Microbiology

Faculty and students in microbiology work on a wide range of projects on different microbial systems, including freshwater and marine bacteria, pathogenic bacteria and soil fungi. The research efforts are supported by a number of core facilities including a flow cytometer, the Microscopic Imaging and Visualization Center, Genomics and Proteomics facilities (real-time PCR and microarray) and a BSL-3 lab. Kent State's microbial research involves traditional culture-dependent methods, state-of-the-art gene-based techniques and cutting-edge approaches including metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Most work focuses on the role of microorganisms in mediating ecologically significant processes, such as degradation of recalcitrant carbon of plant tissues, transformation of dissolved organic matter in aquatic systems, nitrogen loss through denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation, antibiotic resistance, etc.

Research activities in Microbiology are generously funded by grants from the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the Lake Erie Protection Fund, US Geological Survey, and other state and federal agencies.

GRADUATE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Students in Microbiology are enrolled in one of several different graduate programs depending on their primary interests. Some students participate in the M.S. or Ph.D. programs in Biological Sciences ( Ecology or Physiology specializations). Others are enrolled in the School of Biomedical Sciences in the Cell and Molecular Biology program.