First name,Last name,Preferred title,Overview,Position,Department,Individual
James,Samuel,Regents Professor and Head,"Our laboratory works with the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen, Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of Q fever and a category B biothreat agent. The long-term goal of this research is to understand the molecular pathogenic mechanisms involved in the host-pathogen interaction. To accomplish this broad goal, project in the lab are designed to test the molecular mechanisms employed by both the host and pathogen. Current pathogen studies include 1) broad survey of proteins secreted via a type 4 secretion system (T4SS) followed by determination of essentiality of each substrate for virulence and detailed analysis of mechanism of host modulation 2) survey of essential virulence loci identified by specific mutant screens, and 3) definition of the relative virulence of phylogenetically distinct isolate groups.",Regents Professor and Head,Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n01c3216f
Lawrence,Wolinsky,Dean,,Dean||Professor||Faculty Fellow,Periodontics||School of Dentistry||Center for Health Systems and Design,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n0d0247f9
James,Womack,Distinguished Professor,"Comparative mammalian genomics with emphasis on bovids and laboratory animals. Study of evolution of gene families and genomic variation underlying disease resistance. Investigation of genetic mechanisms in innate immunity with focus on livestock, select agents, and agricultural biosecurity.",Distinguished Professor,Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n0e1a49e2
Guoyao,Wu,Distinguished Professor,"Dr. Wu teaches graduate courses in protein metabolism and nutritional biochemistry. He conducts research in protein and amino acid metabolism at molecular, cellular, and whole body levels . The animal models used in his research include cattle, chicks, pigs, rats, sheep, fish, and shrimp. He has also conducted research on amino acid nutrition in humans.",Faculty Fellow||University Faculty Fellow||Distinguished Professor||Senior Faculty Fellow||Distinguished Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences||Animal Science||Texas A&M AgriLife Research||Texas A&M AgriLife Research||Nutrition,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n169f9a74
Juan,Bustamante,Instructional Associate Professor,,Instructional Associate Professor,Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n208ab557
Steven,Brinsko,Professor and Associate Department Head,,Professor and Associate Department Head,Large Animal Clinical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n26f29931
David,Russell,Professor,"My research focuses on proteomics, lipidomics, biophysical chemistry and application and development of mass spectrometry, such as ""label-free"" nano-particle based biosensors and novel peptide/protein isolation and purification strategies. We are also investigating the structure(s) of model peptides in an effort to better describe folding/unfolding and structure of membrane and intrinsically disordered (IDP) proteins. Peptides take on very different 2?, 3? and 4? structure, which determine or influence bio-activity. In the presence of lipid vesicles peptides can exist as solution-phase species, ""absorbed"" on lipid bilayers or ""inserted"" (as a monomer or multimer) in lipid bilayers. By what mechanism do peptides interact with lipid membranes to affect these structural changes, how do peptide-lipid interactions promote self-assembly to form intermediates that eventually yield aggregates, i.e., amyloid fibrils, or how does metal ion coordination affect the structure of metalloproteins? Mass spectrometry-based experiments, hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange, chemical 'foot-printing' and gas-phase (ion-molecule and ion-ion reaction chemistry) and solution-phase chemical modifications, have expanded our abilities to address such questions, and new instrumental approaches, esp. ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) combined with enhanced molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), have become standard tools for structural-mass spectrometry studies. Over the past several years we have either acquired or developed novel, next-generation IM-MS instruments that are redefining cutting-edge structural-mass spectrometry research as well as cutting-edge computational tools essential to carry out these studies. Our new laboratories in the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building (ILSB) provides exciting opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary research with chemical-biologists, biochemists and other chemists.",Professor,Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n280e03e6
Won-Bo,Shim,Professor and Associate Department Head,"Fungal pathogens of cereal crops can cause devastating disruption to the global food supply, and the economic loss due to crop diseases can add up to billions of dollars annually worldwide. The Shim lab at Texas A&M University focused on studying fungal pathogens of field crops, particularly Fusarium species. Notably, hazardous Fusarium mycotoxins pose a significant threat to global food safety and human health. Crop losses as well as the regulatory, testing, and management costs associated with mycotoxins in the US tops $1 billion annually.
