2017 - Present
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Associate Editor2015 - Present
NIH NIAID, ad hoc grant reviewer, NIH Host Interaction with Bacterial Pathogens (HIBP) study section2015
GENETICS, ad hoc reviewer2014 - Present
NIH NIAID, ad-hoc grant reviewer, LCMI study section2014
Journal of Bacteriology, Editorial Board Member2013 - 2022
PLoS Pathogens, Guest editor2011 - 2012
Institute for Drug Resistance, Member2009 - 2013
American Heart Association Grant Review Panel, Member, Microbiology Grant Review Panel2008 - 2009
NIH New England Regional Centers of Excellence Review Panel, ad hoc grant reviewer, NERCE Developmental Grant Review Panel2006
NIH Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences, ad hoc grant reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group2006
NIH NIGMS Consortium for Functional Glycomics, Member, Consortium for Functional Glycomics2006 - Present
NIH Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences, ad hoc grant reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group2005
NIH NIDCD, ad hoc grant reviewer, NIDCD special emphasis panel. "Otitis Media: New Approaches"2004
NIH NIDCD, ad hoc grant reviewer, NIDCD special emphasis panel. "Otitis Media: New Approaches."2003
NIH NIDCD, ad hoc grant reviewer, NIDCD special emphasis panel. "Hearing and Balance Feasibility Grants."2002
NIH NIDCD, ad hoc grant reviewer, NIDCD special emphasis panel. "Otitis Media: New Approaches."2002
BIATECH, Seattle, Washington, Member, Haemophilus influenzae Consortium2002 - 2006
Proc. National Academy of Sciences, ad hoc reviewer1999 - Present
GENE, Microbiology, BMC Genomics, Molecular Microbiology, ad hoc reviewer1999 - Present
Frontiers in Immunology, Nature Biotechnology, Gut Microbes, ad hoc reviewer1999 - Present
Cellular Microbiology, Antioxidants and Redox Signalling, ad hoc reviewer1999 - Present
American Society for Microbiology, Member1992 - Present

Committee Service

Intellectual Property Education Subcommittee, Chair2023 - Present
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES-GRADUATE COUNCIL, Member2023 - Present
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES-CURRICULUM, Member2023 - Present
Membership Committee, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, Member2023 - Present
Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Studies Committee, Chair2022 - Present
Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Admissions Committee, Chair2022 - Present
Intellectual Property Committee, Member2019 - Present
Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Recruitment committee, Member2018 - 2019
Microbiology and Immunology Seminar Committee, Member2017 - 2020
Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Studies Committee, Member2017 - 2022
Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Admissions Committee, Member2016 - 2022
Microbiology and Immunology Qualifying exam committees, Member2015 - Present
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) self-study panel, Site visit preparation2013 - 2013
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) self study group, faculty representative2012 - 2012
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Bacterial Pathogenesis Faculty Search Committee (UMass), Member2009 - 2011
Library and Learning Resources Committee (UMass), Member2005 - 2012
Extramural Seminar Series - UMass, Chair2004 - 2013
Bacterial Pathogenesis Faculty Search Committee (UMich), Member2002 - 2003
Microarray and Microchip Advisory Committee (UMich), Member2001 - 2002
Departmental Promotions and Awards Committee (UMich), Member2001 - 2002
Graduate admissions committee (UMich), Member2001 - 2002

Community Service

Annual Graduate Program Overview for Master's students, Invited Speaker11/2023 - 11/2024
Graduate Program Welcome Luncheon for SURE students, Introductory Speaker06/2023 - 06/2023
Annual Program Directors’ “Graduate School Showcase” for neighboring schools, Bacteriology faculty overview presentation09/2018 - 09/2019
NIH/SURE program, SURE preceptor05/2018 - 08/2018
NIH/SURE program, preceptor05/2012 - 08/2012

