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1Summer/Fall 2018Inside this issue:Annual MMIGraduate StudentSymposium12nd Year Students2In Memory of MarkShirtliff32017 MMI HolidayResearch Networking4ASM Atlanta 2018:The MarylandMichigan Party52017 MMI StudentRetreat6Graduating Students7Microbiology andImmunology Laurels92017 Researcher ofthe Year Award11Happy News12MMI Students DoingFun Things13Publications14Contact Info17MICROSCOOP STAFFJackline Lasola, Editor-in-ChiefJeremy Ardanuy, ContributingEditorBrandi Hobbs, Contributing EditorHanover Matz, Contributing EditorEmily Smith, Contributing EditorWith special thanks toHeather Ezelle and Tanya HopkinsAnnual MMI Graduate Student SymposiumEvery year, the Molecular Microbiology andImmunology Program hosts the AnnualMMI Graduate Student Symposium (June Presentations)where every student in the program gives a formal presentation to the department. One graduating MMI student withoutstanding research accomplishments and strong servicecontributions to the Microbiology and Immunology community is selected each year as the winner and recipient of theJames Kaper award (formerly the Ollie Eylar Award). Recipients receive a monetary award and their names inscribedonto plaques that hang in the Longo Lounge for all to remember them by. Thankyou to Dr. Kaper for refilling the endowmentand continuing this tra2017 James Kaper Awarddition for the students.Recipient: Dr. SabinaThe 2017 winner wasKaczanowska pictured with Dr.SabinaKaczanowskaJames Kaper (left) and Dr. BretwhogenerouslyusedHassel (right)her monetary award tobuy and donate the Keurig coffee maker that is now inthe Longo Lounge. Thank you, Sabina! The 2018 recipient of the James Kaper Award was Stephanie Lehman. Congratulations to both Stephanie and Sabina, 2018 James Kaper Award Recipient: Dr.and the MMI community thanks you for your contri- Stephanie Lehman pictured with Dr. JamesKaper (left) Bret Hassel (right)
2Page 2New Students (2nd Year)Anya O’NealGillian MbamboI am originally from Sykesville, MD,I was born and raised in Malawi, butand attended the University of Maryhave been in Baltimore/Maryland forland, College Park for undergrad. Folthe last 11 years. I completed my unlowing graduation I was a post-bacdergraduate work at the University offellow at the FDA for one year. MyMaryland, College Park. Prior toresearch interests are bacterial pathostarting graduate school I worked atgenesis, genetics, and innate immunithe Division of Malaria Research atty. I've been playing viola and violin for 15 years the Institute for Global Health here at the Universityand I have a minor in music performance.of Maryland. My research interests are in bioinformatics and immunological approaches to vaccinedevelopment and understanding host-pathogen interactions. With my free time I enjoy hiking, traveling,Robert Hauptand food/eating. As it follows, I am obsessed withanything chickpeas.I am from Paso Robles, CA, moved toOklahoma to serve in the Air Forcefor four years and afterward earnedmy BS from the University of OklaJessica Allenhoma (Microbiology) and MS fromthe Univ of Central OklahomaI am originally from Germantown,(Forensics). I have been married toMaryland and just graduated fromJanis for 14 years and we have two kids, TylerUniversity of Maryland, College Park.(11) and Madison (6). Our hobbies are runningI have a wide range of research interour kids from one sports event to another, snowests that include immunology, bacteriskiing, bicycling and travel to sandy beaches. Ial pathogenesis, but especially theraam now active-duty in the Army (16 years totalpeutic development. During my freeservice), which has given me four years to andearn a PhD with the Frieman Lab (Virology). Life time, I like to go on runs and explore the city. A funfact for me is that I lived in Spain and traveled aroundis busy.Europe for 5 months.Jerod BrammerI am originally from northwesternConnecticut. I did my undergrad atElms College in Chicoppee, MA, andmy masters at Central ConnecticutState University. My prior academicresearch was in restriction modification systems and bioremediation ofgasoline contaminated soil. My current interestsare understanding how bacterial pathogens adaptto infect different tissues. In my free time I enjoywood-working. An interesting fact about me isthat I have lived in more countries than states.Additionally, I have been married for five yearsand have an 11-month-old daughter.Ellis TibbsI am originally from St. Louis, MO andcompleted my undergraduate work atUniversity of Missouri-Columbia. Iworked for 2 years at the NIH conductingresearch on regenerative capability of salivary glands post-radiation. My researchinterests are in tumor immunology/developmental biology. My favorite hobbies are playing rugby and bowling (opposite ends of the spectrumI know). Outside of my odd hobbies, a fun fact is thatI have been on billboards across Missouri.
