Amornrat Aroonnual  aaroonnu@purdue.edu

Biography

I graduated B.S. and Ph.D. from Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand.  I came to United Stated in 2007 as a Postdoctoral Research Associated in this lab.

Research Projects

My research are focused on the detection of pathogenic bacteria from food samples by light scatterometer, BARDOT (BActerial Rapid Detection using Optical light scattering) and studied on cytotoxic potential of Bacillus cereus and their toxins.

Seung-Ho Ohk

sohk@purdue.edu

Biography

I am Seung-Ho Ohk from Korea. I joined Dr. Bhunia’s lab at Aug of 2007 as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. I received my B.S. and M.S. from Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, and PhD from Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Department of Food and Biotechnology, Yonsei University.

Research Projects

My projects are mainly focused on the detection of food-borne pathogenic bacteria with optical scattering and protein microarray system using species specific antibodies. Along with these, I am also trying to clarify physiological role of extracellular carbohydrates in pathogenesis of the pathogenic bacteria

Krishna Mishra  kmishra@purdue.edu

Biography

I am Krishna Mishra from India. I did my Ph D from Delhi University (India) in Genetics. Before coming to United States I taught Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology courses at Jawahar Lal Nehru University under M.Sc Biotechnology teaching program. After completing two postdoctoral appointments at Purdue University I teach Microbiology at Ivy Tech State College to students majoring in Nursing and other health sciences disciplines while maintaining half time research appointment in Dr. Bhunia’s Laboratory

Research Projects

Gene expression and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. Immunology and microbial pathogenecity. Noncoding RNA and Gene silencing. cis and trans regulatory elements. Gene cloning, gene knockout constructs, generation of in frame deletion mutants, immunology and Mice model.

Sarima Medina

(M.S student)

smedinam@purdue.edu

Biography

I am from the beautiful Island of Puerto Rico.  I received my BS in Biology/Microbiology from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German Campus.  I did a post-baccalaureate at the Malaria Vaccine Development Branch (MVDB/NIAID/NIH) in Maryland and then join Dr. Bhunia’s Lab.

Research Projects

I am currently working on the characterization of Listeria Adhesion Protein (LAP) secretion mechanism and the role of LAP in Listeria monocytogenes pathogenesis under aerobic vs. anaerobic conditions.

Kristin Burkholder

(Ph. D candidate)

kburkhol@purdue.edu

Biography

I am from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and obtained a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech and an M.S. in Animal Science (emphasis on intestinal microbiology) from Purdue.  Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in the Bhunia lab, with a research focus on pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes during the intestinal phase of infection.

Research Projects

My research involves understanding the role of Listeria adhesion protein (LAP) in promoting infection.  I study how the interaction of LAP with its human epithelial receptor, Hsp60, promotes adhesion of L. monocytogenes to the intestinal epithelium and how this binding may contribute to systemic infection.   Additional projects focus on the regulation of LAP expression and secretion in response to the host gastrointestinal environment.  

Hyochin Kim

(Ph. D student)

kim399@purdue.edu

Biography

B.S. University of Wisconsin, Food Science
M.S. Purdue University, Food Science

Research Projects

I investigate mammalian mechanisms that are induced by Listeria adhesion protein (LAP)
1. Translation mechanism of Listeria monocytogenes in tight junction
2. inflammatory response due to LAP

Ok Kyung Koo

(Ph. D student)

okoo@purdue.edu

Biography

I’m Ok Kyung Koo from Korea. I completed my Bachelors and Masters Degree in Food Science at Seoul National University. My Master thesis was to construct Food Grade Vector for Lactobacillus casei and study about bifunctional alcohol/acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in Leuconostoc mesenteroides. I joined Dr. Bhunia’s lab in Food Microbiology at Purdue University from 2007 for my Ph. D.

Research Projects

Based on the specific interaction between Listeria Adhesion Protein and Hsp60, my research is focus on two targets. The first part is to capture pathogenic Listeria by Hsp60 as a specific bioreceptor on biosensor platforms. The second topic is to study the mechanism of prevention of listeria infection by lactic acid bacteria.

Briana Franz

(Ph. D. student)

bfranz@purdue.edu

Biography

I received my BS in Biology in 2007 from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana.  I was then admitted into Purdue University’s Interdisciplinary Life Science Graduate Program (PULSe) as a Lynn Fellow.  I have just recently procured a permanent position in Dr. Arun Bhunia’s lab, where I will be supported for three years by a fellowship provided on behalf of the College of Agriculture as leveraging to match the USDA National Needs Graduate Fellowship in Food Biosecurity.

Research Projects

My research focuses on development of novel cell-based biosensor approaches to rapidly detect pathogens and toxins of relevance to food biosecurity.  Currently, I am in the process of developing a T lymphocyte-based biosensor assay for detection of specific pathogens and/or toxins, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).

Amanda Bettasso

(M. S. student)

abettass@purdue.edu

Biography

I am from the wonderful town of Joplin, Missouri. I received my B.S. in food science from the University of Arkansas, GO HOGS! I am currently working on my master’s degree in food science with Dr. Bhunia. I am focusing on food microbiology and working with light scattering technology for pathogen detection.

Research Projects

I am investigating the use of optical light scattering technology for detection of foodborne pathogens. I am specifically focusing on yeasts, molds, and mutant strains of bacteria.

Balamurugan Jagadeesan

(Ph. D candidate)

bala@purdue.edu

Biography

I am from Pondicherry, India. I received my Bachelor’s in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc &A.H.,) from Pondicherry University and Master’s in Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc) from Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India. I joined Dr.Bhunia’s group in Fall 2004 for my PhD degree.

Research Projects

I am investigating the interaction between Listeria adhesion protein and its cognate eukaryotic receptor Hsp60 using biosensor tools. This study will help to determine the potential of LAP as a target for Listeria capture and detection. Also, the studies will help to better understand the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes , specifically during the intestinal phase of infection.