Other Service

NIH Lung Cellular, Molecular, and Immunobiology Study Section05/2024 - 06/2024
European Science Foundation06/2023 - 06/2023
NIH Lung Cellular, Molecular, and Immunobiology Study Section05/2023 - 06/2023
Convener, Convener, ASM South-Central Branch Annual Meeting Symposium entitled, “Pathogenesis and Host Response”.11/2018 - 11/2018
NIH Lung Cellular, Molecular, and Immunobiology Study Section, Reviewer, Grant Proposal05/2017 - 06/2017
Infection and Immunity, Editorial Review Board Member2017 - Present
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Associate Editor11/2015 - Present
NIH Host Interaction with Bacterial Pathogens (HIBP) study section10/2015 - 10/2015
NIH Host Interaction with Bacterial Pathogens (HIBP) study section, Reviewer, Grant Proposal02/2015 - 02/2015
GENETICS Journal, Ad Hoc Reviewer05/2014 - Present
Journal of Bacteriology2013 - 12/2019
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Editorial Review Board Member2010 - 11/2015

Teaching Experience

SOM 621, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Respiratory SystemFall 2024-2025
SOM 610, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Fundamentals of Biomedical ScienceFall 2024-2025
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2023-2024
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2023-2024
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2023-2024
DENT 641, Dentistry, Course, Lecturer, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2023-2024
DENT 641, Dentistry, Lab, Facilitator, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2023-2024
SOM 610, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Fundamentals of Biomedical ScienceFall 2023-2024
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals of MicrobiologySpring 2023-2024
MICRO 750, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Proposal in Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2023-2024
MICRO 750, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Proposal in Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2022-2023
MICRO 725, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Bacterial Structure and FunctionSpring 2022-2023
DENT 641, Dentistry, Course, Lecturer, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2022-2023
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2022-2023
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2022-2023
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2022-2023
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals in Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2022-2023
M611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2021-2022
DENT641, Dentistry, Course, Lecturer, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2021-2022
M611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2021-2022
M611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2021-2022
M741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals of MicrobiologySpring 2021-2022
M750, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Proposal in Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2021-2022
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2020-2021
DENT641, Dentistry, Course, Lecturer, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2020-2021
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2020-2021
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2020-2021
M725, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Bacterial Structure and FunctionSpring 2020-2021
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals of Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2020-2021
MICRO 703, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Seminar in Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2020-2021
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2019-2020
MICRO 703, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Seminar in Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2019-2020
MICRO 725, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Bacterial Structure and FunctionSpring 2019-2020
DENT641, Dentistry, Lecture, Lecturer, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2019-2020
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2019-2020
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2019-2020
DENT641, Dentistry, Lecture, Lecturer, Dental Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2019-2020
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals in MicrobiologySpring 2019-2020
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2018-2019
MICRO 703, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Seminar in MicrobiologySpring 2018-2019
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2018-2019
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2018-2019
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals in MicrobiologySpring 2018-2019
MICRO 703, Graduate, Course, Course Director, Seminar in Microbiology and ImmunologySpring 2017-2018
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2017-2018
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2017-2018
MICRO 725, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Bacterial Structure and FunctionSpring 2017-2018
ID 713, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Bioinformatics and GenomicsSpring 2017-2018
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2017-2018
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals of MicrobiologySpring 2017-2018
611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2016-2017
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2016-2017
611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2016-2017
611, Medicine, Course, Exam Proctor, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2016-2017
MICRO 741, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Graduate Fundamentals of MicrobiologySpring 2016-2017
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2015-2016
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lab, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2015-2016
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2015-2016
MICRO 725, Graduate, Course, Lecturer, Bacterial Structure and FunctionSpring 2015-2016
MICRO 611, Medicine, Course, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2014
MICRO 611, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2014
MICRO 611, Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyFall 2013

