Biology Faculty and Staff

Educational Background

B.S. Biology/Environmental Science, Auburn University at Montgomery, AL 1995

Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology/Minor: Plant Sciences. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 2005
Horizontal and vertical transmission in the host-parasite interaction, Elymus hystrix infected with Epichlo elymi.

Courses Taught  

• Biol 113 Evolution & Diversity
• Biol 210 Organisms & their Ecosystems
• Biol 270 Sophomore Seminar
• Biol 370 Junior Seminar
• Biol 420 Botanical Pharmacology
• Biol 430 Ecology
• Core 270 Natural Science Perspectives

Research Interests    
Symbioses close associations between different species are ubiquitous in nature and often have strong effects on the survival and reproduction of the species involved, the host and the symbiont. I study symbioses between plant hosts and fungal symbionts, with the goal of understanding the ecological and evolutionary consequences of such associations.

In particular I study the symbiosis between grasses and systemic fungal endophytes (family: Clavicipitaceae). In many cool season grasses these fungi live intercellularly within the above-ground portions of grass tissue. The fungal endophyte can spread by spores to new grass hosts horizontal transmission. The fungus can also grow into the grass seeds and spread to the next generation of the grass vertical transmission. One goal of my research is to understand the relationship between the transmission mode of the endophyte and the evolution of virulence, or harm to the host.

The fungal endophyte often produces secondary metabolitesvarious classes of alkaloids that can negatively affect grass herbivores and thus help to protect the grass from being eaten. Another goal of my research is to understand the ecological consequences of this plant-fungus symbiosis including effects on the host's distribution, population dynamics, and community interactions and structure. Currently in the lab we are developing and refining a bioassays, including one using brine shrimp (a.k.a sea monkeys) to detect the anti-herbivore bioactivity of the fungal endophyte.

Recent Conference Presentations 

Fink, O. and T. Tintjer. 2018. Fungal endophyte effect on Spodoptera frugiperda feeding on Agrostis hyemalis compared with results of the brine shrimp bioassay. Conference presentation at the 10th International Symposium of Fungal Endophytes in Grasses Salamanca, Spain

Fink, O. and T. Tintjer. 2016. Fungal Endophyte Harms Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, larvae feeding on the grass Agrostis hyemalis. Poster presented at the 2016 Meeting of Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

T. Tintjer. 2015. Application of the brine shrimp lethality assay to detect the bioactivity of the endophyte-infected grass (Agrostis hyemalis). Conference presentation at the 9th International Symposium of Fungal Endophytes in Grasses, LaTrobe University, Melbourne Australia

Kolbeck, M. and T. Tintjer. 2015. Use of a brine shrimp (Artemia salina) assay to evaluate endophyte-infected Agrostis hyemalis toxicity. Poster presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA

Leger, A. and T. Tintjer. 2015. Success Rate and Effects on Growth of Artificial Combinations of Cool Season Grasses and Strains of Fungal Endophytes. Poster presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA

Hippeli, S. and T. Tintjer. 2014. The Role of the Endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum in the invasive properties of Festuca arundinacea through Soil Community Feedback. Poster presented at 90th meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

Custer, G., T. Tintjer, and J. Belanger. 2014. Assessment of Protection of Host Tissues by Vertically Transmitted Fungal Endophytes. Poster presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

Barna, L. and T. Tintjer. 2013. Longitudinal Study of Foraging Preferences of Castor canadensis in a Leatherleaf-Sedge Wetland Habitat. Poster presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Bradford, PA

Barna, L. and T. Tintjer. 2012. Foraging Preferences of Castor canadensis in a Leatherleaf-sedge Wetland Habitat. Poster presented at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Cedar Crest College. Allentown, PA

Publications

Kolbeck, M. and T. Tintjer. 2016. The use of a brine shrimp assay to detect bioactivity in the endophyte-infected grass, Agrostis hyemalis Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. 90(1): 13-20

Tintjer, T., Leuchtmann, A. and Clay, K. 2008. Variation in horizontal and vertical transmission of the endophyte Epichlo elymi infecting the grass Elymus hystrix. New Phytologist. 179: 236-245.

Tintjer, T. and J. A. Rudgers. 2006. Grass herbivore interactions altered by strains of a native endophyte. New Phytologist. 170: 513-521.