The Genus Fusarium has had a great negative impact on agriculture and food safety but also presents a great opportunity for answering many fundamental questions. We are pursuing new discoveries that will ultimately lead to innovative tools for controlling crop diseases and mycotoxin contamination. To broaden the impact, we are actively collaborating with colleagues at Texas A&M as well as other prominent institutions worldwide. We are also very excited about our collaborations with colleagues in Texas A&M Engineering to spearhead multidisciplinary projects that can innovate plant pathology research.",Professor and Associate Department Head,Plant Pathology and Microbiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n28234bb8
Suresh,Pillai,Professor,"Dr. Pillai's research focuses on bacterial cell-to-cell signaling, the molecular ecology of pathogens in natural and man-made ecosystems and the use of novel technologies to concentrate, detect, and decontaminate pathogens. His research on molecular microbial ecology and cell-cell signaling is targeted at understanding the complex and hitherto poorly understood relationship between microbial communities and human behavior. His research is aimed at understanding the role that the GI tract-associated microbiome has on human behavior.",Professor,Poultry Science,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n3009b050
Luc,Berghman,Professor,"The hallmark of my research career is the development of novel antibodies and applying them toward the development of new immuno-biotechnological tools. My lab has developed an antibody discovery platform in chickens that goes from in silico sequence to epitope-specific chicken IgG (IgY) in less than 3 weeks based on in vivo CD40-targeted immunogen delivery.
Research projects include the study of the immune response in the chicken, especially the function of CD40-positive antigen presenting cells (such as the dendritic cells) in activating the humoral immune response and the development of chicken egg yolk antibodies, monoclonal antibodies and recombinant antibodies for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. a Dr. Berghman was the recipient of the 2016 Zoetis Fundamental Science Award.",Professor||Professor,Poultry Science||Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n3e016f20
Thomas,Mcdonald,Professor,"My research focuses on environmental chemistry, petroleum geochemistry, and general organic chemistry.",Professor,Environmental and Occupational Health,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n407d0459
Geoffrey,Kapler,Professor and Chair,"Dr. Kapler's broad research interests are concerned with the replication and transmission of eukaryotic chromosomes. The failure to completely replicate the genome during S phase or partially re-replicate chromosomes leads to genome instability- a hallmark of cancer cells. The central questions investigated in the laboratory are concerned with how replication initiation sites are established in chromosomes and how they are regulated during conventional (G1/S/G2/M) and alternative cell cycles, including endoreplication (gap-S-gap-S...) and locus-specific gene amplification. The current focus of the lab is to use high throughput (nascent strand) DNA sequencing to generate a comprehensive map of replication initiation sites under different physiological conditions.",Professor and Chair||Professor,Cell Biology and Genetics||Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n4128afa1
Mark,Burow,Professor,"Goals of the program are, in collaboration with peanut breeding programs in College Station and Stephenville to
(1) release new cultivars for Texas growers, incorporating:
high yield
improved edible seed quality -early maturity, high oleic oil
resistance to water deficit, heat, and salt stress
resistance to disease and pests, especially leafspot, nematodes, and Sclerotinia blight
(2) Participate in the International Peanut Genome Initiative, and use genomics technology in cultivar
development
(3) Participate in international collaborations with scientists, especially in Ghana and Burkina Faso
through a Peanut and Mycotoxin Innovation Lab/ USAID project",Professor||Professor,Soil and Crop Sciences||Lubbock Research and Extension Center,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n57d1bc41
Gladys,Ko,Professor,,Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n5e930c1f
Jon,Skare,Regents Professor and Associate Head,"Jon Skare is Regents Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology in the College of Medicine at Texas A&M University. He has been a faculty member at Texas A&M since 1996 and has led a research laboratory centered around the pathogenic mechanisms operative in Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochetal bacterium that causes Lyme disease. He has published over 50 peer reviewed manuscript, reviews, and book chapters and been funded continuously by the NIH since 1999 with over $20 million dollars in total costs. Dr. Skare has trained ten graduate students, sixteen postdoctoral fellows, and numerous undergraduate students in his research group during his time at Texas A&M. The majority of his postdoctoral trainees and students have gone on to hold academic or industry positions in the medical sciences.
