Lab Director:
Erik Zinser
Associate Professor
Biography: I began my fascination with microbes at Kenyon College, working with Joan Slonczewski on acid and base survival of bacteria. I performed my PhD dissertation with Roberto Kolter at Harvard Medical School, where I learned the joys of working E. coli and the various ways to survive Boston winters. For my postdoctoral work I switched gears to work on marine photosynthetic bacteria with Penny Chisholm at MIT, and learned exactly how seasick a human can get. In 2005, I joined the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee.
Office: SERF 640
Phone: 865-974-9283
Email: ezinser@utk.edu
Graduate Students:
Liz Glasgo
PhD Student
Research Areas: Experimental evolution, ecology
Biography: I graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2016. I joined the Zinser lab in the fall of 2018. My research interests include microbial ecology and experimental evolution.
Research: Genomic streamlining is thought to confer a competitive fitness advantage in nutrient limited environments. Our lab studies Prochlorococcus, an oligotrophic marine cyanobacteria, which has undergone genomic reduction leading to its loss in oxidative stress response. The loss of this function is mitigated by relying on the surrounding microbial community for protection from oxidative stress while Prochlorococcus can save on resources. Using an experimental evolution system, we want to study the selective advantages of genome reduction under similar nutrient limitations.
Education: 2016 – B.S. Microbiology, Bowling Green State University
Publications: Google Scholar
Email: eglasgo@vols.utk.edu
Emily Bowden
PhD Student
Research Areas: Prochlorococcus ecology and physiology, oxidative stress, microbial interactions
Biography: I grew up in San Diego, CA before attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where I earned my B.S of Microbiology in 2021. During my time as an undergraduate, I worked in the Fidopiastis lab studying nuclease regulation in Vibrio fischeri biofilms. In the summer of my junior year, I had the opportunity to intern at the Joint BioEnergy Institute in Emeryville, CA working on a bioengineering project focused on the bacterial production of indigoidine. In the summer of 2021, I moved to Knoxville to begin my PhD program. Outside of lab, I enjoy volunteering in Knoxville classrooms where I help K-12 students conduct water quality experiments on their local streams. I also enjoy watching baseball (go Padres!), playing soccer, and hiking.
Research: My research focuses on studying the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus and its interactions with the microbial community. I am especially interested in how oxidative stress and nutrient limitation impact Prochlorococcus physiology and ecology. To conduct this research, I have also worked to develop new methods to culture marine bacteria. In the fall of 2023, I had the opportunity to conduct field work in the North Pacific Ocean at Station ALOHA, where I performed experiments analyzing hydrogen peroxide degradation rates of microbial communities in situ.
Education: 2021 – B.S. Microbiology, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Publications: Google Scholar
Email: ebowden2@vols.utk.edu
Kennedi Hambrick
PhD Student
Research Areas: Host-virus interactions, mathematical modeling
Biography: I obtained my B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology from the University of Tennessee in 2022. During this time I had the opportunity to work in the Zinser lab as an undergraduate research assistant. In Fall 2022, I joined the Zinser lab as a doctoral student. My interests outside of the lab include going on adventures with my puppies and exploring new places!
Research: In the Zinser lab, my research focuses on the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to answer questions related to host-phage interactions, genetic defense mechanisms, and characterization of gene function. To achieve this, I use traditional wet lab approaches such as genetic engineering, culturing, physiological measurements, and biochemical measurements in combination with computational analysis through mathematical modeling. Recent work has involved understanding the factors that influence Microcystis host-phage dynamics under varying ecologically relevant conditions. Additionally, my recent work has looked into characterization of gene function through developing novel genetic techniques. Overall, my research aims to link experimental data and mathematical modeling with the aim to advance the fields of microbial genetics, physiology, and freshwater ecology.
Education: 2022 – B.S. Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Publications: ORCiD
Email: khambri3@vols.utk.edu
Luke Qualey
PhD Student
Research Areas: Evolutionary microbiology, genetic adaptability, synthetic biology
Biography: I am originally from Chattanooga, TN and I moved to Knoxville in 2023. I first became interested in microbiology during an undergraduate biochemistry course where we talked about genetically manipulating bacteria to produce useful secondary metabolites. My interests outside of the lab include outdoor activities like paragliding, backpacking, and going to vols football games. Go vols!
Research: My work in the Zinser lab investigates the fascinating, fast growing bacterium Vibrio natriegens. At this time, I am interested in how V. natriegens evolves under different stress conditions and how these subsequent mutations allow for phenotypes with increased relative fitness. This is carried out by aging strains in the stressful conditions of long-term stationary phase, then subjecting them to competition in order to demonstrate new phenotypes. This research uses GASP (growth advantage in stationary phase) in order to better understand V. natriegens genetic adaptability. Other projects of interest include using genetic engineering to synthesize industrially relevant compounds and documenting the genetic diversity of V. natriegens in its natural, salty environment.
