Awarded in 2015
Home Department: Immunology
Faculty Advisors: Paul Bollyky (Medicine - Infectious Diseases) and Lynette Cegelski (Chemistry) (Medicine - Infectious Diseases) and David Stevens (Medicine - Infectious Diseases)

Research Title: Immune modulation by filamentous bacteriophage in bacterial biofilms

Research Description: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major human pathogen and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in wound infections. With the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, new treatment strategies are required. P. aeruginosa’s survival is predicated on its ability to form biofilms, slimy layers of sugars and lipids that encase the microbial community and protect it from immune clearance. Johanna uses models of human wound healing and biochemical tools to study how the biofilm composition mediates immune suppression. Ultimately, her research will improve the understanding behind the regulation of inflammatory immune responses during biofilm infections and yield novel therapeutic targets.

WHERE IS SHE NOW?

Johanna is transitioning into a career within biosecurity and pandemic preparedness, and is currently working on projects with Blueprint Biosecurity and SecureBio.