Research interests are focused on microbial pathogenesis with an emphasis in spirochetal infections, particularly Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. Broad training in the molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry of prokaryotic systems is employed to answer research-related questions. Long-term interests in the lab are centered on understanding how B. burgdorferi promotes its pathogenic potential and persists in the disparate hosts it occupies in nature (e.g., both ticks and mammals). In this regard, the research program is aligned with: (i) regulatory pathways that contribute to the establishment of infection during the arthropod to mammalian transition; (ii) identifying and characterizing surface structures that contribute to the colonization and maintenance of infection via adherence mechanisms; and (iii) the ability of B. burgdorferi and relapsing fever Borrelia to persistently infect hosts in the face of a potent innate and adaptive immune response.",Professor and Associate Head,Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n638ae603
William,Alley,TEES Researcher at TAMU-San Antonio,,TEES Researcher at TAMU-San Antonio||Assistant Professor of Chemistry,"Texas A&M University – San Antonio - (San Antonio, Txas, United States)||Texas A&M University – San Antonio - (San Antonio, Texas, United States)||TEES Regional Divisions",https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n6885ef8c
Ismael,Badillo Vargas,Assistant Professor,,Assistant Professor||Assistant Professor,Entomology||Weslaco Research and Extension Center,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n6cb711e2
Guan,Zhu,Professor,"Our laboratory conducts translational research with an ultimate goal to discover new anti-parasitic therapeutics by targeting metabolic enzymes and other molecules critical or essential to the parasite infection, survival and development, such as those involved in the lipid and energy metabolisms and interacting with host cells in Cryptosporidium and other protozoan parasites. Other research areas include functional genomics and molecular evolution of apicomplexan parasites, and parasitic diseases important to the conservation of wild animals.",Professor,Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n6d62f33b
Larry,Johnson,Professor,,Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n72de4d00
Leslie,Adams,Senior Professor,"My research is focused on the: 1) investigation of the comparative molecular pathogenesis of zoonotic intracellular bacterial pathogens in natural animal models, particularly brucellosis, salmonellosis, and mycobacterial diseases; 2) development of vaccines and host gene expression-based diagnostics for zoonotic and select agent caused diseases, and especially 3) development of in silico host:pathogen interactome predictive models based upon bi-directional in vivo host (bovine/murine) and Brucella spp., Mycobacterium spp.and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium interactions. We developed an in silico computational infection biology model based on actuall temporal in vivo bovine model microarray-based transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of the acute infectious process. We developed a systems biology analysis of both host and pathogen comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic datasets derived from our in vivo biological model. We computationally fused the datasets based on actual Salmonella, Brucella and Mycobacterium data and computationally predicted bovine host structural proteins to identify maximum likelihoods of host and pathogen protein:protein interactions as the basis for our preliminary in silico interactome model to predict mechanistic genes and linked perturbed cellular pathways.",Senior Professor,Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n75fee121
Fuller,Bazer,Distinguished Professor,"Dr. Bazer's research in reproductive biology focuses on uterine biology and pregnancy, particularly pregnancy recognition signaling from the conceptus to the maternal uterus by interferon tau and estrogen from ruminant and pig conceptuses, respectively. The roles of uterine secretions as transport proteins, regulatory molecules, growth factors and enzymes and endocrine regulation of their secretion is another major research interest. The endocrinology of pregnancy, especially the roles of lactogenic and growth hormones in fetal-placental development and uterine functions are being studied. The mechanism(s) of action and potential therapeutic value of conceptus interferons and uterine-derived hematopoietic growth factors are areas of research with both pigs and sheep as models for human disease.",Distinguished Professor,Animal Science,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7ad91d50
Ursula,Winzer-Serhan,Associate Professor,"I am interested in studying how gene environmental interactions shape the brain during development. In particular, I am interested in how early life exposure to psychoactive drugs, like nicotine and alcohol, permanently shape the brain which could result in long-term cognitive impairments, anxiety, and anti-social behavior. My lab is currently focused on the effects of nicotine. Nicotine interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) which are ligand-gated, pentameric cation channels.",Associate Professor,Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7c166c20
Arul,Jayaraman,Professor,,Professor,Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7deb8230
J Timothy,Lightfoot,Professor,"My research focuses on on the genetics of daily physical activity and exercise endurance, as well as the physiological response to high-G exposure and hemorrhage, and the genetics of physical activity. My lab also has a unique interest in the physiological responses of athletes in a variety of non-traditional venues such as auto racing and in musicians.",Professor,Kinesiology and Sport Management,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7ec5bc99