Clay, K., Reinhart, K., Rudgers, J., Tintjer, T., Koslow, J. and S. L. Flory. 2008. Red queen communities. Pp. 145-178, In Ecology of Infectious Diseases: Interactions between diseases and ecosystems. (V. Eviner, F. Keesing and R. Ostfeld, Eds.). Princeton University Press, Princeton.

Flory, S.L., E. Ingram, B. Heidinger, T. Tintjer. 2005. Hands On in the Non-Laboratory Classroom: Reconstructing Plant Phylogenies Using Morphological Characters. The American Biology Teacher 67(9):542-547.

White, J. F. Jr., T. E. Drake (Tintjer) and T. I. Martin. 1996. Endophyte-host associations in grasses: XXIII. A study of two species of Balansia that form stromata on nodes of grasses. Mycologia 88 (1): 89-97.

Educational Background

B.S.,   Biology, Binghamton University, 1995                  

M.S., Natural Resources: Wildlife Ecology, University of New Hampshire, 2000

• Effects of biotic and abiotic factors on larval Plethodontid salamanders

Ph.D., Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of New Hampshire, 2007

• The roles of brook trout and larval two-lined salamanders as predators in streams

Courses Taught

• Biol 113 Evolution and Diversity
• Biol 210 Organisms and Their Ecosystems
• Biol 430 Ecology
• Enst/Biol 410 Ecological & Environmental Sampling and Analysis
• Enst/Biol 401A Conservation Biology
• Enst/Biol 401K Wetland Ecology and Delineation
• Biol/Enst 401M Tropical Ecosystems: Forests of the Peruvian Amazon (short-term study abroad course)

Research Interests   

I am a community ecologist and primarily study interactions among fish, salamanders, and macroinvertebrates in small streams. My interest in aquatic ecology sort of started with a love of mountains (White Mountain National Forest in NH), and I was quickly captured by the interesting interactions among predators and prey in streams. All organisms are consumers but are also consumed by others. For example, stream salamander larvae actively search for invertebrate prey while trying to avoid becoming prey to larger invertebrates, other salamanders, and fish. These tradeoffs between gathering resources and not becoming a resource for another organism can be fascinating at the individual, population, or community levels.

I am also investigating some aspects of environmental degradation in the region. One big and obvious source of pollution to local surface water is abandoned mine drainage. I’ve been studying the effects of the Old Forge Bore Hole on water and habitat quality in the Lackawanna River. The mine drainage has clear impacts on the Lackawanna River, but habitat and water quality are not good up-river of the bore hole. This has led me to study degradation along the length of the Lackawanna.

I’ve also been studying the effects of acidification (sort of the old acid rain issue) in local conservation lands. The occurrence and effects of acidification across the northeastern US aren’t new, but I stumbled across the issue while looking for field sites for other projects. I often look for streams with waterfalls to study because (they’re beautiful places, and) they can be great sites to study the effects of predators in streams. I found some streams with big, beautiful waterfalls that are effective barriers to fish movement. In the fishless reaches above the falls, I found very few salamanders where they should be thriving. Chronic and episodic acidification (due to a combination of atmospheric deposition, geology, and wetlands) seem to be important issues in these streams, and I’m study their impacts on fish, salamanders, and macroinvertebrates.

Recent Conference Presentations with Students

Laird, A and G Barr 2014. Tracking Digestion in Larval Two-Lined Salamanders with Fluorescently Marked Prey. Poster presented at the 90^th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

Madden, S and G Barr 2014. Effects of Marking Larval Salamanders on Their Survival in the Presence of Trout and Crayfish. Poster presented at the 90^th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

Minier, S and G Barr 2014. Chronic and Episodic Acidification of Fishing Creek: Effects on Two-lined Salamander Abundance. Poster presented at the 90^th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. 

Sohle, B and G Barr 2013. Use of Cover by Prey in Response to Single and Multiple Predator Species. Poster presented at the 89^th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

Bauza, J, B Sohle, and G Barr 2012. Anti-Predator Behavior Exhibited by Stream Macroinvertebrates When Exposed to Multiple Predators. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

Stavish, G and Garrett Barr 2012. Effects of Fish on the Feeding Habits of Salamanders in Streams. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

Rafter JL* and GE Barr 2010 Impacts of stocking trout on resident fish and benthic macroinvertebrates in streams in Northeastern PA. Poster presented at the 95^th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Pittsburg, PA.

