My interests lie in understanding how Vibrio fischeri recognizes and responds to its environment to produce coherent biofilms with complex architecture, and then leave from them. At the moment, I am particularly interested in understanding how calcium signals for biofilm development.

My research interests lie in how biofilm formation is controlled in Vibrio fischeri. Specifically, I study how pABA/calcium induces biofilm formation via the positive symbiosis polysaccharide (Syp)-regulator RscS. Besides science, I enjoy horror films and going to punk concerts!

I'm interested in the process of bacterial dispersal, how bacteria leave biofilms, because this is the least understood step in the biofilm lifecycle. Currently, I work with a sensor kinase that is potentially important in the dispersal process. To investigate the role of the sensor kinase, I utilize genetic approaches such as making mutations, characterizing suppressors, and genetic tools such as gene fusions.

As a member of the Visick lab, I work on the Vibrio fischeri-squid symbiosis. I am specifically interested in the proteins LitR and VF_A1016 and their roles in biofilm formation and dispersal during the initial colonization process of V. fischeri within the squid. Outside of research, my interests include reading fantastical stories, playing video games, and eating my favorite foods.

Natasha Peterson

MS degree awarded in 2022

She studied how NagC affects biofilm formation and colonization in Vibrio fischeri.

Katia Semenchuk

MS degree awarded in 2022

She worked on optimizing conditions for induction of biofilm formation by high levels of calcium. She found that the specific conditions vary by assay, with those forming in liquid (static or shaking) differing from those that form on solid agar.

Prerana Shrestha

Research associate

She worked on the roles of different enzymes that control the levels of the second messenger cyclic-di-GMP on motility of Vibrio fischeri. V. fischeri encodes 50 such enzymes! She is from Kathmandu, Nepal.