Research in Biological Sciences
At the nexus of basic science and human health
Our research programs are at the forefront of both basic science and translational research. Research interests span biological scales and systems, from neurodevelopmental brain disorders, to the genetics of aging, to vector ecology, and so much more. Our research is closely integrated with the Medical College of Georgia, allowing our researchers access to additional state-of-the art resources and facilities while fostering collaborations across the university. Check out more about our facilities here.
Join us!
Graduate students: The College of Science and Mathematics has a 2-year, research-based Biomolecular Science MS program, with a cell and molecular biology track. Our graduate faculty also mentor PhD students through the Biomedical Sciences program in the Medical College of Georgia. Those interested in graduate-level research are encouraged to reach out to individual faculty about potential opportunities.
Undergraduate Students: Research in the biological sciences gives students a broader appreciation for their field of study. In the process, students benefit from increased interactions with fellow students and faculty while they gain confidence through hands-on, real-world experiences in the field and in the lab. In addition to the research faculty listed below, several other faculty also take undergraduate students. A complete list of faculty that mentor undergraduate researchers and more information about opportunities can be found here.
Dr. Amy-Abdulovic-Cui
Dr. Abdulovic-Cui investigates genome stability and DNA repair mechanisms using the yeast model systems of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisae.
Research Interests: DNA Repair / DNA Replication / Mutagenesis
Dr. Jennifer Baltzegar
The Baltzegar Lab studies rapid evolution that occurs in response to human-induced changes to the environment in insect vectors with human-health importance, including mosquitoes in the Aedes genus and the German cockroach, Blattella germanica.
Research Interests: Population Genomics / Vector Biology / Ecology / Insecticide Resistance
Dr. Stacy Bennetts
Research Interests: Satilla Science / Serpentine Soil / Metal Tolerance Plants
Dr. Jennifer Bradford
The Bradford lab investigates the role of NF-kappaB signaling in the tumor microenvironment, with an emphasis on tumor associated macrophages. We also investigate more basic innate immune system questions involving NF-kappaB in macrophages.
Research Interests: Cancer / Tumor Microenvironment / NF-kappaB
Dr. Julie Butler
The Butler lab investigates the sensory and neural control of juvenile social behaviors using poison dart frogs and their tadpoles. We use integrative approaches to understand how tadpoles make complex social decisions about their parents, how parent-offspring interactions shape brain and sensory development, and how early-life factors (both social and environmental) influence life-long changes in behavior.
Research Interests: Neuroscience / Hormones / Behavior
Dr. Jennifer Cannon
The Cannon Lab has a broad focus on endocrine and reproductive physiology. Student led projects include research on endocrine disruptors and citrus-derived breast cancer inhibitors.
Research Interests: Endocrinology / Reproductive Physiology / Breast Cancer
Dr. Robert Cromer
The Cromer Field Crew investigates avian communication, particularly how traffic noise impacts inter/intraspecific vocaliztions. We also evaluate ecological health of amphibians and reptiles in respect to toxicology and habitat loss. Additionally, we work with invasive plant species removal and restoration of native plant species..
Research Interests: Ecology / Ornithology / Herpetology
Dr. Evan Goldstein
The Goldstein Lab the pathogenesis and repair of diffuse white matter injury – the most common neuropathological outcome of premature birth.
Research Interests: Brain Injury / Myelin / Epigenetics
Dr. Jessica Hoffman
Research Interests: Aging / Comparative Biology / Evolutionary Medicine
Dr. Paul Langridge
The Langridge Lab focuses on cell-signaling research, particularly on the Notch receptor. Notch is a receptor used in all multicellular animals for cell fate decisions at numerous stages of development and in many aspects of physiology.
Research Interests: Synthetic Biology / Development / Cell Biology
Dr. Stephen Tymanskyj
Research Interests: Cytoskeleton / Intracellular Transport / Neuronal Development
Dr. Nilanjana Chatterjee
The Chatterjee Lab currently explores the role of microorganisms in bioremediation, with a focus on how microbial adaptation strategy to the pollutants can alleviate environmental pollution.
