Principle Investigators

Dr. George E. Pierce • Dr. Sidney A. Crow Jr.

Ph.D. Students

 • Brianna (Galbreath) Chilton

Volunteer Students

 

 

Former Postdoctorals and Alumni

PostdoctoralsDoctor of PhilosophyMaster of ScienceBachelor of Science

Principle Investigators

Dr. George E. Pierce • Dr. Sidney A. Crow Jr.

Dr. George E. Pierce

Dr. George E. Pierce

Professor of Biology
gpierce@gsu.edu



Faculty Profile

Dr. Sidney A. Crow Jr.

Dr. Sidney A. Crow Jr.

Professor of Biology
scrow@gsu.edu

Faculty Profile

Ph.D. Students

Brianna (Galbreath) Chilton 

Brianna (Galbreath) Chilton

Brianna (Galbreath) Chilton

Ph.D. Candidate
bgalbreath1@student.gsu.edu

Brie graduated with her Bachelor of Science in wildlife and fisheries biology from The University of Georgia. In her work researching wildlife and zoonotic diseases, she discovered the microscopic world of organisms known as microbiology. She completed her Masters of Science in applied and environmental microbiology from Georgia State University in December 2017 and was fortunate to earn a Ph.D. position upon completion. Her research in lab deals with evaluating the stability and activity of enzymes from Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253 with targeted uses for the bioconversion of acrylonitrile to bioacrylamide and for the novel therapeutic treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Outside of the lab, Brie is involved in the fermentation of beer and bread, wildlife conservation, and STEM education outreach focused on K-12 grades. Her hobbies include various arts, traveling, kayaking, and sailing with her husband and dog. You can follow her science on Instagram and Twitter at MicroBrieology.

Research Focus:
Biotransformation, Immobilization, Asparaginase

Recent Conferences:
2019: SIMB – Symposium of Bioconversion of Chemical and Fuels (Poster)
2018: ASM Microbe Conference (Poster)
2018: GSU School of Biology Retreat (Poster)
2018: SIMB Conference (Poster)
2018: GeorgiaBio Innovation Summit (Poster)

Recent Awards:
2019: Diversity Travel Award – SBFC – SIMB
2018: ScienceATL Science Communication Fellowship
2017: Antony Shuker Poster Award – GeorgiaBio Innovation Summit
2017: Outstanding Teaching Award (BIOL 3850)

News and Achievements

Marilyn Millett

Marilyn Millett

Master Student
mmillett1@student.gsu.edu

Marilyn is currently investigating the effects of metal co-factors on enzymatic activity in Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253 via batch-fed fermentation. Prior to joining the lab, she was enrolled in a CURE lab here at Georgia State where she studied the synergistic effects of Zingiber officinale (commonly known as ginger) on the antibiotic sensitivity of soil-dwelling microorganisms. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Psychology with minors in Classics and Biochemistry from The University of Arizona, with the other in Biology from Georgia State.

Outside of the lab, Marilyn enjoys interacting with undergraduate students as a biology tutor/TA and driving her Jeep Wrangler with her Shar Pei/Dalmatian mix, Flapper. After obtaining her master’s, she hopes to do more research in microbial ecology and eventually earn a PhD.

Research Focus:
Batch-Fed Fermentation, Enzymatic Induction

Paul Amos

Paul Amos

Master Student
pamos3@student.gsu.edu

The current asparaginase-based treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in juveniles is isolated from recombinant Gram-negative E. coli expression. Endotoxin removal from products produced by Gram-negative organisms present challenges in proteins used in medical treatment and are required to meet FDA standards.

Paul works on producing endotoxin-free asparaginase from Rhodococcus rhodocrous strain DAP 96253, a Gram-positive soil-based organism, which was shown to produce nitrile hydratase with asparaginase activity when induced.

Research Focus:
Asparaginase, Nitrile Hydratase

Fortino Pineda Veloz

Fortino Pineda Veloz

Master Student
fpineda2@student.gsu.edu

Fortino conducts molecular studies on Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253 relating to the nitrile hydratase enzyme. He employs techniques including DNA extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass spectroscopy in his studies. Upon characterization of nitrile hydratase, his focus is to identify molecular factors that may improve its catalytic efficiency.

Fortino also conducts external independent research in bioinformatics. His project analyzes biomarkers to assess the microbial condition of Jamaica Bay, NY using the QIIME2 pipeline. He hopes his prospective career will use biological data science to identify issues to which his molecular approaches may solve.

