Thesis Defense

Title: Anti-phage defense as a driver of molecular innovation Research Advisor: Prof. Mike Laub (Biology, HHMI) Thesis Abstract: Bacteriophages, or phages for short, pose a near-constant threat to the bacteria they infect. Billions of years of conflict has been a catalyzing force for the creation

PhD candidate: Jade Bath Advisors: Prof. Katarina Ribbeck Tuesday, April 2, 2024 Time: 2 PM Room: 68-181 Title: “Mucin glycans regulate virulence and colonization factors in Streptococcus pneumoniae”

Title: Transcription termination and antitermination in integrative and conjugative element

Location (in-person): Ragon Institute Auditorium, First Floor Auditorium. 600 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139 Thesis Title: “Deciphering Features of Protective or Maladaptive Cellular Immunity in the Airways Following Primary and Repeated Pathogen Exposure”

PhD Candidate: Rey Edison Advisor: Prof. Kevin Esvelt Monday December 23, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM Room: E15-341 Title: Designing for Resilience: Evaluating DNA Screening Vulnerabilities and Designing Mice for Improved Well-being

PhD Candidate: Cassandra Vondrak Advisor: Prof. Becky Lamason ( Biology) Monday July 29, 2024 Time: 12:30PM Room: 68-181 Title: The rickettsial effector Sca4 has a conserved interaction with host clathrin and a tick cell specific role in infection

PhD Candidate: Veda Khadka Advisor: Prof. Tami Lieberman (CEE/IMES) Monday April 22, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM Room: E25-119/121 Title: Staphylococci of the skin: consequences for host health

PhD Candidate: Jacob Baker Advisor: Prof. Tami Lieberman (CEE/IMES) Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM Room: 68-181 Title: Highly-resolved within-species dynamics in the human facial skin microbiome

PhD candidate: Annika Gomez Advisors: Prof. Otto Cordero & Prof. Martin Poliz, University of Vienna Tuesday, Janaury 16, 2024 Time: 11 AM Room: 48-316 Title: Ecological forces affecting microbial eukaryotes in the coastal ocean

PhD candidate: Linda Zhong-Johnson Advisors: Prof. Anthony Sinskey & Prof. Chris Voigt Monday, April 1, 2024 Time: 2PM Room: 68-181 Title: Biochemical Analysis of PET Degradation Kinetics of Engineered IsPETase Variants