UT’s Rising Stars of Microbiology
UT microbiology faculty and graduate students collaborate for research reviews in a leading microbiology journal.
Three Department of Microbiology faculty members were nominated and selected this year for the American Society for Microbiology’s (ASM) “Rising Star in the Field of Host-Microbe Interactions,” a competitive initiative to feature review articles by top researchers for a special edition of Infection and Immunity, ASM’s journal for publishing papers on microbial health and disease from around the world.
These three outstanding microbiology faculty members are among 16 early-career scientists selected to be featured in the journal.
“Selection to write a research review in a leading microbiology journal is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Professor Mike Blum, associate dean for research and creative activity. “It is truly exceptional that three of our faculty have been selected. It reflects and showcases the amazing work being done at UT.”
These rising-star faculty members are Lindsey Burcham, Carolyn Ibberson, and Andrew Monteith, all assistant professors. Coauthors for each of their reviews were graduate student members of their lab teams.
“This not only recognizes the excellence of each of the recognized faculty and their trainees, but it highlights that the UT Department of Microbiology is a hub for exciting human health and wellness research,” said Professor Heidi Goodrich-Blair, microbiology department head.
Lindsey Burcham
Burcham and her lab team of microbiology graduate students published Exploring the vaginal ecosystem: insights into host-microbe interactions and microbial community dynamics. Their review explores complex microbial relationships with the human immune system to better understand and improve vaginal healthcare and disease prevention.
Carolyn Ibberson
Ibberson and her UT team published Infections as ecosystems: community metabolic interactions in microbial pathogenesis. Their review looks at how microbes exchange nutrients within hosts, particularly in mouths and respiratory systems, and how environmental factors influence their composition and function during infections to better understand the dynamics of microbial impact on health.
Andrew Monteith
Monteith and his lab team published Live fast, die young: neutrophils streamline their metabolism to maximize inflammation. Their review examines the relationship between neutrophil function and metabolism and how this impacts autoimmune and metabolic diseases and disorders in cases of bacterial infection.
By Randall Brown