Research Interests: Microbiology / Biotechnology / Molecular Genetics
Dr. Jeremy Goodin
My research focuses on the use of microorganisms for bioremediation and environmental restoration. I am particularly interested in how microbial communities adapt to pollutants and how these adaptations can be harnessed to mitigate contamination. This work combines molecular biology, microbiology, and biotechnology to develop innovative strategies for pollution control and ecosystem health.
Research Interests: Biotechnology / Bioremediation / Microbiology
Dr. Zachary Hancock
The Hancock lab takes an integrative approach to understand the evolutionary dynamics of marine life, combining field-work, population genetics, and statistical modelling. A major focus of the lab is how dispersal (the movement of organisms away from where they are born) evolves in the ocean, and how it can shape patterns of ancestry across space.
Research Interests: Evolution / Marine / Crustaceans
Dr. Georgios Kallifatidis
The Kallifatidis Lab conducts virtual research utilizing the open-access cancer research resource Cancer BioPortal (cBioPortal) for analysis of cancer genomics data. Student will identify genes that are differentially expressed in normal versus tumor tissue, noninvasive versus invasive cancer, or chemotherapy-sensitive versus chemotherapy-resistant tumors.
Research Interests: Cell Biology / Genomic Data / Cancer
Dr. Soma Mukhopadhyay
The Mukhopadhyay Lab works on two areas - Creating Infographics Using Universal Design (UDL) for Transformation of Lesson Plan for Student Success and Implementation of the Study of Gene Expression and Molecular Evolution to Better Understand Human Body and Physiology.
Research Interests: Art & Anatomy / Pedagogy / Color Compromised Vision
Dr. Michael Murray
The Murray Lab's recent, ongoing, and emerging research with multiple partners cuts across several areas involving anthropogenic drivers and impacts to human health and the environment, including: Approaches to managing nutrients to reduce harmful algal blooms and other manifestations of eutrophication in water bodies; Investigating the biogeochemical cycling of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including movement from sediment to water, exposure implications for aquatic life, wildlife, and humans, and management approaches; Better understanding the presence of microplastics in the environment and innovative approaches to assessing human exposures; Investigating approaches to incorporate environmental health concepts into the medical school curriculum
Research Interests: Toxic Chemical Cycling / Exposure Assessment / Environmental Health
Dr. Randy Singer
The Singer Lab explores ecology and evolutionary processes using modern field-work in combination with historical data from large, long term datasets to explore multidisciplinary research questions about fishes and aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, we use aggregated data from natural history collections along with targeted sampling efforts to explore, document and preserve specimens and data for use in research and outreach. A product of this research program is founding, contributing to and curating the Augusta University Specimen Biorepository (AUSB) wherein we catalog and then share data from all of our biological specimens with researchers and policymakers at AU and internationally.
Research Interests: Aquatic Ecology / Fishes / Bioinformatics
Dr. Faith Wiley
The Wiley lab investigates the effects of environmental pollutants on ecosystem health and individual organisms, primarily using invertebrate models.
Research Interests: Toxicology / Ecology / Physiology
Dr. Christina Wilson
Research in the Wilson lab includes using C. elegans (a microscopic nematode) as a multicellular model to study the effects of toxins and drugs on the nervous system. Additionally, the lab is involved in pedagogical research including medical illustration projects for Anatomy and Physiology.