Research Focus:
Nitrile Hydratase, MALDI-TOF, Molecular Biology

Arthur Dasouza, Jr.

Arthur Dasouza, Jr.

Master Student
adasouza1@student.gsu.edu

Arthur graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Georgia State University. Before beginning his master’s degree, he spent time working in the food science industry where he developed his love for microbiology. Arthur’s research focuses on the contact independent effects of R. rhodochrous DAP 96253 on the inhibition of fungal growth on produce.

Outside of the lab Arthur enjoys producing music, painting, and writing poetry.

Research Focus:
Delayed Fruit Ripening, Antifungal

Parker Lowe

Parker Lowe

Master Student
plowe6@student.gsu.edu

 

Parker received his bachelor of science degree from Clemson University where he studied genetics. Parker did research in the senescence of maize and the genes that contribute to pre-senescence.

 

Parker is now studying the activity of asparaginase in Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253, and the effectiveness of the asparaginase derived from Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253 on leukemia cell lines.

 

Research Focus:
Asparaginase, Genetics

Volunteer Students

 

Former Postdoctorals

Dr. Chris Cornelison

Research Scientist, Postdoc, Ph.D., M.S.
2016

Current Job:
Research Assistant Professor
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA, USA

Dr. Cui Wang

Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D.
2015

Current Job:
Global Microbiology Research Scientist
Mars Global Food Safety Center
China

Dr. Trudy Tucker

Research Scientist, Postdoc, Ph.D., M.S.
2015

Current Job:
Senior Scientist
Emergent Biosolutions
Gaithersburg, MD, USA

Doctor of Philosophy Alumni

Dr. Nosa Amadasun

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2020

Current Job:
Lecturer
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. Maurice De La Croix

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2019

Current Job:
Upstream Process Engineer
Sanofi Pasteur
Swiftwater, PA, USA

Dr. Kelly Cannon

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2019

Current Job:
Fermentation Scientist
Florida Food Products, LLC
Eustis, FL, USA

Dr. Joshua Renfroe

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2018

Current Job:
Research Scientist

Dr. Carlos Vazquez

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2017

Current Job:
ORISE Research Fellow
CDC
Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. John Neville

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2017

Current Job:
Technical Specialist
WuXi AppTec
Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. Shirley Belshazzar

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2017

Current Job:
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Dr. Kyle Gabriel

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2017

Current Job:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA, USA

Dr. Courtney Barlament

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2016

Current Job:
Process Development Scientist III
Lonza
Houston, TX, USA

Dr. Wenxin Jiang

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2016

Current Job:
Molecular Biologist
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. Sarah Boyd

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2014

Current Job:
VP, Buissness Development
META Studios
Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. Brandi Villa

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2010

Current Job:
Director
Belay Consulting
Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. Gene Drago

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2007

Current Job:
Senior Research Scientist
Danimer Scientific
Bainbridge, GA, USA

Dr. Sangeeta Ganguly-Mink

Doctor of Philosophy, M.S.
2005

Current Job:
Senior R&D Manager
Stepan Company
Northfield, IL, USA

Master of Science Alumni

Poonam Patel

Master of Science, B.S.
2020

Atlanta, GA, USA

Yong-Gyu Lee

Master of Science, B.S.
2020

Atlanta, GA, USA

Raza Momin

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Current Job:
ORISE Fellow
Center for Disease Control
Atlanta, GA, USA

Chris Grant

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Atlanta, GA, USA

Barielba Nenbee

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Atlanta, GA, USA

Akshar Trivedi

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Etna Sanchez

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Talha Abid

Master of Science, B.S.
2017

Current Job:
Research Specialist
Yerkes Primate Center
Atlanta, GA, USA

Nimna Wijewantha

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Current Job:
Ph.D. Student
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA, USA

Yathreb Bayan

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

 

Daniel Jordan

Master of Science, B.S.
2019

Robin Nguyen

Master of Public Health, B.S.
2018

Current Job:
Graduate Program Director
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA, USA

Philip Strate

Master of Science, B.S.
2018

Current Job:
Ph.D. Student
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA, USA

Muzna Saqib

Master of Science, B.S.
2018

Current Job:
Research Specialist
John Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, USA

Bachelor of Science Alumni

Anjello Luciano

Bachelor of Science
2018

Current Job:
Research Technician
Ray Biotech Life, Inc
Norcross, GA, USA

Ilona Golynker

Bachelor of Science
2020