Publications

• Barr GE and KJ Babbitt. 2007. Trout affect the density, activity, and feeding of a larval Plethodontid salamander. Freshwater Biology 52:1239-1248.
• Barr GE and KJ Babbitt 2002. Effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution and abundance of Eurycea bislineata. Oecologia. 133:176-185.
• Barr GE and KJ Babbitt 2001. Two methods to sample larval Plethodontid salamanders in streams. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 29(4):1238-1242

Educational Background 
B.S. Microbiology, Colorado State University, 1997
M.S. Veterinary Science (emphasis in immunology), University of Nebraska, 2004
Ph.D Genetics, The Pennsylvania State University, 2012

Courses Taught  (Catalog number; name)
BIOL213; Cell and molecular biology
BIOL213L; Cell and molecular biology lab
BIOL314; Microbiology
BIOL314L; Microbiology lab
BIOL326; Immunology
BIOL326L; Immunology lab

Research Interests    
Dr. Justice-Bitner’s research has two main areas of focus: G-protein coupled receptor signaling (protein-protein interactions) and resistance of bacteria to natural antimicrobials.

To investigate the role that protein-protein interactions may have in the process of addiction, Dr. Justice-Bitner uses the yeast two-hybrid technique. Dr. Justice-Bitner’s previous research used this technique to discover 3 new proteins that interact with the mu-opioid receptor. She is currently using this same technique to try to uncover more binding partners for the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1 or CB1). This receptor is involved in a variety of physiological processes including metabolism, pain, appetite, and addiction.

To investigate the ability of bacteria to become resistant to natural products, Dr. Justice-Bitner uses a modified Kirby-Bauer method. She has begun testing different essential oils with known antimicrobial activity to see if various species of bacteria can become resistant to the antimicrobial effects of these oils. 

Recent Conference Presentations 

Student Presentations at Pennsylvania Academy of Science:

Sarah Almony Detection of novel protein-interactions with the human cannabinoid-1 receptor
Taylor Philips Using the Kirby-Bauer Method to examine bacterial resistance to tea tree oil

Andrew Vera Detection of novel protein-interactions with the second intracellular loop of the human cannabinoid-1 receptor

Publications
MOR Is Not Enough: Identification of Novel mu-Opioid Receptor Interacting proteins Using Traditional and Modified Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid Screens. (with J Petko, J Jin, V Wong, S Kittanakom, T Ferraro, I Staglijar, and R Levenson) PLOS ONE 2013.

Identifying novel members of the Wntless interactome through genetic and candidate gene approaches. (with J Petko, T Tranchina, G Patel, and R Levenson) Brain Research Bulletin 2017.

Educational Background 
B.S. in Biology at  University of California at Davis, CA
M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA
Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia
Postdoctoral training/research at the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute in Seattle, WA
Postdoctoral training/research at the Marine Biology laboratories in Falmouth, MA

Courses Taught 
Biol 327  Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Biol 327L Medical Microbiology and Immunology Lab
Biol 314  Microbiology
Biol 314L Microbiology Lab 
Biol 310  Computer modeling for Biology and Environmental Science 
Biol 401C Lab Ecotoxicology lab 
Biol 490  Senior Research 
Biol 229 Undergraduate research as an independent study 

Research Interests    
I am interested in all aspects of Immunology and Microbiology. 

I am currently doing research with students on the existence of nanobacteria. These very small bacteria were, at one time, thought to exist and were in electron micrographs. Most microbiologists now believe that nanobacteria are actually artifacts and are simply minerals that have precipitated but have the same shape and size of very small bacteria. So far, my students and I have also not been able to confirm the existence of true, living nanobacteria.

I am also doing research on how a non-pathogenic bacteria becomes pathogenic. I am working with students on trying to convert non-pathogenic  bacteria, found on the surface of carrots, into a pathogenic bacteria that can cause damage to the carrots. So far we have not succeeded in transforming a non-pathogenic bacteria into a pathogenic one.  We will continue to set up conditions that might stimulate a bacteria to evolve to a pathogenic state.

Finally, I also work with students on improving labs for Microbiology and Immunology. A current example is the work three students did to develop an Immunology lab that demonstrated the activation of human T cells.

