Nosocomial infections are an emerging public health threat and frequently occur as a result of patient contact with bacteria persisting on hospital surfaces in a desiccated state. We are interested in discovering novel mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens sense and adapt to long-term desiccation stress, as well as the regulatory mechanisms involved in mediating the transition between environmental reservoirs and mammalian hosts, with a particular focus on the emerging multidrug resistant pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii. Additionally, we are interested in studying mechanisms by which A. baumannii controls turnover of its protein content in response to changing environmental conditions via regulated proteolysis by AAA+ family proteases.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Postdoctoral Fellow
2023
Tufts University
Boston, MA
Postdoctoral Fellow
2017
Tufts University
Boston, MA
Ph.D.
2016
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
B.S.
2009
Desiccation tolerance as a driver of environmental persistence and transmission in nosocomial bacterial pathogens.
Desiccation tolerance as a driver of environmental persistence and transmission in nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Infect Immun. 2026 Sep 08; 94(9):e0055725.
PMID: 42550049
The intestinal microbiota impacts nutritional immunity and resistance to Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia.
The intestinal microbiota impacts nutritional immunity and resistance to Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Apr 28; 123(17):e2534432123.
PMID: 42012958
Barriers and facilitators to lifestyle behavior change and goal setting in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Barriers and facilitators to lifestyle behavior change and goal setting in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome. Front Nutr. 2025; 12:1628853.
PMID: 41368182
Defined human tri-lineage brain microtissues.
Defined human tri-lineage brain microtissues. bioRxiv. 2025 Aug 07.
PMID: 40799568
The zinc metalloprotein MigC impacts cell wall biogenesis through interactions with an essential Mur ligase in Acinetobacter baumannii.
The zinc metalloprotein MigC impacts cell wall biogenesis through interactions with an essential Mur ligase in Acinetobacter baumannii. PLoS Pathog. 2025 06; 21(6):e1013209.
PMID: 40523033
The interplay between Acinetobacter baumannii ZigA and SltB promotes zinc homeostasis and cell envelope integrity.
The interplay between Acinetobacter baumannii ZigA and SltB promotes zinc homeostasis and cell envelope integrity. Infect Immun. 2025 02 18; 93(2):e0042224.
PMID: 39846731
Restriction of arginine induces antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus.
Restriction of arginine induces antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus. Nat Commun. 2024 08 07; 15(1):6734.
PMID: 39112491
Coordinated adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to calprotectin-dependent metal sequestration.
Coordinated adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to calprotectin-dependent metal sequestration. mBio. 2024 07 17; 15(7):e0138924.
PMID: 38920392
Restriction of Arginine Induces Antibiotic Tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus.
Restriction of Arginine Induces Antibiotic Tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus. bioRxiv. 2023 Oct 12.
PMID: 37873095
Hyperglycemia Increases Severity of Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis and Influences Bacterial Genes Required for Survival in Bone.
Hyperglycemia Increases Severity of Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis and Influences Bacterial Genes Required for Survival in Bone. Infect Immun. 2023 04 18; 91(4):e0052922.
PMID: 36877063