Research Interests
Our lab focuses on two discrete research interests that use microbiology to solve complex problems. The first is cellular metabolism. Our lab is interested in the regulation of metabolism in response to the availability of nutrients and other factors affecting growth. A dysfunction in proper allocation of these resources lies at the heart of a variety of diseases including diabetes and cancer. Our lab focuses on the study of PAS kinase, a highly conserved sensory protein kinase that is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The PAS kinase protein has both a sensory and a regulatory domain. The PAS domain regulates an attached serine/threonine protein kinase that then modifies other proteins in order to regulate cellular processes in response to certain stimuli. PAS kinase has been shown to regulate both respiration rates and triglyceride accumulation. Our goal is to further characterize the role PAS kinase plays in metabolic regulation by identifying specific mechanisms involved in its activation and function using Baker's Yeast as a model organism.Our second area of interest are Bacterial Hosts And the Phages that infect them (BHAP). Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria, the most abundant cellular life on the planet. Due to their ability to transfer genetic material and/or kill their hosts, bacteriophages are a major driving force in bacterial evolution. They are incredibly understudied meaning that we regularly isolate and sequence bacteriophages that have no known relatives when analyzing their DNA or encoded proteins. Therefore they represent a reservoir of untapped biological resources. In addition, they can provide treatments to many bacterial diseases from phytopathogens to animal and human pathogens.
Education
- Ph.D., Biology , University of Utah (2003)
- BS, Chemistry , Mathematics, University of Utah (1996)
Honors and Awards
- Lives Award, Be the Match Marrow Donor Foundation (2022 - 2022)
- Alcuin Fellowship, BYU Honors Program (2018 - 2019)
- C. Joseph Rowberry Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship, Brigham Young University (2018 - 2019)
- Maesar Excellence in Teaching Award , Brigham Young University (2017 - 2018)
- First place award -NSF Community College Innovation Challenge (2017), NSF (2017 - 2017)
- Faculty Womens Scholarship Award, Faculty Womens Association (2016 - 2017)
- Technology Transfer Ward, BYU Technology Transfer Office (2016 - 2016)
- Gold medal, IGEM (2011 - 2011)
- American Society for Microbiology Early-Career Faculty Travel Award, American Society for Microbiology (2009 - 2009)
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Fellowship, National Institute of Health (2006 - 2006)
- Multidisiplinary Cancer Training Fellow, National Institute of Health (2004 - 2006)
Memberships
- Genetics society of America (2014 - Present)
- Science Education Alliance (SEA) (2010 - Present)
- American Society for Microbiology (2000 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Conference-Related Role, 2013 Analytical Genetics Meeting