Directed Student Learning

Supervised Research, Advised: Azia McKenzie2024 - 2024
Research Advisor, Advised: Cameron Huhn2023 - Present
Dissertation Committee Member, Insights into Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Signaling in Channel Catfish
Advised: Kristianna Felch
2021 - 2024
Supervised Research, Advised: Anna Scasny2020 - 2020
Supervised Research, Advised: Christian Yu2020 - 2020
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Iftekhar Rafiqullah2020 - Present
Supervised Research, Advised: Kristianna Saelens2019 - 2019
Preceptor, Advised: Charles Davis2018 - 2018
Supervised Research, Advised: Jonathan Crider2017 - 2017
Dissertation Committee Member, Insights into the Dynamics of Memory, Effector, and Apoptotic Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Advised: David Spencer
2017 - 2018
Dissertation Committee Member, Virulence Determinants of Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae and the Consequences of Intra-Species Genetic Exchange
Advised: Haley Pipkins
2017 - 2018
Dissertation Committee Member, Mechanisms Enhancing Persistence and Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae: Impact on Mucosal Infections and Invasive Potential
Advised: Jessica Bradshaw
2017 - 2018
Dissertation Committee Member, Metabolic and Genetic Factors Impacting Intraocular Growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Advised: Angela Benton
2016 - 2019
Research Advisor, Sialic Acid-Mediated Mechanisms of Complement Evasion in Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Advised: Mary Darby Jackson
2016 - 2020
Supervised Research, Advised: Hasan Mohammad2014 - 2014
Supervised Research, Advised: David Spencer2014 - 2014
Supervised Research, Advised: Jessica Bradshaw2014 - 2014
Dissertation Committee Member, Advised: Srinjoy Chakraborty2012 - 2016
Preceptor, Advised: Sandra Smart2012 - 2012
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Srinjoy Chakraborti2012 - 2017
Master's Thesis Committee Member, Advised: Michelle Harris2012 - 2013
Preceptor, Advised: Juan Ramirez2011 - 2011
Dissertation Committee Member, Advised: D.E. Cameron2010 - 2010
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Bingling Xu2009 - 2012
Dissertation Committee Chair, Advised: Emily Mallick2009 - 2012
Dissertation Defense Committee Member, Advised: Francisca Cerda2008 - 2008
Directed Individual/Independent Study, Advised: Cindy Lai2008 - 2008
Preceptor, Advised: Christopher Doyle2007 - 2007
Research Advisor, Roles of Secreted Virulence Factors in Pathogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae
Advised: Charles Rosadini
2006 - 2011
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Vivian Banoit2005 - 2010
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Joshua Fisher2004 - 2007
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Kimberly Trimble2004 - 2005
Dissertation Committee Member, Advised: Yi-Lin Yang2004 - 2009
Dissertation Committee Member, Advised: Yi-Lin Yang2004 - 2004
Doctoral Advisory Committee Member, Advised: Brian Skehan2004 - 2006
Dissertation Committee Member, Advised: Robin Marty-Roix2004 - 2010
Dissertation Committee Chair, Advised: Nang Muang2004 - 2011
Research Advisor, Regulation of Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) Metabolism and Resistance Mechanisms in Haemophilus influenzae
Advised: Jane Harrington
2003 - 2008
Dissertation Defense Committee Member, Advised: Aaron Fiorved2003 - 2003
Dissertation Defense Committee Member, Advised: Rudi Fratti2003 - 2003
Dissertation Defense Committee Member, Advised: Lisa Tatterson2002 - 2002
Research Advisor, Advised: Ryan Tyler2001 - 2003

Fellows supervised

Microbiology and Immunology (UMMC), Post-Doc Advisor, 1 fellows supervised05/2017 - 02/2019
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (UMASS), Post-Doc Advisor, 1 fellows supervised08/2004 - 02/2012
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (UMASS), Post-Doc Advisor, 1 fellows supervised11/2003 - 01/2005
Microbiology and Immunology (UMICH), Post-Doc Advisor, 1 fellows supervised08/2001 - 09/2002