PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
P. Scott Hefty, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences (2006-current)
Director and PI, Center for Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease (CoBRE)
Co-Director, Undergraduate Biology
http://molecularbiosciences
.ku.edu/p-scott-hefty
B.A. in Microbiology (minor in Chemistry) at the University of Oklahoma (1994)
M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (1998 – Mentor; Dr. Ronald Kennedy)
Thesis project – Immune responses to Hepatitis viruses
Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2001 – Mentor; Dr. Darrin Akins)
Dissertation project – Role and function of cp32 encoded lipoproteins in the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi
Post-doctoral studies at University of California, Berkeley (2002-06 – Mentor; Richard Stephens)
Mechanisms of gene regulation in Chlamydia
DOCTORAL CANDIDATES
Scott LaBrie
B.S. in Environmental Science – Haskell Indian Nations University
Ph.D. in Microbiology, Candidate
Srishti Baid
B.S. in Microbiology, University of Calcutta
M.S. in Medical Biotechnology, Manipal University
Ph.D. Candidate, Microbiology
Lexie Cutter
B.S. in Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Kansas City
Ph.D. Candidate, Microbiology
Dynamic Aspects of Chemical Biology, Pre-doctoral Fellowship
Lauren Atkinson
B.S. in Biology, Eastern Connecticut State University
Ph.D. Aspirant, Microbiology
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
We need YOU! Looking for intelligent persons who are enthusiastic, engaged, driven, …you get the picture.
LAB ALUMNI
Ph.D. in Microbiology (2020) – Genetic correlates encoded by Chlamydia that are associated with host specificity – Chimeras in mice!
Post-doctoral scientist at Rocky Mountain Lab (NIH)
Ph.D. in Microbiology (2020) – Sigma 54 regulon! and RsbU ligand studies
Research Scientist, Merck
M.S. in Microbiology (2019) – Guilt by association – bacterial two-hybrid networks
Proficiency Testing Coordinator, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Ph.D. in Microbiology (2017) – Tn mutants in mice!
Research Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University
Greg Peterson, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral scientist in Hefty Lab 2015-16 – Early validation of Tn mutagenesis in Chlamydia
University Biosafety Officer, Kansas State University
Jason Wickstrum, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral scientist in Hefty Lab 2011-15 – Developed controlled gene expression system for Chlamydia and overall awesome geneticist
Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan
Michael L. Barta, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral scientist in Hefty Lab 2012-15 – Stellar structural biologist and overall Chlamydia-ologist
Manager
Catalent Pharma Solutions Kansas City, Missouri
Katie Summers, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral scientist in Hefty Lab 2013-15 – Established mouse Ct infection model!
Research Microbiologist USDA (Beltsville MD)
Lindsay Rutt, M.S.
Technician in Hefty Lab 2010-13 – Got the first glowing green Chlamydia! (transformation)
Research Lead Specialist University of Maryland, Baltimore
M.S. in Microbiology (2014) – Chemical screens against Chlamydia
Quality Assurance Manager, Thermo-Fisher Scientific
M.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (2013)
Sales Lead, CitiusTech
Mumbai, India
Ph.D. in Biochemistry (2013) –
RodZ localized to septal division plane
Senior Lecturer
Louisiana Tech University
Ph.D. in Microbiology (2013) – Microbiocides for Chlamydia
Director of International Sales, Synthego Sales
Ph.D. in Biochemistry (2011) –
1st graduate student!! – ChxR structure and function analyses
Scientific Associate Director, Vaccine Stabilization Center at the University of Kansas
