UConn Microbiome Seed Fund Recipients

Through this program, the OVPR is able to provide up to $50,000 to UConn faculty to support innovative and collaborative research proposals that will lead to new proposals for extramural funding in microbiome research.

A bobtail squid under a microscope in the lab on Nov. 12, 2019. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) has recently finalized award decisions for the UConn Microbiome Research Seed Grant program. Through this program, the OVPR is able to provide up to $50,000 to UConn faculty to support innovative and collaborative research proposals that will lead to new proposals for extramural funding in microbiome research.

The 2020 Microbiome Research Seed Grant awardees:

Jonathan Klassen, Molecular and Cell Biology
Metal-Binding Antimicrobial Peptide Mediation of a Fungus-Growing Ant Symbiosis
Co-PIs: Alfredo Angeles-Boza

Mark Peczuh, Chemistry
Characterizing the Role of Siderophores in the Euprymna Scolopes – Vibrio Fischeri Symbiosis
Co-PIs: Spencer Nyholm

J. Evan Ward, Marine Sciences
The Effect of a Common Anthropogenic Pollutant on the Microbiome of an Ecologically and Commercially Important Bivalve
Co-PIs: Penny Vlahos, Lisa Nigro

Wendy Mok, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Friend or Foe? Impact of Chronic Infection Microbiome Constituents on Persistence of Staphylococcus Aureus toward Antifolate Antibiotics
Co-PIs: Dennis Wright, Maria Rocha Granados, Debjani Si

For more information about the competition, visit the program website.

Non-remote work on projects such as the one described above may be temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic until the University resumes normal operations.

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