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Grad Lab

Our lab studies how pathogens evolve and spread. We use experimental and computational tools to test our hypotheses and collaborate with clinical and public health institutions. Our overall aim is to improve diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical and public health strategies to aid in the control of infectious diseases. 

Location

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
665 Huntington Avenue,
Building 1, Room 715
Boston, MA 02115

Lab Alumni

Headshot of Aishani Aatresh.

Aishani worked on CRISPR-Cas13-based diagnostic testing for antibiotic susceptibility in N. gonorrhoeae and within-host modeling for SARS-CoV-2 viral kinetics.

Headshot of Lisa Frielinghaus.

Lisa worked on identifying genetic pathways of serum resistance in clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates.

Lisa is now working as a physician in the Netherlands

Headshot of Kyra Fryling.

Kyra’s work focused on understanding antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae through a variety of techniques, as well as an understanding of antibiotic resistance and the spread of pathogens in hospital settings.

Headshot of James Hay.

James used computational methods to study the viral kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 and to investigate how RT-qPCR cycle threshold values collected in hospitals could be used for epidemic surveillance

Headshot of Stephen Kissler with a neutral background.

Stephen’s work focused on monitoring the spread of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in urban settings using partner identification data and whole-genome pathogen sequencing.

Current role: Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado

Headshot of Michelle Long with a neutral background.

Michelle was the lab manager/research assistant. She is now completing her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, pursuing her thesis in the Department of Visual and Environmental Studies.

Headshot of Kevin Ma with an academic background.

Kevin applied microbial genome-wide association methods and bacterial genetics to discover new antibiotic resistance mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria. Additional information about his research interests and publications can be found at http://kevincma.com

Current role: Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Headshot of Sky Martin.

Sky was interested in mathematical approaches to design antibiotic susceptibility tests and quantify their impact on disease burden and resistance emergence.

Headshot of Rebecca McSweeney

Rebecca’s work focused on investigating the genetic contributors to phenotypes including growth patterns and antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Headshot of Tatum Mortimer with a neutral background.

Tatum was investigating the genomic epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and how local public health systems can best use genomics to slow or contain disease transmission and the rise of antibiotic resistance.

Current role: Assistant Professor at University of Georgia

Headshot of Caitlin Norris with a grey background.

Caitlin worked with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to characterise the measles vaccination coverage in the state in order to inform policies to prevent measles outbreaks.

Headshot of Scott Olesen in front of a grey background.

Scott was interested in developing quantitative principles for antibiotic stewardship using genomic data and mathematical modelling.

Current role: Team Lead at the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Headshot of Emily Reichert.

Emily was interested in applying quantitative approaches to characterize and inform complex public health challenges. Her research explored topics including antibiotic resistance and COVID-19.

Current role: Healthcare Analyst at Analysis Group

Headshot of Dan Rubin

Dan worked on understanding mechanisms of drug resistance in N. gonorrhoeae.

Current role: MD/PhD student at Harvard Medical School

Headshot of Mohammad Sater

Mohamad’s interest is public health microbiology and the utility of microbial genomics tools in surveillance, intervention and evidence-based strategy development. His focus in the lab was using large-scale sequencing of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to study the bacterium colonization dynamics and identify genetic factors contributing to persistence.

Current role: Director of Computational Biology and Day Zero Diagnostics

Headshot of Daphne Sun

Daphne was studying the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.

Current role: Bioinformatics Scientist at Regeneron

Headshot of Crista Wadsworth

Crista’s research focused on the origins of biological diversity in natural populations. Her research in the Grad lab is focused on defining the genetic networks and epistatic interactions that contribute to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Current role: Assistant Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Headshot of Yi Wang.

Yi was focused on the acquisition an antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus, Neisseria, and Streptococcus, applying genetic approaches.

Headshot of Katie Westervelt in front of a nature background.

Katie studied studying how selective pressures across physiological niches drive adaptive strategies in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Current role: PhD student at Harvard Medical School