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Microbiology
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Meet the Faculty
| VIRGINIA CAMPUS CHAIR | |
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Jim Palmieri, Ph.D.Department Chair, Associate Professor
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ABOUT DR. PALMIERI: Dr. Palmieri is Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Emerging Diseases and teaches Parasitology and Virology to OMSI and OMS II students. In addition, Dr. Palmieri directs the two-day Bioterrorism and Natural Disaster Responses Program for OMSII students. Dr. Palmieri is associated with the VCOM D.O./PH.D. program and acts as advisor and curriculum coordinator. In addition, Dr. Palmieri teaches the pathology component for critical thinking in the Post-Baccalaureate program. Dr. Palmieri’s research interests involve organisms which have the potential to be weaponized. In addition, Dr. Palmieri directs Virginia Tech undergraduate interns and VCOM medical students who wish to conduct research in the VCOM microbiology laboratory. Dr. Palmieri’s research interests include Acanthamoebae and their ability to serve as hosts for pathogenic organisms under cold temperatures and their relationship with other pathogenic organisms in the natural environment and within biological systems. |
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| CAROLINAS CAMPUS CHAIR | |
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Randal K. Gregg, Ph.D.
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EXPERTISE: ABOUT DR. GREGG: Dr. Gregg received his Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. His postdoctoral work focused on the underlying mechanisms of CD8+ T cell-mediated autoimmune disease and the efficacy of adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells against established melanoma. Dr. Gregg is currently interested in two research areas involving host-tumor and host-pathogen interactions with a primary focus upon innate immunity, particularly concerning natural killer cells. First, he is investigating the impact of cytokine production by immune cells (Th17 and NK cells) upon the growth and development of human pancreatic cancer cells. Secondly, Dr. Gregg is examining the signal transduction occurring in NK cells exposed to HIV-1, Ebola virus lysate and Yersinia bacteria. In all cases, NK cells are rendered inactive and/or undergo apoptosis permitting establishment of chronic infection by these microbial agents. An understanding of the signals involved will aid in the development of therapies to prevent NK cell impairment thereby restoring innate immunity and potentially lead to elimination of the microbes. Most recently, Dr. Gregg has initiated work on development of a bacterial vector for use in cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Gregg has been previously funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Gregg enjoys teaching in all areas of both microbiology and immunology and has experience in undergraduate and graduate institutions as well as medical schools. |
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Shaadi Elswaifi, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Infectious, and Emerging Diseases Tele: 540-231-1456 |
ABOUT DR. ELSWAIFI: Dr. Elswaifi earned his veterinary medical degree at Cairo University in Egypt and his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Virginia Tech. He is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease and Microbiology and teaches microbiology and the laboratory component of the Early Clinical Experience to the OMSI and OMSII students. In addition Dr. Elswaifi teaches microbiology and critical thinking for the Post Baccalaureate program. He also participates in the Bioterrorism and Natural Disaster Responses Program for OMSII students. His research interests are in the control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections using nanotechnology approaches and in reactive oxygen species biology and its role in infectious diseases. Dr. Elswaifi’s research interests also include the development of simple molecular biology techniques for enhancing the efficiency of differential diagnosis of infectious diseases in medically underserved areas. His research interests also focus on the role of Acanthamoeba in transmission of and enhancing the pathogenicity of infectious bacteria. Dr. Elswaifi is the director of VCOM Biosafety Level 2 laboratory and is an advisor for the undergraduate research interns at the VCOM Infectious Disease Laboratory. |
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