Rosemary,Walzem,Professor,"Dr. Walzem's core research focus within the laboratory is directed towards understanding how the structure of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins influences their ability to carry out specific nutrient delivery tasks. Her studies include identification of mechanisms and regulatory processes that control the assembly of trigylceride-rich lipoproteins in issues, structural studies of lipoproteins themselves and physiological studies to determine substrate properties and metabolic fates of different types of lipoproteins. Diet can significantly alter lipoprotein physiology through multiple mechanisms, and studies of diet effects provides a significant sub-theme to the research program. A variety of species are used to address specific questions, however, avian and human lipoprotein metabolism as it relates to egg production and atherogenesis, respectively, are emphasized.",Professor,Poultry Science,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n85cd191f
Masako,Suzuki,Assistant Professor,,Assistant Professor,Nutrition,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n9fd0c6a8
Penny,Riggs,"Associate Professor, Animal Science",,Adjunct Associate Professor||Associate Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences||Animal Science,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nab0c8ffe
Sang Jin,Suh,Associate Professor,"There are several research foci in the Suh laboratory. First, we are interested in elucidating and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the survival of pathogenic bacteria in nature and the contribution of these mechanisms to aid these pathogens in their ability to cause human diseases.
Second, we are interested in developing peptide based biosensors for rapid detection of important bacterial pathogens. Our biosensors can detect pathogens in just minutes rather than hours or days of other approaches. Third, we are interested in genetic and metabolic engineering to develop bacterial cells into microbial factory for optimal production of value-added products.",Associate Professor,Biomedical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nb2c8b3d4
John,Wright,Regents Professor,,Regents Professor and Chair||Regents Professor,Diagnostic Sciences||Diagnostic Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nb87e53bf
Amanda,Macfarlane,Director Food and Nutrition Evidence Center,,Director Food and Nutrition Evidence Center||Professor,Texas A&M AgriLife Research||Nutrition,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nbd1502ad
Sai,Koka,Associate Professor,"My research is focused on the studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the development of cardiometabolic disorders and identifying novel pharmacologic strategies to combat cardiovascular cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, endothelial and vascular dysfunction in diabetic, obese and aging patients. Currently we are exploring the role of gut microbe-derived metabolites in endothelial and vascular cell signaling.",Associate Professor,Pharmaceutical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nbdc012b7
Xingmao,Ma,Associate Professor,,Associate Professor,Civil Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nd2874fb7
Kevin,Ong,Professor and Extension Specialist,"Dr. Ong is currently the director of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (Plant Clinic). This laboratory provides plant disease diagnostic service to AgriLife Extension personnel, homeowners, farmers, greenhouse and nursery producers, landscape contractors, interiorscapers, arborists, consultants, and any other group or individual needing accurate identification of plant disease problems. The Plant Clinic collaborates efforts with state and federal agencies through the National Plant Diagnostic Network - Southern Region.",Professor & Extension Specialist||Professor & Extension Specialist,Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension||Plant Pathology and Microbiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nd3535572
Deborah,Siegele,Associate Professor,"Phenotypes are observable characteristics of an organism that result from the expression of a particular genotype in a particular environment. Examples of phenotypic traits in microbes are motility, sporulation, ability to perform anaerobic respiration, and resistance/sensitivity to an antibiotic.
Until recently, phenotypic information has been captured as free text descriptions in research papers. Ambiguities in natural language confound attempts to retrieve information across sources. For example, ""serotype"" and ""serovar"" both refer to the same phenotype, but a simple text-based query with either word alone would miss the other. Or a single term, such as ""sporulation"" is used to refer to multiple, distinct processes in different organisms. Issues such as these hamper the ability to integrate different phenotypic data sets for the same organism or to use phenotypic information in one organism to predict possible phenotypes in another organism. Ideally, phenotype information should be stored in a consistent, computable format for ease of data integration and mining.
Controlled vocabularies are used to provide both consistent terminology and a structured data format for the capture of biological information. Ontologies are controlled vocabularies of defined terms with unique identifiers and precise relationships to each other. There are phenotype ontologies available for many eukaryotic organisms, including fungi. However, when the OMP project was initiated, none of the existing ontologies was appropriate to comprehensively capture phenotypes for Bacteria or Archaea or to enable comparisons across microbial taxa.
