B.S., Chemistry, 2010, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Research: Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of tularemia. F. tularensis is classified as a category A select agent by the CDC, implicated as a potential bio-terrorism threat capable of causing 30-60% mortality in untreated individuals. F. tularensis infection induces increased synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from macrophages. PGE2 synthesis during tularemia inhibits the development of beneficial T-cell responses. Phospholipases are enzymes that cleave lipids and phospholipids, releasing free lipid and secondary messengers that initiate signal transduction events. I am currently investigating the molecular mechanisms by which phospholipases enable F. tularensis-induced PGE2 production in macrophages.