Recent Conference Presentations with Students

1. 2007 Poster: Chris Paradise, M. Chang, D. Wessner, and David Glick comparative analysis of microbial diversity in simulated aquatic tree hole ecosystemsâ Association of Southeastern Biologists annual meeting in Columbia, South Carolina
2. 2009 Poster:  D. L. Glick, C. Gushue, H. Namdari, M. Wasilewski, and M. Sulzinski. “Development of a Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Burkholderia gladioliâ American Society for Microbiology annual meeting in Philadelphia, PA
3. 2010 Poster:  D. L. Glick, C. Gushue, H. Namdari, M. Wasilewski, and M. Sulzinski. Development of a Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Burkholderia gladioli
4. Third Annual Northeastern Pennsylvania faculty Symposium at Kings College. Wilkes-Barre, PA. ASMCUE (American Society for Microbiology Conference on Undergraduate Education in Bethesda, Maryland. 2016  The presentation was on using carrot disease models in undergraduate laboratory situations.

Publications

1. D. L. Glick, C. M. Coffey, and M. A. Sulzinsky. Simultaneous PCR detection of the two Major Bacterial pathogens of Geranium. Journal of Phytopathology Vol 150.  pgs 54-59. 2002
2. A. Yezerski, G. Cussatt, D. Glick, and M. Evancho. The effects of the presence of stored product pests on the microfauna of a flour community. Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol 98. Pgs 507-515. 2005
3. Michael Sulzinsky, Melissa Wasilewski, James Farrell, and David Glick. Undergraduate Virology Exercises Demonstrate Conventional and Real-Time PCR Using Commercially Available HIV Primers and Noninfectious Target. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. Vol 37, Pgs 232-235.  2009 
4. Susan Jones-Held, Robert Paoletti, David Glick, and Michael Held. An Open-Ended Investigative Microbial Ecology Laboratory for Introductory Biology. Bioscene- The Journal of College Biology teaching. Vol 36 (2) . Pgs 41-47. 2010

Educational Background 
Ph.D., Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 2011
M.S., Paleontology, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 2003
B.S., Zoology, State University of New York at Oswego, 1997

Courses Taught 
BIOL 113; Evolution and Diversity
BIOL 210; Organisms and Their Ecosystems
BIOL 219/221; Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 220/222; Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 229; Paleontological Techniques
BIOL 270; Sophomore Seminar
BIOL 355; Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
CORE 279; The Science of Dinosaurs
ENST/GEOG 200; Earth Science

Research Interests    
My research centers on the biomechanics and paleoecology of herbivorous dinosaurs as well as evolutionary innovations in the craniodental anatomy of this group. Currently, the functional morphology of the masticatory (chewing) apparatus and the evolution of this system in ceratopsian (horned) dinosaurs is the bulk my work. I employ dental microwear analysis, the examination of microscopic pits and scratches on teeth to infer jaw action, chewing behavior, diet, and ecology of these dinosaurs. Students in my lab have examined dental microwear of various plant-eating dinosaurs and current students are examining dental microwear in an extinct group of carnivorous mammals called creodonts. Additional student projects have examined changes in the developmental timing of body structures (heterochrony) in salamanders. Broadly my research interests include the form, function, and evolution of vertebrate anatomy, and students are welcome to pursue research topics of their own design that incorporate my areas of interest.  

Recent Conference Presentations  (* signifies student coauthor)
Gartley, S.* and Varriale, F., 2017. Testing the effect of dentine hardness on microwear in the saurolophine hadrosaur Kritosaurus navajovius (Dinosauria, Ornithischia). 93rd  Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Program and Abstracts, p22-23. March 31st -April 2nd King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Morschhauser, E. M. and Varriale, F. J. 2017. The labial (horizontal) shelf is a synapomorphy of Neoceratopsia (Dinosauria: Ornithischia). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 166-167.

Varriale, F. J. 2016. Quantitative dental microwear supports clinolineal mastication in Psittacosaurus (Dinosauria: Ornithischia). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 242-243.

Varriale, F. J. and Morschhauser, E. M. 2016. The mechanical origin and morphology of the labial (horizontal) shelf in Leptoceratopsia demonstrates it is now a synapomorphy of Neoceratopsia (Dinosauria: Ornithischia). 11th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, June 29th - July 3rd, 2016. Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Bethesda, Maryland. Paper #POS1-61.

Publications
Varriale, F. J. 2016. Dental microwear reveals mammal-like chewing in the neoceratopsian dinosaur Leptoceratops gracilis. PeerJ 4:e2132.