3MICROSCOOPPage 3In Memory of Mark Shirtliff1969-2018The Microscoop staff would like to acknowledge the unexpected passing of a dearteacher, mentor, colleague, and friend to many of us on campus. As many are aware,Mark Shirtliff, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis at theUniversity of Maryland School of Dentistry and the Department of Microbiology andImmunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine passed unexpectedlyon July 12, 2018, during a rafting accident on the Yellowstone River near Gardiner,Montana.We miss him dearly and will be dedicating a special memorial to him in the upcomingSpring 2019 issue of Microscoop.
4Page 4MICROSCOOP2 0 1 7 M o l e c u l a r M i c ro b i o lo g ya n d I mm u n o lo g y H o l id a y R e s e a rc hN et wo r k in g E v e n tBy B r an d i H o b b sThe 2017 MMI Holiday RNE took place in the HSF II Atrium, which was transformedinto a red and white candyland delight where students, staff and faculty gathered tocelebrate the holidays and the successes of the year. Holiday music played in the background, setting a jolly ambiance. The buffet table glimmered with the juices of savories and sweets, veggies and treats. Cocktail and dessert contests highlighted the numerous non-scientific talents of members of our department. Martin Flajnik sang the classics on the karaoke machine. It was memorable. The department holiday present thisyear was cozy navy blue hoodie with the department logo, worn home by all as theytrotted through the stormy blizzard outside.Students being jolly and enjoying good food, beer, andkaraoke singing:Barry Lab standing with the winning Elf Contest entry. Labs were tobuild an elf out of lab supplies.Brandi Hobbs and Emily Smith singing“Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen.Hanover Matz, Ashley Mitchell, EmilyFlowersMolly Hritzo, BrandiHobbs, DominiqueBollino, SusannahShissler
5Page 5MICROSCOOPPagePage5 11RetreatASM arty”ByJeremyBrandiArdanuyHobbsByOn May 23, 2017, the MMI students gathered at the tranquil home of M&I faculty Dr. AlanSchmaljohnfor a Harryday ofMobleycamaraderieandKaperfellowship.metsmall Americangroups to discussBack in the 80’s,and JimsharedStudentsa room ured,Microbiology (ASM) national conference. They decided to host a networking event in their roomandweretomade.studentsDr. Schmaljohnand hiswife,asAmy,forand memoriesinvited friendscomeTheby fordrinkswouldat thelikeend toofthankthe conference.What oncestarteda metous,aswellasGPILSandMMIforfundingget together in a hotel room with a bathtub full of ice and drinks, has blossomed into a massiveourretreat!eventthat ASM attendees look forward to each year!Drs. Mobley and Kaper have continued to hostthis event every year since and it is known as“The Maryland-Michigan Party”, since Dr.Mobley moved to a position at the Universityof Michigan. Every year, this traditional partyhas grown, going from a block of rooms, to areception hall, and recently to an entirely rented out bar.This year’s ASM Maryland-Michigan Party washeld at The Hudson Grille, overlooking Atlanta’sfamous Centennial Park. It was a humid Atlantasummer night, and everyone quickly moved to theoutdoor area of the bar to enjoy the weather, buffet,and beverages (including a personal favorite, Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing company).I got the chance to hang out with several of UMB’s professors, and to chat with students and professors from universities around the country throughout the night.Left: Christine Charlip(Director of the ASM Press),and Vanessa Sperandio (Dr.Kaper’s former postdoc, nowa full professor at UTSW),and Dr. KaperRight: Stefano Bertuzzi(CEO of ASM), ChristineCharlip, and Dr. Kaper,
6Page 6MICROSCOOP2017 MMI Student RetreatBy Brandi HobbsOn May 23, 2017, the MMI students gathered at the tranquil home of M&I faculty Dr. AlanSchmaljohn for a day of camaraderie and fellowship. Students met in small groups to discuss howthey can improve upon current program events and student life. Fun was had, food was devoured,and memories were made. The students would like to thank Dr. Schmaljohn and his wife, Amy, fortheir hospitality and generosity in opening their home to us, as well as GPILS and MMI for fundingour retreat!