Research Interests: Neurobiology / C. Elegans / Toxicology
Rachel Ianotti
Research Interests: Cardiometabolics / CFU Assay / Lipid Handling
Dr. Megan Berry
Research Interests: Cardiometabolics / CFU Assay / Lipid Handling
College of Science and Mathematics professor awarded NSF CAREER Award
College of Science and Mathematics professor awarded NSF CAREER Award
AU researchers studying the way cells talk to unlock new treatments
AU researchers studying the way cells talk to unlock new treatments
Free, online textbooks created by AU faculty change the game for students
Free, online textbooks created by AU faculty change the game for students
Creativity, Discovery, Engagement
Publications
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Microbiota-derived indole-3-propionic acid extends lifespan in Drosophila and improves muscle and bone health in miceVyavahare, S., Berger, F., Swint, S. G., Mendhe, B., Shukla, M., Duchesne, I., Zhong, R., Cooley, M. A., McGee-Lawrence, M. E., Isales, C. M., Hoffman, J. M., Fulzele, S. & Swint, S. G., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: GeroScience.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Comparing owner reported and genetic breed identification reveals high concordance in a large cohort from the Dog Aging ProjectDog Aging Project Consortium, Dec 2025, In: Scientific reports. 15, 1, 30493.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Ecology of Lake Erie: Causes, consequences and management of eutrophication: A synthesisLudsin, S. A., Munawar, M., Boegehold, A. G., Collingsworth, P. D., Hoffman, J. C. & Murray, M. W., Jun 16 2025, In: Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management. 28, 1, p. 125-131 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
An in vivo screen identifies diverse domains that can act as force-dependent proteolytic switches for Notch activationBaker, F. C., Harman, J., Jordan, T., Walton, B., Ajamu-Johnson, A., Alashqar, R. F., Bhikot, S., Struhl, G. & Langridge, P. D., Jun 10 2025, In: Science Signaling. 18, 890, eadt4606.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Food motivation and owner feeding management practices are associated with overweight among Dog Aging Project participantsGartner, K., Hoffman, J. M., McNulty, K. E., Zheng, Z., Ruple, A. & Creevy, K. E., May 2025, In: American Journal of Veterinary Research. 86, 5Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Sexual dimorphism in the downregulation of extracellular matrix genes contributes to aortic stiffness in female miceKamau, A. N., Sakamuri, A., Okoye, D. O., Sengottaian, D., Cannon, J., Guerrero-Millan, J., Sullivan, J. C., Miller, K. S., Liu, Y. & Ogola, B. O., Mar 2025, In: American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 328, 3, p. H472-H483Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Serine metabolism in aging and age-related diseasesShan, S. & Hoffman, J. M., Feb 2025, In: GeroScience. 47, 1, p. 611-630 20 p., e2200130.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
Contact area and tissue growth dynamics shape synthetic juxtacrine signaling patternsDawson, J. E., Bryant, A., Walton, B., Bhikot, S., Macon, S., Ajamu-Johnson, A., Jordan, T., Langridge, P. D. & Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Jan 7 2025, In: Biophysical Journal. 124, 1, p. 93-106 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Demographic features, health status, and behavioral changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Aging ProjectDog Aging Project Consortium, 2025, In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 12, 1666663.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Empowering learners through student-led integration of environmental health into small group discussionsKoh, E., Kim, J., Aldihri, F., Huang, H., Murray, M., Winston, N. & Watson, C. M., 2025, In: Medical Education Online. 30, 1, 2534054.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
MyVivarium: A cloud-based lab animal colony management application with realtime ambient sensingVidva, R., Raza, M. A., Prabhakaran, J., Sheikh, A., Sharp, A., Ott, H., Moore, A., Fleisher, C., Netherton, H., Goldstein, E., Pitychoutis, P. M., Nguyen, T. V. & Sathyanesan, A., Jan 2025, In: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. 27, p. 612-623 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Microbiome transplants may not improve health and longevity in Drosophila melanogasterLevine, B. H. & Hoffman, J. M., Jan 2025, In: Biology Open. 14, 1, bio061745.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Cross-sectional survey of 43,517 dogs in the Dog Aging Project identifies owner-reported lifetime prevalence and characteristics of gastrointestinal diseaseDog Aging Project Consortium, Dec 2024, In: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 262, 12Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
