Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Scholar in Probiotics Research

Hometown:  Paris, France

Past Education:  BS Biological Sciences, Rene Descartes University, Paris, France; MS Biological Engineering, University of Technology in Compiegne, France; MS Food Science, NC State University; PhD Functional Genomics, NC State University; MBA, Executive Business Administration, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Rodolphe has worked on beneficial microbes, focusing on the occurrence and diversity of lactic acid bacteria in fermented foods and as probiotics. Using functional genomics, he has focused on uncovering the genetic basis for health-promoting traits, including the ability to uptake and catabolize non-digestible carbohydrates. He spent 9 years at Danisco-DuPont, characterizing probiotics and starter cultures, and established the functional role of CRISPR-Cas, as adaptive immune systems in bacteria. He has focused on establishing the molecular basis for their mechanism of action, as well as developing and applying CRISPR-based technologies for genotyping, building immunity and genome editing.

Hometown:  Bronx, NY

Past Education:  BS Biology, City College of NY;  MS Microbiology  University of Tennessee

Rosemary's background includes teaching biology, microbiology, microbial physiology, with experience in clinical microbiology; research on Pseudomonas physiology, vegetable fermentation microbiology, dairy bacteriophages, protein biochemistry and cell culture. Her current research includes: isolation, identification and characterization of probiotic strains. She screens for beneficial probiotic properties which involves metabolite and antimicrobial bacteriocin assays, studying microbe interaction with mammalian cell culture enterocytes, testing for immunomodulation potential and identifying phenotypes and genotypes for persistence in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as characterizing native CRISPR systems in lactobacilli.

Hometown:  Wicklow, Ireland

Past Education:  BA (Mod) Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin Ireland; PhD Microbiology National University of Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland

Sarah's graduate research concerned the study of bacteriophage and lysins as potential anti-microbial agents against Staphylococcus aureus. Sarah moved to the United States from Ireland after obtaining her Ph.D and joined the laboratory of Dr. Todd R. Klaenhammer as a postdoctoral research associate where she researched functional genomics of lactic acid bacteria and probiotic-host interactions. Currently as a senior research scientist, she continues research on functional genomics, probiotic-host interactions, developing the murine research platform, and is the lead scientist for the vaccine program which focuses on mucosal vaccine delivery systems using lactic acid bacteria.  Her research also involves methods to improve on existing genetic systems and to identify new antigen and therapeutic targets. Sarah provides research assistance and supervision to staff, postdoctoral researchers and graduate and international visiting students across various research topics.  

Hometown:  Buffalo, New York

Past Education: Microbiology & Immunology BS, University of Rochester; Microbiology & Immunology PhD, University of Michigan

After his PhD, Matthew worked as a postdoctoral fellow studying Clostridium sp. and bile salt hydrolases. He joined the Barrangou Lab in 2021 as a staff scientist. Matthew is interested in understanding how CRISPR-Cas can be used to promote bacterial engraftment and ameliorate disease, and how bile acid altering enzymes can be used to manipulate the bile acid pool, microbiota, and host physiology. Outside of the lab he loves cooking and weightlifting.

Hometown: Greensboro, NC

Past Education: BS Computer Information Systems, Appalachian State University

Matthew completed a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems from Appalachian State University. He spent many years as a software engineer in the healthcare industry before deciding to apply his background to the field of genomics. Matt is currently using bioinformatics, functional genomics, and molecular biology to create solutions for genomic problems. His research interests include CRISPR-Cas systems, genome assembly, phage genomics, and infectious disease.

Hometown:  Qingdao, China

Past Education:  BS Food Science, University of Wisconsin- Madison; MS Food Science, North Carolina State University

Echo conducted undergraduate research at University of Wisconsin - Madison on probiotic efficacy in human health. She recently joined the CRISPR lab in fall 2017 to study LAB related to vaginal health and CRISPR application on improving probiotic efficacy. She is interested in the food industry and had two internships with Sargento and J.M. Smucker. She is hoping to utilize her skills and knowledge to produce better probiotic products to benefit human health in the future.

Hometown: Durham, North Carolina

Past Education: BS Genetics, North Carolina State University

Avery completed a Bachelor’s in Genetics with a minor in Biotechnology at North Carolina State University. As an undergraduate, he conducted research on developing a transient CRISPR-Cas9 expression system for genome editing in cassava. He then transitioned to industry and worked as a scientist generating cell-based assays for compound toxicity testing. Avery joined the CRISPR Lab in March, 2019, and his research currently involves exploring CRISPR system functionality within Lactobacillus.

Hometown:  Fort Pierce, FL

Past Education:  BS Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida

Kalani completed a Bachelor’s in Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. As an undergraduate, she studied the effect of the herbicide Paraquat on the gut microbiome in Drosophila melanogaster. She transitioned into industry by working as a microbiologist screening foods for pathogens that cause food-borne illness. Kalani joined the lab in July 2021, and is currently interested in probiotic bacteria, CRISPR-Cas systems, bacteriophage, and the gut microbiome.

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Kendall is working to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry. She joined the lab in December 2021 as a student lab helper.

Hometown: Asheville, NC

Daniel is studying Biomolecular Engineering. He is working with the CRISPR lab to make the protocols more up-to-date and materials easier to obtain.