Scott Hamilton-Brehm

My research laboratory focuses on microbial diversity in aquatic oligotrophic, geothermal, and ancient environments. Microorganisms from these environments possess characteristics valuable to applied research. The underlying fundamental principles are analyzed using biochemistry and bioinformatics, where we examine extant/extinct microbial biomes, characterize novel pathways to produce value added molecules/biofuels, determine critical species involved in remediation/recovery processes, and piecing together the mechanisms that support the origins of life.

While my research interests cover many areas of microbial biochemistry, the three research themes pursued currently are to: 1) isolate/characterize deep subsurface microorganisms to determine how life is sustained in oligotrophic environments; 2) design/develop anaerobic consolidated bioprocessing using microorganisms from geothermal/subsurface environments to convert bio-waste to value added molecules/biofuels; 3) design/develop algorithms based on next generation sequencing data that can evaluate the severity and recovery of damage to ecosystems from pollution or establish sustainable conditions to support important organisms.

John Phoenix

I am an undergraduate second-year student and researcher at Southern Illinois University actively involved in microbiology research in Dr. Scott Hamilton-Brehm's Laboratory. I earned my Associate of Science (AS) degree from Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL before coming to SIU to pursue a bachelor's degree in Microbiology with a minor in chemistry. My research interests include host-microbe interaction and human bacterial pathogenesis that I hope to expand on into graduate school and carry with into my career. An undergraduate research project would provide me the unique opportunity to get valuable research experience early on and help me develop into a better scientist.

Trevor Murphy

I am currently an undergraduate student finishing my BS in biomedical sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and will be transitioning to a graduate student in microbiology this fall. My research interests are in bioinformatics based analysis of genomes and microbiomes, molecular biology, and viral discovery and host interactions. I spearheaded the first leg of this experiment by being awarded a REACH grant to begin the initial analysis of the squid aquacultural microbiome. My findings suggested there was a profound shift in microbial communities of an unproductive cohort of squid along with a few potential pathogens. These findings are where the new undergraduate students will be working together to shed light on the mysteries of this study.

Erin Levon

I am currently a sophomore undergraduate at Southern Illinois University. I recently started in Dr. Hamilton-Brehm's microbiology lab with interests in molecular biology and bioinformatics, which I hope to continue with in graduate school. I am currently pursuing a bachelor's in microbiology with a minor in chemistry. it would be a great opportunity to continue DNA sequencing over the summer and to have a chance to publish the discoveries made.

Bethany Rader

All metazoans enter into complex and life-long interactions with bacterial communities that profoundly influence the hosts’ development, physiology, emotional and cognitive states, and the development and progression of disease. The overall prevalence of these interactions suggests a long coevolutionary history between host and beneficial symbiont and implies that a comprehensive understanding of any organism must also include an understanding of its microbiome. Therefore, my ongoing research aims are to (1) identify evolutionary conserved mechanisms that both promote host-microbe specificity during colonization and the establishment of symbiosis, and underlay continued symbiosis throughout the life of the organism, (2) understand how these mechanisms shape the microbiome, and (3) understand how that ecology shapes host biology.