Microbiology
Be a part of groundbreaking microbiology research.
Distinguished Faculty Shaping Microbiology Research
Departmental research in the area of microbiology focuses on different aspects of microorganisms, from how bacterial cells develop, how microorganisms communicate, how their interactions evolve, and how communities of microorganisms change depending on the environment or host organism.
Faculty Members Who Specialize in Microbiology Research | ||
|---|---|---|
| Faculty Member | Ph.D. Degree | Research Interests |
| Patrick Curtis | University of Georgia | bacterial signaling pathways and prokaryotic development |
| Wayne Gray | University of South Alabama | virology, vaccine development |
| Erik Hom | University of California-San Francisco | synthetic ecology, fungal-algal interactions, evolution of symbiosis and microbial consortia, waste valorization |
| Colin Jackson | The University of Alabama | microbial ecology and diversity, microbiome studies |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | microbial ecology of sustainable agriculture for Earth, Moon, Mars; sustainable systems, and role of quorum sensing in microbial interactions. | |
Meet the Faculty
Patrick Curtis
- Associate Professor of Biology (Microbial Physiology)
Wayne Gray
- Instructional Associate Professor of Biology
Erik Hom
- Associate Professor of Biology
Colin Jackson
- Professor of Biology
Becks Prescott
- Assistant Professor of Biology
Research and Grants
Ecosystem Management, Conservation, and Restoration
Dr. Erik Hom’s current research is supported by a grant from NASA entitled “Elucidating the Molecular Basis for Anhydrobiosis Using Biological Soil Crusts as a Model.” By delving into the molecular basis of anhydrobiosis and the adaptive traits of microbes within BSCs and their interactions, his research will shed light on mechanisms that could enhance ecosystem management, conservation, and restoration of arid habitats facing threats from climate change and human activities.
Honors Researchers Examine Phyllosphere Microorganisms
Elizabeth Eckard, Venkat Kota, and Kurre Luber, a group of undergraduate honors researchers, worked with Dr. Jackson to study on phyllosphere, aerial plant surfaces colonized by microorganisms, and characterize the bacterial community on the leaves of magnolia trees throughout town. Unlike other studies, there was no significant relationship between phyllosphere community similarity and distance between trees. However, taller trees showed more diverse bacterial communities in the phyllosphere. Overall, their study provides insight into the relationship between phyllosphere community composition and tree characteristics.