Recent Graduates | Microbiology | SIU

Field:
Small RNA analysis

Degrees:
BS, 2012, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University

Advisor:
Kelly Bender

Dissertation:

Characterization and Study of the Physiological Role of CTL0511, A Chlamydial Protein Phosphatase type 2C

Degrees:
Ph.D, 2018, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
BS, 2012, Neurobiology & Physiology, Purdue University

Advisor:
Derek Fisher

Publications:

• Claywell, J.E., Matschke, L.M., Plunkett, K.N., and Fisher, D.J. (2018) Inhibition of the Protein Phosphatase CppA Alters Development of Chlamydia trachomatis. Journal of Bacteriology. DOI: 10.1128/JB.00419-18. Link
• Claywell, J.E., Matschke, L.M., and Fisher, D.J. (2016) The impact of protein phosphorylation on chlamydial physiology. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 6:197. Link
• Claywell, J.E. and Fisher, D.J. (2016) CTL0511 from Chlamydia trachomatis is a Type 2C Protein Phosphatase (PP2C) with Broad-Substrate Specificity. Journal of Bacteriology. PMID: 27114464 PubMed Link

Thesis:
Characterization and Geochemistry of Novel Bacterium, Gen. Nov., Sp. nov., Anaeropaleothermus hephaestussseraphensis Strain SIUC3, Isolated 3.2 km Underground from the Driefontein Goldmine, South Africa.

Degrees:
MS, 2019, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
BS, 2016, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Advisor:
Scott Hamilton-Brehm

Thesis:
Characterizatyion of the Desulfovibrio vulgaris hidelnborough small RNA SIC2

Degrees:
MS, 2018, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
BS, 2016, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Advisor:
Kelly Bender

Field:
Beneficial Host-Microbe Interactions

Degrees:
MS, 2014, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
BS, 2009, Molecular Biology, Kuwait University

Advisor:
Vjollca Konjufca

Thesis:
Symbiont Regulated Host DNA Methylation in Euprymna scolopes - Vibrio fischeri Symbiosis

Degrees:
MS, 2018, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University
BS, 2015, University of Oregon, OR

Advisor:
Bethany Rader

Thesis:
Characterization of the Chlamydial Partner Switching Mechanism Using in vitro, and in silico Approaches

Degrees:
MS, 2018, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University
BS, 2012, Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University of Louisiana

Advisor:
Derek Fisher

Field:
Beneficial Host-Microbe Interactions

Advisor:
Bethany Rader

Publications:

• Abrams JS, Howe SE, Becerra N, Kohli P, Konjufca V. 2016. Immunogenicity of Antigen-Conjugated Biodegradable Polydiacetylene Liposomes Administered Mucosally. Biomed Mater Res A. Oct 17. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.35938. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed link
• Howe SE, Sowa G, Konjufca V. 2016. Systemic and Mucosal Antibody Responses to Soluble and Nanoparticle-Conjugated Antigens Administered Intranasally. Antibodies, 5(4), 20; doi:10.3390/antib5040020. Link
• Howe, S.E. and Konjufca, V.H. 2015. Per-Oral Immunization with Antigen -Conjugated Nanoparticles followed by Sub-Cutaneous Boosting Immunization Induces Long-Lasting Mucosal and Systemic Antibody Responses in Mice. PLoS ONE 10(2):e0118067. doi: 10.1371/journal .pone.0118067. Link
• Howe, S.E. and Konjufca, V.H. 2014. Protein-coated nanoparticles are internalized by the epithelial cells of the female reproductive tract and induce systemic and mucosal immune responses. PLoS ONE 9(12): e114601. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114601. Link
• Howe, S.E., Lickteig, D.J., Plunkett, K.N., Ryerse, J.S. and Konjufca, V. 2014. The uptake of soluble and particulate antigens by epithelial cells in the mouse small intestine. PLoS ONE 9(1): e86656. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086656. Link
• Howe, S.E., Shillova N, Konjufca V. 2019 Dissemination of Chlamydia from the reproductive tract to the gastro-intestinal tract occurs in stages and relies on Chlamydia transport by host cells. PLoS Pathog 15(12): e1008207. Link

Thesis:
The Uptake of Particulate Antigens by Epithelial Cells in the Bursa Of Fabricius and the Generation of Humoral Immune Responses

Degrees:
MS, 2017, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University
BS, 2011, Molecular Biology, Grove City College, Grove City, PA

• Jenkins MC, Stevens L, O'Brien C, Parkera C, Miskac K, Konjufca V. 2018. Incorporation of a recombinant Eimeria maxima IMP1 antigen into nanoparticles confers protective immunity against E. Maxima challenge infection. Vaccine 36(8): 1126–1131. Link

From the years 2008 to 2016, a total of 32 graduates recieved degrees from the Microbiology program