The Siegele lab and our collaborators at TAMU and the Univ. of Maryland (IGS) are developing a formal Ontology of Microbial Phenotypes (OMP). Our lab is focused on term development and annotating microbial phenotypes. OMP can be accessed at microbialphenotypes.org. Releases of OMP are available at github.com/microbialphenotypes.",Associate Professor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne333d587
Cecilia,Tamborindeguy,Professor,"Our laboratory studies transmission of plant pathogens by insects. Research is aimed at understanding ecological and molecular aspects of plant-insect-pathogen interactions. We use Zebra Chip (ZC),an emergent disease affecting solanaceous plants, as model system. The causative agent, ""Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum"", is an alpha-proteobacterium vectored y the potato/tomato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. We currently use genetic and biochemical approaches to investigate different aspects of pathogen transmission and the biology of the vector insect.",Professor,Entomology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne6e645ee
Jeffrey,Cirillo,Professor,"Our laboratory is interested in the pathogenesis of bacterial lung infections particularly tuberculosis and Legionnaires' disease. We are examining the virulence mechanisms of bacteria using cellular, molecular and genetic techniques. Our primary research goal is to obtain a better understanding of the roles of the pathogen and host in disease. These studies should contribute to our understanding of host-pathogen interactions at the molecular and cellular level that can be used for prevention, treatment and diagnosis. We hope that through a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these organisms cause disease we can prevent some, if not all, of these infections in the future.",Professor||Director,Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology||Center for Airborne Pathogen Research and Tuberculosis Imaging,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne8bc1122
Michael,Hall,Professor,"Our group applies ""state-of-the-art"" theoretical techniques to chemical problems of current interest to practicing inorganic, organometallic, and biological chemists. We also develop new algorithms that are especially suited to electronic structure problems in large transition metal molecules.",Professor,Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne91c0625
David,Caldwell,Professor and Head,,Professor||Professor and Head,"Poultry Science||Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management||Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences",https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nea632206
Steven,Maxwell,Associate Professor,"My primary interests include Cancer; Oncogenes; Tumor Suppressor; Genes Programmed Cell Death (apoptosis); Chemoresistance, and Angiogenesis. My laboratory studies mechanisms of evolution of chemoresistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). One current primary objective is to conduct a Phase I study that (1) confirms RTI-79 safety in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer patients, and (2) demonstrates signals of efficacy in humans (ex: time-to-disease progression and changes in CA125 biomarker). A second objective is to better define the RTI-79 mechanism of action (MOA) by (1) determining how RTI-79 causes a rapid burst in superoxides, and (2) elucidating the basis of Nrf-2 pathway downregulation.",Associate Professor,Cell Biology and Genetics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/neb5b702f
Jan,Suchodolski,Professor,"Our research is focused on gastrointestinal function testing, gastrointestinal pathogens, and intestinal microbial ecology with an emphasis on probiotics and prebiotics and how intestinal pathogens lead to disturbances in the intestinal microbiome of companion animals.",Associate Director of GI Lab||Professor,Small Animal Clinical Sciences||Small Animal Clinical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf0f36949
Joerg,Steiner,Professor,"My veterinary career has mainly focused on two aspects, patient care and clinically-relevant research. As a veterinary clinician and clinical teacher I am exposed to a wide variety of canine and feline patients with complex medical conditions. These patients serve as a constant source of new clinical problems that beckon to be studied further. Sometimes these studies are merely clinical, relating to characterization of an uncommon condition, diagnosis of a difficult-to-diagnose condition, or a novel therapeutic approach to a well-described condition. In other instances studies that are spurred by clinical cases are more basic-science based, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to further evaluate the etiology or pathogenesis of a disease. In some instances, studies may provide comparative aspects related to experimental animals, such as rodents or primates, or even to human patients with similar conditions. I believe that my role as a mentor can be unique in that I can help graduate students bridge the gap between science and clinical aspects and between veterinary and human medical interests - giving us further opportunities to advance the concept of one-health.","Professor||Director, Gastrointestinal Laboratory",School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences||Small Animal Clinical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf4de66a0