Microbiology and Immunology Forum Archives
The Microbiology and Immunology Forum (MCBI 7480) is an integral part of the graduate training program in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in which students develop their skills in presenting research findings in a standard seminar format. All students are required to give a formal seminar once each semester on a topic from current research literature or their own research. The Forum is attended by all departmental faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and research staff who participate in discussion and critical review of the presentation.
Fall 2023
September 28, 2023
“Protease Recognition by C1 esterase inhibitor: More than just the reactive center loop”
Ryan Garrigues, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 19, 2023
“The role of myoferlin in the invasion of adult T-cell leukemia”
Kawsar Sarker, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
November 2, 2023
“BAFF neutralization attenuates B-cell activation, worsens adipose tissue remodeling, and promotes insulin resistance in obese mice”
Melissa Lempicki, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
November 9, 2023
“A Novel Platform for Anti-Viral Therapeutic Vaccines”
Hoda Jabbour, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
November 16, 2023
“MucR represses Brucella genes encoding polar autotransporter adhesins”
Connor Cribb, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
December 7, 2023
“Consequences of age-related 1-IFN-related TLR signaling changes in human hematopoietic cells”
Sara Lowe, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
Individuals with disabilities, requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at 252-328-6799 (V) or 252-328-0899 (TTY).
Spring 2023
February 16, 2023
“MucR represses Brucella genes encoding polar adhesins”
Connor Cribb, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
February 23, 2023
“BAFF neutralization retains insulin resistance in late-stage obesity”
Melissa Lempicki, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
March 2, 2023
“A Novel Platform for Narrow-Spectrum Anti-Viral Therapeutics and Vaccines”
Hoda Jabbour, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
March 23, 2023
“Noncanonical determinants of C1 esterase inhibitor specificity”
Ryan Garrigues, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 13, 2023 – Dissertation
“Structure-function Analysis of a Family of Borrelial C1r Inhibitors from Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever Spirochetes”
Charles “CJ” Booth, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 20, 2023
“Investigating membrane-binding properties of lipoxygenases using surface plasmon resonance”
Denise Rohlik, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
May 4, 2023
“Ex vivo toll-like receptor expression and inflammatory cytokine profiles of young and old hematopoietic cell types”
Sara Lowe, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
Fall 2022
August 25, 2022
“Silencer/Counter-Silencer Interactions in Brucella—Role of the H-NS-like Protein MucR in Virulence Gene Regulation and Nucleoid Structuring“
Ian Barton, Postdoctoral Scholar, Microbiology & Immunology
September 1, 2022 – Poster Presentations
Connor Cribb – “Is CuxR the missing link between CdG signaling and virulence in Brucella?”
Ryan Garrigues – “Determination of functional exosites within a key regulator of blood proteases: C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH)”
Hoda Jabbour – “A Novel Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Therapeutic Platform”
Melissa Lempicki – “BAFF neutralization impairs regression of insulin resistance after weight loss in diabetic mice” Jackson Wood – “How lepA and ettA mutations impact Acinetobacter baumannii growth in csrA mutants”
September 22, 2022
“Outer surface lipoproteins from the Lyme disease spirochete exploit the molecular switch mechanism of the complement protease C1s“
Ryan Garrigues, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
September 29, 2022
“The dynamic duo: how protein flexibility and conformation affect the function of borrelial C1r inhibitors”
Charles “C.J.” Booth, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 25, 2022 – Tuesday
“The Double-Edged Role of BAFF in the Progression of Obesity and Diabetes“
Melissa Lempicki, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
November 3, 2022
“OxyR regulation of gene expression in response to hydrogen peroxide exposure during Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia”
Jackson Wood, Master Student, Microbiology & Immunology
November 10, 2022
“Is CuxR the missing link between c-di-GMP signaling and virulence in Brucella?”