Educational Background

B.A. Biology, Miami University (Ohio).

Ph.D. Molecular Biology, Cornell

Post-doctoral fellowship, Johns Hopkins; Novel cytoplasmic glycosylation of proteins in signal transduction.
Courses Taught  

• BIOL 213 Cell and Molecular Biology 
• BIOL 224 Biochemistry for Medical Studies

Research Interests    
We're interested in a novel type of post-translational modification of proteins called O-GlcNAc (N-acetyl-glucosamine). Unlike all other known types of glycosylation, O-GlcNAc modifies serines and threonines of cytosolic proteins to functionally regulate their activity in signal transduction pathways. We are interested in understanding both fundamental mechanisms of how dynamic O-GlcNAc alters protein function and how aberrant levels of O-GlcNAc are linked to pathologies in disease states such as Cancer and Alzheimer's. In this context, the enzymes which catalyze addition and removal of O-GlcNAc may be novel therapeutic drug targets.

Selected Publications

Ma Z, Chalkley RJ, Vosseller K. Hyper-O-GlcNAcylation activates nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling through interplay with phosphorylation and acetylation. J Biol Chem. 2017 Jun 2;292(22):9150-9163.

Ma Z, Vosseller K. Cancer Metabolism and Elevated O-GlcNAc in Oncogenic Signaling. J Biol Chem. 2014 Dec 12;289(50):34457-34465.

Skorobogatko Y, Landicho A, Chalkley RJ, Kossenkov AV, Gallo G, Vosseller K.

O-GlcNAc site Thr87 regulates synapsin I localization to synapses and size of the reserve pool of synaptic vesicles. J Biol Chem. 2014 Feb 7;289(6):3602-12.

Ma Z, Vosseller K. O-GlcNAc in cancer biology. Amino Acids. 2013

Oct;45(4):719-33. doi: 10.1007/s00726-013-1543-8.

Ma Z, Vocadlo DJ, Vosseller K. Hyper-O-GlcNAcylation is anti-apoptotic and maintains constitutive NF-κB activity in pancreatic cancer cells. J Biol Chem. 2013 May 24;288(21):15121-30.

Ma ZY, Skorobogatko Y, Vosseller K. Tandem lectin weak affinity chromatography for glycoprotein enrichment. Methods Mol Biol. 2013;951:21-31.

Yuzwa, S.A., Shan, X., Macauley, M.S., Skorobogatko, Y., Vosseller, K., and Vocadlo, D.J. Glycosylation attenuates tau aggregation and slows neurodegeneration in a tauopathy mouse model. Nature Chemical Biology, 2012 Feb 26;8(4):393-9.

Lynch TP, Ferrer CM, Jackson SR, Shahriari KS, Vosseller K, Reginato MJ. Critical role of O-Linked β-N-acetylglucosamine transferase in prostate cancer invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. J Biol Chem. 2012 Mar 30;287(14):11070-81.

Yuzwa SA, Shan X, Macauley MS, Clark T, Skorobogatko Y, Vosseller K, Vocadlo DJ. Increasing O-GlcNAc slows neurodegeneration and stabilizes tau against aggregation. Nat Chem Biol. 2012 Feb 26;8(4):393-9.

Zachara, N.E., Vosseller, K., Hart, G.W.  Detection and analysis of proteins modified by o-linked N-acetylglucosamine.  Curr Protoc Protein Sci., Chapter 12: Unit 12.8. PubMed PMID: 22045558, 2011.

Zachara, N.E., Vosseller, K., Hart, G.W.  Detection and analysis of proteins modified by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine.  Curr Protoc Mol Biol., Chapter 17: Unit 17.6. PubMed PMID: 21732316, 2011.

Yuzwa, S.A., Yadav, A.K., Skorobogatko, Y., Clark, T., Vosseller, K., Vocadlo, D.J.  Mapping O-GlcNAc modification sites on tau and generation of a site-specific O-GlcNAc tau antibody. Amino Acids; 40(3):857-68. 2011

Skorobogatko, Y.V., Deuso, J., Adolf-Bryfogle, J., Nowak, M.G., Gong, Y., Lippa, C.F., Vosseller, K. Human Alzheimer's disease synaptic O-GlcNAc site mapping and iTRAQ expression proteomics with ion trap mass spectrometry. Amino Acids, 40(3):765-79. Epub 2010 Jun 19. PubMed PMID: 20563614, 2010.