Education: 2023 – B.S., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Publications: Google Scholar
Email: vfk493@vols.utk.edu
Undergraduate Assistants
Reeyan Ahmed
Undergraduate Student
Biography: I grew up in Murfreesboro prior to moving to Knoxville to attend college. I am currently pursing my bachelors in biology, with a concentration in microbiology. I joined the Zinser Lab in March of 2024 as an undergraduate research assistant on Kennedi Hambrick’s project. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Knoxville with my friends, camping, and spending time outdoors. My research involves studying the interaction between Microcystis aeruginosa, a freshwater cyanobacterium, and its cyanophage. Additional research includes studying specific strains of Microcystis, which produces microcystin, a toxin which has the ability to contaminate freshwater sources and cause long term health issues.
Chrystel Nguyen
Post-Baccalaureate Lab Assistant
Biography: Hello! I’m from Memphis, TN. I just graduated from UTK this past Spring of 2024 as a Pre-Dental student with a Microbiology major and Psychology minor (woot woot!). I joined this lab with Emily as my mentor during the Fall of 2023. Outside of the lab, I enjoy painting, eating out with my friends, and discovering new music/films. My research has centered around Prochlorococcus and its growth dynamics with helper bacteria Alteromonas macleodii and Rhodospirillaceae. We’ve been interested in how the different community members behave under various levels of HOOH exposure. We’ve also tested these bacteria in various conditions to observe changes in growth dynamics in hopes of understanding more about their physiology by using nitrogen-limiting conditions.
Alumni
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Person |
Position |
Year |
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Brent Fagg |
Undergraduate |
2005-6 |
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Robin Kirkegaard |
Technician |
2005-9 |
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Ashley Anderson |
Undergraduate |
2005 |
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Jeff Morris |
PhD Candidate |
2006-10 |
|
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Jeremy Chandler |
Undergrad / PhD Candidate |
2006-14 |
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Marty Szul |
Undergrad / PhD Candidate |
2007-15 |
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Asif Jawaid |
Undergraduate |
2007-8 |
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Michael Floyd |
Undergraduate |
2008 |
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Joshua Rucker |
Undergraduate |
2008 |
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Paul Cupp |
Undergraduate |
2008 |
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Elizabeth Coultas |
Undergraduate |
2009-10 |
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Lydia Siebert |
Undergraduate |
2009-11 |
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Shayna Simmons |
Undergraduate |
2009 |
|
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Lanying Ma |
PhD Candidate |
2009 |
|
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Mark Mowbray |
Undergraduate |
2010-15 |
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Jackson Gainer |
Undergrad / PhD Candidate |
2010-18 |
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Lucas Buchanan |
Undergraduate |
2012-13 |
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Ibrehim Al-Rubaii |
Undergraduate |
2012-13 |
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Chris Roberts |
Undergraduate |
2012-13 |
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Emily Avery |
Undergraduate |
2012 |
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Megan Silbaugh |
PhD Candidate |
2012-7 |
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Tristan Jordan |
Undergrad (NSF REU: USC) |
2014 |
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Daniel Sakaan |
Undergraduate |
2014 |
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Jordan Lang |
Undergraduate |
2014 |
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Chris DeFlorio |
Undergrad (NSF REU: Hofstra) |
2016 |
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Kathlyn Collins |
Undergraduate |
2016 |
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Rebekah Conner |
Undergraduate |
2017-18 |
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Vasily Carniello |
Undergraduate |
2017-18 |
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Abigail Jarratt |
Undergraduate |
2015-2018 |
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Nathan Hadland |
Undergrad (NSF REU: USF) |
2017 |
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Shawn Quinn |
Undergraduate |
2018 |
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Jeremy Westbrook |
Undergraduate |
2018-2019 |
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Shawn Quinn |
Undergraduate |
2018 |
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Minh Nguyen |
Undergraduate |
2018-2020 |
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Gus Collars |
Undergrad(NSF REU: Wofford) |
2019 |
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Ryan McLendon |
Undergraduate |
2019-2020 |
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Jared Clance |
Undergraduate |
2019-2020 |
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Alex Demetros |
Undergraduate |
2019-2021 |
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Matthew Jung |
Undergraduate |
2020-2022 |
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Sarah Cathey |
Undergraduate |
2020-2021 |
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Mohammed Abuirqeba |
Undergraduate |
2021-2022 |
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Leila Awasthi | Undergrad (NSF REU, Carnegie Mellon) | 2023 |
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Gabriel Heuer | Undergrad (NSF REU, Casper College) | 2022 |
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Reuben Margulies | Undergraduate | 2022 |
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Katie Justis | Undergraduate | 2022-2023 |