Connor Cribb, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
November 17, 2022
“Bacterially-derived models of inhibition: The development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting the classical pathway of complement”
Denise Rohlik, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
December 8, 2022
“Toll-like Receptor Expression on Young and Old Hematopoietic Cell Types”
Sara Lowe, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
December 13, 2022 – Tuesday
“A Novel Platform for Narrow- and Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Therapeutics and Vaccines“
Hoda Jabbour, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
Spring 2022
January 12, 2022 (Wednesday 2pm)
“C1q binding to surface-bound IgG is stabilized by C1r2s2 proteases”
Ryan Garrigues, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
January 27, 2022
“A major change within the structural biology field”
Charles “C.J.” Booth, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
February 17, 2022
“Is CuxR the missing link between CdG signaling and Brucella virulence?“
Connor Cribb, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
March 24, 2022
“Fragment-based drug design in the development of novel inhibitors against the initiating protease, C1r, of the classical pathway of complement“
Denise Rohlik, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 29, 2022 (Biotech Conference Room – 110) 1:00pm
“Contributions of ARID3a in Type 1 Interferon Response with Innate Immune Engagement between Young and Old Donors“
Sara Lowe, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
May 26, 2022 (Brody 2E-100) 10:00am – 12:00pm
“Investigation into the roles of exosites on C1 esterase inhibitor function“
Ryan Garrigues, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
Upcoming in May 2022:
Hoda Jabbour, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology – TBD
Melissa Lempicki, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology – TBD
Postponed until Fall 2022 – Brody 5th floor
Poster Presentations
Connor Cribb – “TBA ”
Ryan Garrigues – “TBA ”
Hoda Jabbour – “TBA ”
Melissa Lempicki – “TBA “
Spring 2021
January 20, 2021 – Wednesday
“YebC regulates variable surface antigen VlsE expression and is required for host immune evasion in Borrelia burgdorferi”
Connor Cribb, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
January 27, 2021 – Wednesday
“Activation of invariant natural killer T cells stimulates adipose tissue remodeling via adipocyte death and birth in obesity”
Melissa Lempicki, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
February 11, 2021
“Highly specific inhibition of C1q globular-head binding to human IgG: A novel approach to control and regulate the classical complement pathway using an engineered single chain antibody variable fragment“
Denise Rohlik, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
February 18, 2021
“Structure-function study of the Fibronectin Binding Protein C-termini of Borrelia miyamotoi“
Charles “CJ” Booth, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
February 25, 2021
“Neuraminidases in Bacteroides fragilis represent a potential target for antimicrobial therapy“
Nathaniel Seals, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
March 25, 2021
“HTLV-1 activates expression of type IV collagen”
Wesley Kendle, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 8, 2021
“Age-Dependent Changes of Adipokine and Cytokine Secretion From Rat Adipose Tissue by Endogenous and Exogenous Toll-Like Receptor Agonists“
Sara Lowe, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
April 14, 2021 – Wednesday
“Mitochondrial Pyruvate Import Promotes Long-Term Survival of Antibody-Secreting Plasma Cells“
Hoda Jabbour, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
April 22, 2021
“Determining Whether a Putative Unipolar Polysaccharide Functions as a True Polysaccharide in Brucella abortus 2308“
Dariel Hopersberger, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
May 6, 2021
Poster Presensation – MS Teams
Connor Cribb – “Investigation the putative cyclic-di-GMP binding protein CuxR in Brucella ”
Hoda Jabbour – “Uncovering Protein Regulators that Promote Aggregation/Biofilm Formation in Borrelia burgdorferi ”
Melissa Lempicki – “Unexpected role of BAFF in high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance”
Sara Lowe – “Contributions of ARID3A to innate immune responses on human hematopoietic progenitor stem cells between young and old donors”
Fall 2020
August 20, 2020
“Remodeling of Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niches Promotes Myeloid Cell Expansion during Premature or Physiological Aging”
Sara Lowe, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
August 27, 2020
“Glucose Metabolism and Oxygen Availability Govern Reactivation of the Latent Human Retrovirus HTLV-1”
Nichole Carter, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
September 10, 2020
“Structure-function study of the Fibronectin Binding Proteins of Borrelia miyamotoi”
Charles “CJ” Booth, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
September 17, 2020
“Comparing the glycan harvesting strategies of two Bacteroidetes organisms: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides fragilis”
Nathaniel Seals, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
September 24, 2020
“Identifying monophosphoryl lipid A as a possible tolerogenic adjuvant that functions through enhancing the presentation of low affinity self-antigens on dendritic cells”
Alexander Bastian, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 1, 2020
“HTLV-1 activates expression of type IV collagen to promote efficient viral transmission”
Wesley Kendle, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 8, 2020
“A Putative Unipolar Polysaccharide is Linked to the Virulence of Brucella abortus 2308 in Mice”
