Students

Nina Williams

Major: Bacteriology
Joined program in 2007

Mentor: Alfredo Torres
Research Description:
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) are major human pathogens responsible for numerous food and waterborne outbreaks causing a range of illness in humans, from diarrhea and dysentery to hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). These strains of E. coli colonize the intestine and produce multiple virulence determinants which result in the pathology associated with disease. My research interests lie in understanding the mechanisms used by EHEC and EPEC in adhering to and colonizing intestinal epithelia, focusing on the recently characterized Long Polar Fimbriae (LPF). My goal is to elucidate the contribution of these fimbriae in the colonization attributes of EHEC and EPEC, their role in immunopathogenesis, and the regulatory network controlling their expression during intestinal colonization.

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Education: Xavier University of LA (B.S. Chemistry)
Contact: ndwillia@utmb.edu

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