Center for Microbial Physiology and Ecology
Center Director: Todd R. Callaway
Past Director: Mark A Harrison
Center Focus and Objectives
The focus of the Center for Microbial Physiology and Ecology is to identify scientists with similar interests and encourage collaboration among academic and USDA scientists studying factors affecting growth, survival, occurrence, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and the genetic potential to adapt and infect human populations of foodborne agents, as well as the isolation and identification of foodborne pathogens. Epidemiological association and investigation using molecular methods are utilized from farm to table.
Center Activities and Projects
Building upon results obtained in the national assessment of L. monocytogenes, Center projects have focused on developing a better understanding of mechanisms involved in foodborne illness.
Impact Statement
NAFSS scientists have contributed to a greater understanding of the genetic components of biofilm formation in the recurrence of L. monocytogenes in foodborne illness outbreaks.
Center Alliance Members
Auburn University
| Don Conner | Professor, Department of Poultry Science |
| Jong Wook Hong | Assistant Professor of Materials Engineering |
| Kenneth S Macklin | Assistant Professor |
| Aleksandr Simonian | Associate Professor |
Iowa State University
| Kyoung-Jin Yoon | Professor of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine |
Kansas State University
| H. Morgan Scott | Professor, Epidemiology |
Michigan State University
| Elliot T. Ryser | Professor |
Mississippi State University
| Hart Bailey | Assistant Professor, CVM Pathobiology/Population Med Department |
| Barakat S. M. Mahmoud | Assistant Professor of Food Safety/Microbiology |
| Rama Nannapaneni | Asstistant Professor, Immunology & Molecular Food Microbiology |
Purdue University
| Tsang Long Lin | Associate Professor |
| Ching Ching Wu | Professor |
Texas A&M University
| Todd R. Callaway | Research Microbiologist |
| Roger B. Harvey | Veterinary Medical Officer |
University of Arkansas
| Dan Donoghue | Assistant Professor, Department of Poultry Science |
| Billy Hargis | Professor |
| Mike Johnson | Professor, Food Science |
| Young Min Kwon | Assistant Professor |
| Steven Ricke | Professor and Donald "Buddy" Wray Chair in Food Safety |
University of California-Davis
| Linda J Harris | Department of Food Science |
| Trevor V Suslow | Department of Plant Sciences |
University of Florida
| Michelle D Danyluk | Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist Food Science & Human Nutrition |
University of Georgia
| Mark A Harrison | Professor and Graduate Coordinator |
University of Tennessee
| Ann Draughon | Professor and Co-Director, Food Safety Center of Excellence |
| David A. Golden | Associate Professor, Food Microbiology |
| Stephen P. Oliver |
Virginia Tech University
| Monica Ponder | Assistant Professor |