7MICROSCOOPGraduating StudentsThiagarajan (Raja) Venkataraman, Ph.D.,2017, Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University ofMaryland, Baltimore. Advisor, Matthew B. Frieman, Ph.D.—Currently a Post-doctoral Fellow atJohns Hopkins University.Page 7completing the medical school requirements forher M.D./Ph.D. at the University of MarylandSchool of Medicine.Lisa Leung, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr am inLife Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Beth French, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr amAdvisors, David R. Goodlett, Ph.D. and Robertin Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Im- Ernst, Ph.D.—Currently an Association of Publicmunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Health Laboratories/Centers for Disease ControlAdvisor, Agnes M. Azimzadeh, Ph.D.—Currently and Prevention Post-doctoral Fellow at the Maryan Assistant Professor of Biology at Notre Dame land Department of Health.University of Maryland.Elizabeth (Liz) Weingartner, Ph.D., 2017,Avital (Talie) Shimanovich, Ph.D., 2017, Gr ad- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Molecular Miuate Program in Life Sciences, Molecular Micro- crobiology and Immunology, University of Marybiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, land, Baltimore. Advisor, Amit Golding, M.D.,Baltimore. Advisor, Marcela F. Pasetti, Ph.D.—Ph.D.—Currently an Associate Scientist in TransCurrently a Reviewer at the Food and Drug Adlational Science and Diagnostics at Personal Geministration.nome Diagnostics.Ann Joseph, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr am inLife Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Advisor, Eduardo Davila, Ph.D.—Currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at Weill Cornell School of Medicine with Gregory Sonnenberg, Ph.D.Antoine (Tony) Dara, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduateProgram in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Advisor, Christopher Plowe, M.D.,M.P.H., F.A.S.T.M.H.—Currently at Post-doctoralElizabeth Weingartner with mentor Amit GoldingFellow at the Center of Vaccine Development,Mali.Kelsey Gregg, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr amDevon Allison, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr am in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Imin Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Im- munology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Advisor, Robert Ernst, Ph.D.—Currently a Postmunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Advisor, Mark E. Shirtliff, Ph.D.—Currently com- doctoral Fellow at the Food and Drug Administration with Todd Merkel, Ph.D.pleting the dental school requirements for herD.D.S./Ph.D. at the University of MarylandEric Kong, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr am inSchool of Dentistry.Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Latey Bradford, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr oAdvisor, Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk, Ph.D. - Currentlygram in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiologyand Immunology, University of Maryland, Balti- an Associate Scientist at Personal Genome Diagmore. Advisor, Jacques Ravel, Ph.D.—Currently nostics.
8Page 8Graduating StudentsKevin Chen, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogr am inLife Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Advisor, Hanping Feng, Ph.D.—Currently a Scientist at a small biotech company.Phillip Balzano, Ph.D., 2017, Gr aduate Pr ogram in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiologyand Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Advisor, Eileen M. Barry, Ph.D.—Currentlya Post-doctoral Fellow with Caroline Genco,Ph.D., at Tufts University.Phillip Balzano and mentor Eileen BarryStephanie Lehman, Ph.D., 2018, Gr aduate Pr ogram in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiologyand Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Advisor, Abdu F. Azad, Pharm.D., Ph.D.,M.P.H.—Currently a Post-doctoral Fellow withMatthias Machner, Ph.D., the Eunice KennedyShriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (National Institutes of Health).Stephanie Lehman and mentor Abdu AzadMICROSCOOPLalena (Lanie) Wallace, Ph.D., 2018, Gr aduateProgram in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Advisor, David A. Rasko, Ph.D.—Currently working at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (United States Department of Defense).Molly Hritzo, Ph.D., 2018, Gr aduate Pr ogr amin Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Advisor, Amit Golding, M.D., Ph.D.—Currentlycompleting the medical school requirements forher M.D./Ph.D at the University of MarylandSchool of Medicine.Andrew Clerman, Ph.D., 2018, Gr aduate Pr ogram in Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiologyand Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Advisor, Sergei P. Atamas, M.D., Ph.D.—Currently a Medical Officer in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Rheumatology Products atthe Food and Drug Administration.Mark Guillote, Ph.D., 2018, Gr aduate Pr ogr amin Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore.Advisor, Abdu F. Azad, Pharm.D., Ph.D.—Currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Universityof Maryland Baltimore.MMI Graduates at the 2018 Hooding Ceremony (left toright: Sarah Boudova, Stephanie Lehman, Phillip Balzano, Elizabeth Weingartner, Jeffrey Freiberg)