The companion dog as a model for inflammaging: a cross-sectional pilot studyDog Aging Project Consortium, Dec 2024, In: GeroScience. 46, 6, p. 5395-5407 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Negative effects of lifespan extending intervention on resilience in miceCorder, K. M., Hoffman, J. M., Sogorovic, A., Yang, Y., Banerjee, A., Sun, Y., Stout, M. B. & Austad, S. N., Nov 2024, In: PloS one. 19, 11 November, e0312440.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Clippers are superior to scissors in the collection of hair for chemical analysis in companion dogs: a Dog Aging Project preliminary studyDitzler, B., Evans, J. B., Illing, K., Kaeberlein, M., Promislow, D. E. L., Brindle, E., Hoffman, J. M. & Creevy, K. E., May 2024, In: American Journal of Veterinary Research. 85, 5, p. 1-7 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Analysis of 2,570 responses to Dog Aging Project End of Life Survey demonstrates that euthanasia is associated with cause of death but not ageDog Aging Project Consortium, Feb 2024, In: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 262, 2, p. 1-10 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Amino acid restriction, aging, and longevity: an updateAustad, S. N., Smith, J. R. & Hoffman, J. M., 2024, In: Frontiers in Aging. 5, 1393216.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
THE BENEFITS OF A PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM AMONG BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE A MASTECTOMYAsbury, E., Bennett, H., Cannon, J. & Kindred, M., 2024, In: Journal of Cancer Rehabilitation. 7, 2, p. 80-92 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Blockade of interleukin-6 trans-signaling prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence in retinal endothelial cellsHoffman, J. M., Robinson, R., Greenway, G., Glass, J., Budkin, S. & Sharma, S., Dec 2023, In: Experimental eye research. 237, 109721.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Production of a p65fl/fl/LysMCre mouse model with dysfunctional NF-κB signaling in bone marrow-derived macrophagesKorkaya, A. K., Fischer, J., Peppers, A., Crosson, S. M., Rayamajhi, M., Miao, E. A., Baldwin, A. S. & Bradford, J. W., Nov 2023, In: Innate Immunity. 29, 8, p. 171-185 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Orchiectomy sensitizes cortical bone in male mice to the harmful effects of kynurenineBensreti, H., Yu, K., Alhamad, D. W., Shaver, J., Kaiser, H., Zhong, R., Whichard, W. C., Parker, E., Grater, L., Faith, H., Johnson, M., Cooley, M. A., Fulzele, S., Hill, W. D., Isales, C. M., Hamrick, M. W. & McGee-Lawrence, M. E., Aug 2023, In: Bone. 173, 116811.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Assessing tolerability and physiological responses to 17α-estradiol administration in male rhesus macaquesStout, M. B., Vaughan, K. L., Isola, J. V. V., Mann, S. N., Wellman, B., Hoffman, J. M., Porter, H. L., Freeman, W. M. & Mattison, J. A., Aug 2023, In: GeroScience. 45, 4, p. 2337-2349 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Lactating SKH-1 furless mice prioritize own comfort over growth of their pupsHoffman, J. M., Schmitz, B., Pfabe, J. U., Ohrnberger, S. A. & Valencak, T. G., Aug 2023, In: Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology. 193, 4, p. 453-459 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Gut Microbiome Transplants and Their Health Impacts across SpeciesLevine, B. H. & Hoffman, J. M., Jun 2023, In: Microorganisms. 11, 6, 1488.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
Sulforaphane has an additive anticancer effect to FOLFOX in highly metastatic human colon carcinoma cellsČižauskaitė, A., Šimčikas, D., Schultze, D., Kallifatidis, G., Bruns, H., Čekauskas, A., Herr, I., Baušys, A., Strupas, K. & Schemmer, P., Nov 2022, In: Oncology Reports. 48, 5, 205.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
MicroRNA cargo of extracellular vesicles released by skeletal muscle fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells is significantly altered with disuse atrophy and IL-1b deficiencyParker, E., Mendhe, B., Ruan, L., Marshall, B., Zhi, W., Liu, Y., Fulzele, S., Tang, Y. L., McGee-Lawrence, M., Lee, T. J., Sharma, A. K., Johnson, M., Chen, J. & Hamrick, M. W., Aug 2022, In: Physiological Genomics. 54, 8, p. 296-304 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Development of a novel purification protocol to isolate and identify brain microgliaDoughty, D., Rajpurohit, S. K., Trang, A., Alptekin, A., Korkaya, A. K., Achyut, B. R., Arbab, A. S. & Bradford, J. W., Aug 2022, In: Experimental Biology and Medicine. 247, 16, p. 1433-1446 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