Caldwell, S.A., Jackson, S.R., Shahriari, K.S., Lynch, T.P., Sethi, G., Walker, S., Vosseller, K., Reginato, M.J.  Nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase regulates breast cancer tumorigenesis through targeting of the oncogenic transcription factor FoxM1.  Oncogene, 29(19):2831-42. 2010

Francisco, H., Kollins, K., Varghis, N., Vocadlo, D., Vosseller, K., Gallo, G.  O-GLcNAc post-translational modifications regulate the entry of neurons into an axon branching program. Dev Neurobiol., 69(2-3):162-73. 2009

Tallent, M.K., Varghis, N., Skorobogatko, Y., Hernandez-Cuebas, L., Whelan, K., Vocadlo, D.J., Vosseller, K.  In vivo modulation of O-GlcNAc levels regulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity through interplay with phosphorylation. J Biol Chem., 284(1):174-81. 2009

Savage, P.A., Vosseller, K., Kang, C., Larimore, K., Riedel, E., Wojnoonski, K., Jungbluth, A.A., Allison, J.P.  Recognition of a ubiquitous self-antigen by prostate cancer-infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes. Science, 319(5860):215-20. 2008

Vosseller, K.  Proteomics of Alzheimer's disease: Unveiling protein dysregulation in complex neuronal systems. Proteomics Clin Appl., (11):1351-61. 2007

Vosseller, K., Trinidad, J.C, Chalkley, R.J., Specht, C.G., Thalhammer, A., Lynn, A.J., Snedecor, J.O., Guan, S., Medzihradszky, K.F., Maltby, D.A., Schoepfer, R., Burlingame, A.L. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine proteomics of postsynaptic density preparations using lectin weak affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. Mol Cell Proteomics, 5(5):923-34. 2006

Slawson, C., Zachara, N.E., Vosseller, K., Cheung, W.D., Lane, M.D., Hart, G.W.  Perturbations in O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine protein modification cause severe defects in mitotic progression and cytokinesis. J Biol Chem., 280(38):32944-56. 2005

Vosseller, K., Hansen, K.C., Chalkley, R.J., Trinidad, J.C., Wells, L., Hart, G.W., Burlingame, A.L. Quantitative analysis of both protein expression and serine/threonine post-translational modifications through stable isotope labeling with dithiothreitol. Proteomics, 5(2):388-98. 2005

Wells, L., Vosseller, K., Hart, G.W.  A role for N-acetylglucosamine as a nutrient sensor and mediator of insulin resistance. Cell Mol Life Sci., (2):222-8. Review. 2003.

Vosseller, K., Sakabe, K., Wells, L., Hart, G.W.  Diverse regulation of protein function by O-GlcNAc: a nuclear and cytoplasmic carbohydrate post-translational modification. Curr Opin Chem Biol., (6):851-7. Review. PubMed PMID:12470741, 2002.

Wells, L., Vosseller, K., Cole, R.N., Cronshaw, J.M., Matunis, M.J., Hart, G.W.  Mapping sites of O-GlcNAc modification using affinity tags for serine and threonine post-translational modifications. Mol Cell Proteomics, 1(10):791-804, 2002.

Vosseller, K., Wells, L., Lane, M.D., Hart, G.W.  Elevated nucleocytoplasmic glycosylation by O-GlcNAc results in insulin resistance associated with defects in Akt activation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 99(8):5313-8. 2002.

Wells, L., Gao, Y., Mahoney, J.A., Vosseller, K., Chen, C., Rosen, A., Hart, G.W.  Dynamic O-glycosylation of nuclear and cytosolic proteins: further characterization of the nucleocytoplasmic beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, O-GlcNAcase. 2002.

Vosseller, K., Wells, L., Hart, G.W.  Nucleocytoplasmic O-glycosylation: O-GlcNAc and functional proteomics. Biochimie., 83(7):575-81. 2001.

Comer, F.I.,Vosseller, K., Wells, L., Accavitti, M.A., Hart, G.W.  Characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for O-linked N-acetylglucosamine. 2001.

Wells, L., Vosseller, K., Hart, G.W.  Glycosylation of nucleocytoplasmic proteins:  signal transduction and O-GlcNAc. Science, 291(5512):2376-8. 2001.