9MICROSCOOPPage 9M i c ro b i o lo g y a n d I m m u n o lo g y L a u re l sCourtney Matson from Nevil Singh’s lab won the Outstanding Presentation Award for scoring highest in herposter session at the 2018 Graduate Research Conference atUMB in May, 2018. She won 50. Courtney also won anAAI (American Association of Immunologist) Trainee Abstract Award for being selected to give a talk at the 2018AAI Conference in Austin, Texas which provides traineeswith up to 750 in travel expenses.MMI StudentsCourtney Matson(left) and ErinMcClure (right) atthe Graduate Research ConferenceAwards Ceremonyat UMB.Erin McClure from Joao Pedra’s lab won both the Outstanding Presentation Award for her oral talk and the Office of Technology Transfer Award at the 2018 Graduate Research Conference. Erin also submitted an F31Grant Proposal which has been funded by the NIAID/NIH from February 2018 through February 2020.Jeremy Ardanuy from Nick Carbonetti’s lab submitted an abstract and presented a poster at the MarylandBranch ASM (American Society for Microbiology) for which he won the 2nd place J. Howard Brown awardand 100. Jeremy also won a 500 Travel Grant to attend the national ASM Conference in Atlanta, Georgia inJune. Jeremy also submitted an individual F31 Grant Proposal titled Lung Inflammation and Type I Interferonsin Bordetella pertussis Infection which has been successfully funded by the NIH September 2018 through September 2020.Jeffrey Freiberg of Mark Shirtliff’s lab was the recipient of the 2017Elaine Miye Otani Memorial Award. This award is given to the graduatestudent in GPILS of outstanding character who demonstrates superior academic performance and who shows outstanding promise as an independent investigator.Steven Dudics from Kamal Moudgil’s lab received a Young InvestigatorAward from the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine andHealth conference in recognition of innovative and impactful integrativemedicine and health work conducted by promising young investigators.Jeffrey Freiberg (middle) and mentor He also won a prize of 500. Steven was also awarded funding by theMark Shirtliff (right) at the Otani Me- NIH for his F31 Grant titled, “MicroRNAs as biomarkers and targets ofmorial Award Ceremony.herbal CAM in autoimmune arthritis,” which funds him from June 2017through June 2019.Susannah Shissler from Tonya Webb’s lab was awarded the AAI(American Association of Immunologists) Young InvestigatorAward for being selected to give a talk at the CD1-MR1 Conference in November 2017 in Napa Valley, California. The awardincluded a 150 prize.Kenneth Rosenberg of Nevil Singh’s lab also won an AAI(American Association of Immunologist) Trainee Abstract Awardfor being selected to give a talk at the 2018 AAI Conference inAustin, Texas which provides trainees with up to 750 in travelexpenses.Susannah Schissler pictured with Luc Teyton (left) and Jenny Gumperz (right) at theCD1-MR1 Conference Awards.
10Page 10MICROSCOOPM i c ro b i o lo g y a n d I m m u n o lo g y L a u re l sDr. Patrik Bavoil was elected a trustee of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies fromJanuary 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020.Dr. Matthew Frieman was awarded three new contracts, two with Emergent Biosolutions for "Yeastbased Screening Platform to Identify Anti-Viral Compounds and Novel Targets for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Human Norovirus (NV)” and "Fluoroquinolone Testing against EmergingCoronaviruses”. The third is with Regeneron Inc for "Evaluation of Anti-MERS Spike Monoclonal inMERS-CoV Model”.Dr. Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk received an NIAID/NIH R01 ward for “C. albicans and S. aureus CatheterInfections: Clinical Implications and Therapy”. (2017) Baltimore, MD, USA.Drs. Stefanie Vogel and Katarina Richards were granted a patent for “Compositions and VaccinesComprising Vesicles and Methods of Using the Same” by the US Patent and Trademark Office(2018) Baltimore, MD, USA (US Patent Number 10,017,545)Dr. Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk was promoted to full Professor effective July 1, 2018 in the University ofMaryland School of Dentistry (primary appointment) and the departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, School of Medicine (secondary appointments).Post-doctoral Fellow Dr. Taissa Vila in Dr. Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk’s lab was awarded two travelawards, one for the American Society for Microbiology Conference on Candida and Candidiasis(2018), Rhode Island, USA, and one for the International Society of Human and Animal Mycology(2018), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.Post-doctoral Fellow Dr. Kirsten Kulcsar in Dr. Matthew Frieman’s lab was awarded an F32 for hergrant titled "The role of diabetes in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus pathogenesis”.
11MICROSCOOPPage 11Our very own Bob Ernst was awarded the 2017 University of MarylandSchool Of Medicine’s Researcher of the Year award! The Researcher of theYear award highlights the work of a faculty member who exhibits excellence in truly innovative research. He gave a fascinating lecture titled“Structure Matters – Making Bacterial Molecules Work for Us.” Bob andcolleagues are engineering rationally designed mimetics based on bacterialsurface molecules that will inhibit the body's immune response to sepsis.He has secured ongoing funding from the National Institutes of Health(NIH), MedImmune, University of Maryland Ventures Seed Grant Funding,and the state of M
Robert Haupt I am from Paso Robles, CA, moved to Oklahoma to serve in the Air Force . Barry Lab standing with the win-ning Elf Contest entry. Labs were to build an elf out of lab supplies. . pleting the dental school requirements for her D.D.S.