Dariel Hopersberger, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 22, 2020
“Delineating the mechanism of aggregate or biofilm formation in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi”
Priyanka Theophilus, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
November 5, 2020
“sCD25 is an Antagonistic Soluble Cytokine Receptor Capable of Driving a Low-Zone IL-2 Signaling Environment Favorable for in vitro Treg Dominance ”
Rebecca Nickle, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
November 19, 2020
“Targeting the initiator protease of the classical pathway of complement in microglial inflammatory polarization”
Denise Rohlik, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
December 10, 2020
“Low-Zone IL-2 Signaling: Fusion Proteins Containing Linked CD25 and IL-2 Domains Sustain Tolerogenic Vaccination in vivo and Promote Dominance of FOXP3+ Tregs in vitro”
Kayla DeOca, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunolog
Fall 2019
August 29, 2019
Poster Presentations
Microbiology & Immunology Doctoral Students ~ Brody, North 5th Floor
Charles “CJ” Booth: “Elucidating the function of the Fbp’s of Relapsing Fever Spirochetes”
Chris Norton: “Targeting Exportin-1 Inhibits HTLV-1 Infection”
Denise Rohik: “Development of inhibitors of the initiating proteases, C1r and C1s, of the classical complement pathway”
September 12, 2019
“Immune evasion of Borreila miyamotoi: CbiA, a novel outer surface protein exhibiting complement binding and inactivation properties”
Charles “CJ” Booth, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
September 19, 2019
“Regulatory T cells mediate specific suppression by depleting peptide-MHC class II from dendritic cells”
Alexander Bastian, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
October 10, 2019
“HTLV-1 Tax-1 interacts with SNX27 to regulate cellular localization of the HTLV-1 receptor molecule, GLUT1”
Wesley Kendle, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
October 17, 2019
“A Low-Efficacy Hairpin Fusion Protein Elicits Stable Outgrowth of FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells”
Kayla DeOca, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 29, 2019 @ 10:00am
“Characterization of the Unipolar Polysaccharide (UPP) in Brucella abortus 2308”
Dariel Hopersberger, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
October 31, 2019
“Delineating the mechanism of aggregate or biofilm formation in the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi”
Priyanka Theophilus, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
December 5, 2019
“Regulatory T Cells as a Cellular Immunotherapy for Autoimmune Diseases”
Rebecca Nickle, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
Spring 2019
January 17, 2019
Poster Presentations Microbiology & Immunology Doctoral Students ~ Brody, North 5th Floor
Alexander Bastian: “Antigen persistence on lymph node derived APCs may contribute to but is not sufficient for persistent Treg activation in GMCSF-MOG vaccinated mice”
Charles “CJ” Booth: “Structure-function studies of Borrelia turicatae fibronectin binding proteins”
Wesley Kendle: “The role of neuropilin-1 in cell-to-cell infection of T-cells by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1”
Chris Norton: “Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 bZIP Factor Represses Annexin A1 Expression”
Nathaniel Seals: “Cis-encoded small RNA, donS, negativiely regulates expression of the N-glycan utilization locus, donCDEFG in Bacteroides fragilis”
January 24, 2019
“Elucidating the Role of Trehalose during Desiccation Tolerance in Acinetobacter baumannii”
Samantha Palethorpe, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
January 30, 2019 – WEDNESDAY @ 2:30pm (2E-100)
“HTLV-1 Viral Factor HBZ Induces CCR4 to Promote T-cell Migration and Proliferation”
Chris Norton, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
February 7, 2019
“Regulation of acetate metabolism and coordination with the TCA cycle via a processed small RNA”
Nathaniel Seals, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
February 13, 2019 – WEDNESDAY @ 2:30pm (2E-100)
“Anti-Opsonic Properties of Staphylokinase”
Charles “CJ” Booth, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
March 14, 2019
“A Rhizobiales-Specific Unipolar Polysaccharide Adhesin Contributes to Rhodopseudomonas palustris Biofilm Formation across Diverse Photoheterotrophic Conditions”
Dariel Hopersberger, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 4, 2019
“Acinetobacter baumannii universal stress protein A plays a pivotal role in stress response and is essential for pneumonia and sepsis pathogenesis”
Samantha Palethorpe, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 17, 2019 – WEDNESDAY
“Use of a low-efficacy IL-2 tolerogenic fusion protein to stabilize and expand immunosuppressive regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo”
Kayla DeOca, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 18, 2019
“Delineating the mechanism of aggregate formation in Borrelia burgdorferi”
Priyanka Theophilus, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology
April 29, 2019 – Monday @ 1:00pm
“Uncovering the importance of antigen recognition in regulatory T cell function and introducing antigen-specific regulatory T cells as a possible universal treatment for autoimmune disease”
Alexander Bastian, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
May 8, 2019 – Wednesday
“The role of HBZ in cell-to-cell transmission of HTLV-1 through activation of neuropilin-1 and collagen IV gene expression”
Wesley Kendle, Doctoral Student, Microbiology & Immunology
June 20, 2019
“CTLA-4-mediated transendocytosis of costimulatory molecules primarily targets migratory dendritic cells”
Rebecca Nickle, Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology