Professional Background

I have a broad background in molecular microbiology, with specific training and expertise in key areas relevant to this research. Postdoctoral training at the Univ. of Pennsylvania (with Howard Goldfine and Dan Portnoy) provided me with the experience in studying the structure-function and enzymatic activities of important
bacterial virulence factors. The remainder of my scientific career, i.e. my dissertation at the Univ. of Basel Biozentrum, postdoctoral training at the Univ. of California at Irvine (with Alan G. Barbour) as well as my independent career at the Univ. of Kansas Medical Center, has focused on Borrelia spirochetes. I was directly
involved in several seminal discoveries, influencing our understanding of the complexity and plasticity of the Borrelia genome, facilitating the structure-function study of heterologous or essential Borrelia proteins, and leading the way in our understanding of B. burgdorferi lipoprotein transport and sorting, thereby elucidating the biogenesis of the spirochetal pathogen interface with the host. Throughout the course of these studies, I and my laboratory members pushed the limits in regard to the genetic manipulation of Borrelia, became proficient in
several protein localization techniques, and explored genomics, functional proteomics and protein structurefunction with support from a local network of experts. In summary, as a laboratory leader and investigator, I have a demonstrated record of successful, productive, and cutting-edge research in an area of high relevance for a common global infectious disease as well as the understanding of basic molecular mechanisms of protein secretion. My role in the current research project optimally leverages my scientific expertise and interest in spirochetal virulence, protein structure-function analysis and functional proteomics.