Abdulkarim Shwani (PhD 2023) investigated the phylogenomic relationships between BCO pathogens and other Staphylococcus species.  He used Directed Genome Evolution to identify virulence determinants in BCO pathogens. He developed a system for inexpensive capture of bacterial samples from the air with rapid DNA extraction for qPCR.

Sonali Lenaduwe (CEMB MS 2021) analyzed S. agnetis for the physiological conditions that trigger biofilm formation.  She worked with Abdulkarim on the specific genetic determinants for survival of S. agnetis in macrophages. 

Sura Zaki (CEMB PhD 2021) developed PCR assays for distinguishing Staphylococcus species involved in BCO. She also worked on chicken macrophage function in bacterial clearance and S. agnetis survival in chicken macrophage.

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Adnan Alrubaye (PhD 2013) cultured the bacteria from lesions and used PCR and sequencing to genotype isolates for 16S rDNA. Dr. Al-Rubaye is now a faculty member in Biological Sciences, and the Department of Poultry Science.  He directs all of the bird work on the BCO project, and is the Associate Director for the CEMB gradute program.

Karah Baggett (BS Honors 2016) sequenced and analyzed two previously undescribed small plasmids from chicken isolates of S. agnetis.

Aishat Lawal (MS 2023) used microbial sampling of the yolk sac of 17 day old broiler embryos to identify three species of Enterococcus that appear to be contributing to a decline in hatchability in broilers and broiler breeders. Pangenome analysis was used to examine host specificity in these species.

Layla Al-Mitib (PhD candidate) is using qPCR-HRM to examine how probiotics affect immune function gene expression in the early digestive system of young broilers.

Brenda Flack (CEMB PhD 2010) used microsatellite markers to look at populations gene flow and multiple paternity in Timber Rattlesnakes.

Duaa Al-Mansaf (PhD 2022) examined tissue and gender specific expression of the CPQ gene to elucidate how expression of this gene contributes to ascites phenotype. She used Mass Spectrometry to identify biomarkers predictive of ascites.

Layla Al-Mitib (PhD candidate) is examining the role of mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle myopathies and ascites phenotype in broilers.  She is using histological means to look for mitochondrial dysfunction and degeneration associated with ascites.

Katie Lee (PhD 2022) used marker assisted selection in broilers to show that QTLs we identified by whole genome resequencing can shift ascites resistance without affecting production traits.

Shatovisha Dey (PhD 2017) used genome resequencing and qPCR to examine associations of the UTS2D and AGTR1 genes with PHS. She also used whole genome resequencing to identify a major determinant of ascites on chromosome 2. She is now a postdoc at IUPUC.

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Khaloud AlZahrani (MS 2013; PhD 2018) used genome resequencing and qPCR to examine associations of the HTR2B gene with PHS.  She also performed ATACseq on pulmonary arteries to identify genes affected in response to hypoxia

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Byron Marciniak (BIOL BS 2018) isolated RNAs from different tissues to study expression of candidate genes associated with ascites.

Timothy Licknack (MS candidate) was a graduate student with Dr. Anthony.  He generated RNAseq data to investigate cardiac hypertrophy and hypoxia in young broiler chicks.  .

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Katy Tarrant (PhD 2016) examined a region on GgaZ for association with PHS and production traits. She is now a faculty member at California State Fresno.

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Adnan Alrubaye (PhD 2013) examined the affects of several loci on PHS in breeding lines. He used qPCR to examine expression levels for several candidate genes.  He is now a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Poultry Science, and Associate Director of the Cell and Molecular Biology program at the University of Arkansas.

Candace Timmerman (PhD 2009) used SSR and VNTRs to investigate population structure in Timber Rattlesnakes and to map the chicken genome for ascites QTLs.