The Glucocorticoid Receptor in Osterix-Expressing Cells Regulates Bone Mass, Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue, and Systemic Metabolism in Female Mice During AgingPierce, J. L., Sharma, A. K., Roberts, R. L., Yu, K., Irsik, D. L., Choudhary, V., Dorn, J. S., Bensreti, H., Benson, R. D., Kaiser, H., Khayrullin, A., Davis, C., Wehrle, C. J., Johnson, M. H., Bollag, W. B., Hamrick, M. W., Shi, X., Isales, C. M. & McGee-Lawrence, M. E., Feb 2022, In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 37, 2, p. 285-302 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Long Non-coding RNA MALAT1 Is Depleted With Age in Skeletal Muscle in vivo and MALAT1 Silencing Increases Expression of TGF-β1 in vitroRuan, L., Mendhe, B., Parker, E., Kent, A., Isales, C. M., Hill, W. D., McGee-Lawrence, M., Fulzele, S. & Hamrick, M. W., Jan 21 2022, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 12, 742004.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Hindlimb Immobilization Increases IL-1β and Cdkn2a Expression in Skeletal Muscle Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitor Cells: A Link Between Senescence and Muscle Disuse AtrophyParker, E., Khayrullin, A., Kent, A., Mendhe, B., Youssef El Baradie, K. B., Yu, K., Pihkala, J., Liu, Y., McGee-Lawrence, M., Johnson, M., Chen, J. & Hamrick, M., Jan 3 2022, In: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 9, 790437.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Non-invasive photobiomodulation treatment in an Alzheimer Disease-like transgenic rat modelYang, L., Wu, C., Parker, E., Li, Y., Dong, Y., Tucker, L., Brann, D. W., Lin, H. W. & Zhang, Q., 2022, In: Theranostics. 12, 5, p. 2205-2231 27 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Absence of MMF1 disrupts heme biosynthesis by targeting Hem1pin Saccharomyces cerevisiaeWhitaker, G. H., Ernst, D. C. & Downs, D. M., Dec 2021, In: Yeast. 38, 12, p. 615-624 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Tachycardia evoked from insular stroke in rats is dependent on glutamatergic neurotransmission in the dorsomedial hypothalamusMarins, F. R., Limborço-Filho, M., Iddings, J. A., Xavier, C. H., Biancardi, V. C., Stern, J. E., Ramiro Diaz, J., Oppenheimer, S. M., Filosa, J. A. & Peliky Fontes, M. A., Nov 2021, In: European Journal of Neurology. 28, 11, p. 3640-3649 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Role of fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells in muscle atrophy and musculoskeletal diseasesParker, E. & Hamrick, M. W., Jun 2021, In: Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 58, p. 1-7 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
Mitochondrial DNA Haplotype Diversity in Two Portunid Populations Found along the Georgia and South Carolina CoastsAbdulovic-Cui, A., Mannix, S., Coleman, A., White, B., Mingledolph, K. & Reichmuth, J. M., May 1 2021, In: Southeastern Naturalist. 20, 2, p. 367-376 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Arrb1 regulates metabolic reprogramming to promote glycolysis in stem cell-like bladder cancer cellsMamouni, K., Kim, J., Lokeshwar, B. L. & Kallifatidis, G., Apr 2 2021, In: Cancers. 13, 8, 1809.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Induces Non-Canonical Inflammatory and Oxidative Pathways in Human Retinal Endothelial CellsAl-Shabrawey, M., Hussein, K., Wang, F., Wan, M., Elmasry, K., Elsherbiny, N., Saleh, H., Yu, P. B., Tawfik, A. & Ibrahim, A. S., Jan 29 2021, In: Frontiers in immunology. 11, 568795.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Cyclic Nucleotides as Mediators of Acinar and Ductal FunctionAlbers, T. & Sabbatini, M. E., 2021, Cyclic Nucleotides as Mediators of Acinar and Ductal Function. PancreapediaResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review |
Validation of a Carbohydrate Antigen-19-9 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit Using a Mouse Model of Pancreatic CancerMondal, S. & Sabbatini, M., 2021, In: The Arsenal: The Undergraduate Research Journal of Augusta University. 4, 1, p. 27-27 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Research News
Learners to leaders: Undergraduate research enhances the student experience
Learners to leaders: Undergraduate research enhances the student experience
New AU lipidomics group seeks to solve medical condition mysteries
New AU lipidomics group seeks to solve medical condition mysteries