Educational Background 

B.A., Biopsychology, Juniata College, 1992
M.S., Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, 1997
Ph.D., Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, 1999

Courses Taught 

Biol 113    Evolution and Diversity
Biol 210     Organisms and their Ecosystems
Biol 323    Genetics
Biol 330     Introduction to Bioinformatics
Biol 370    Junior Seminar
Biol 416    Parasitology
Biol 447    Physiology
Biol 450    Molecular Genetics

Research Interests    

Do Genes Associated with Dyslexia Correlate with College Major Choice?

Genetics of the Chemical Defense System of the Flour Beetle, Tribolium confusum

Physiological and Behavioral Manipulation of the Rat Tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, on its Intermediate and Terminal Hosts

Effects of Environmental Levels of Drugs and Their Metabolites on the Physiology of Frogs

Conference Presentations

Claire Jones.  Pennsylvania Academy of Science Annual Conference (2018). "Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP's) associated with dyslexia may influence college major choice in the King's College community."

Nicholas Saccone.  Pennsylvania Academy of Science Annual Conference (2017). "Some dyslexia-associated SNP's correlate with college major choice."

Association for Biology Laboratory Education:  Annual Conference (2011).  New Mexico State University, NM.  "Using microfossils to teach ecology and evolution."

International Conference on Antimicrobials:  Annual Meeting (2010).  Valladolid, Spain.  "Benzoquinones secreted by Tribolium beetles found to be selective antimicrobials"
Association for Biology Laboratory Education:  Annual Conference (2010).  Dalhousie University, NS.  "Genotyping SNP's associated with dyslexia."

Publications (* indicates an undergraduate student)

Yezerski, Ann, Y. Luyten*, T. Dubiel*. (In Review).  "Comparison of the effects of multiple variables on the levels of infection of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in its intermediate host, the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum"  Environmental Parasitology.

Yezerski, A. (2014). "The Great Larva Race: Using Fruit Fly Larval Speed to Study Quantitative Genetics." Page 413, in Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 35 (K. McMahon, Editor). Proceedings of the 35th Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 477 pages 

Yezerski, A. (2013). "Genetic Variations That May Increase Your Resistance to Malaria." Pages 290-300, in Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 34 (K. McMahon, Editor). Proceedings of the 34th Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 499 pages. 

Yezerski, A. (2012). "Using Microfossils to Demonstrate Ecology and Evolution: (In Memoriam of Charlie Drewes). "Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 33 (K. McMahon, Editor). Proceedings of the 33rd Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 390 pages. 

Yezerski, A. (2011). "Genotyping SNPs Associated With Dyslexia." Pages 225-236, in Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 32 (K. McMahon, Editor). Proceedings of the 32nd Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 445 pages. 

Yezerski, A., C. Ciccone*, B. Volingavage*, J. Rozitski*. (2007) "The effect of a naturally produced benozoqinone on microbes common to flour." Journal of Chemical Ecology 33:1217-1225.

Yezerski, A. (2006). "Why students can learn more from bad professors." Labstracts 27(2): 1.

Yezerski, A. (2005). "Molecular Genetic Linkage Mapping in Tribolium Beetles." Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Virginia Tech University, Association for Biology Laboratory Education.

Yezerski, A., G. Cussatt*, D. L. Glick and M. Evancho* (2005). "The effects of the presence of stored product pests on the microfauna of a flour community." Journal of Applied Microbiology 98(2): 507-515.

Yezerski, A. (2005). "Putting a Grant into Practice: Molecular Genetic Linkage Mapping Can Be Done by Undergraduates!" Labstracts 26(2): 1.

Yezerski, A. (2005). "Building a better student by having them build it themselves." Labstracts 27(1): 1.

Yezerski, A., T. P. Gilmor and L. Stevens (2004). "Genetic analysis of benzoquinone production in Tribolium confusum." Journal of Chemical Ecology 30(5): 1034-1044.

Yezerski, A., L. Stevens and J. Ametrano* (2003). "A genetic linkage map for Tribolium confusum based on Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA's (RAPD's) and Recombinant Inbred (RI) lines." Insect Molecular Biology 12(5): 517-526.

Yezerski, A., T. P. Gilmor and L. Stevens (2000). "Variation in the production and distribution of substituted benzoquinone compounds among genetic strains of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum." Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 73(2): 192-9.