David Hershey

David Hershey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on understanding how bacteria transition to surface-associated lifestyles, with a particular emphasis on mechanisms of surface colonization, polysaccharide assembly, and signal integration in Caulobacter crescentus. He leads a lab dedicated to interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, biochemistry, and structural biology.

Education:

• B.S. in Biochemistry, Iowa State University (2010)
• Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of California – Berkeley (2016)
• Postdoctoral Research: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Chicago

Research Interests:

Hershey’s lab investigates how bacteria sense and respond to environmental cues to initiate surface adhesion. Key areas include flagellar motility’s role in mechanosensing, signal transduction networks integrating diverse stimuli, and the synthesis of complex polysaccharides critical for colonization. Recent work explores engineering bacterial systems for biomanufacturing applications.

Recent Trends in Publications:

Publications highlight advancements in flagellar signaling pathways, exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and protease regulation in magnetotactic bacteria. Themes include mechanosensing, polysaccharide engineering, and transcriptional regulation of adhesion systems.

Lab Team:

• Graduate Students: Amanda Appel, Chandler Hellenbrand, Sely Peña-Rivera
• Postdocs: Rachel Salemi, Guy Sobol
• Undergraduates: Daniel Novacek

Lab Location:

Housed in the Microbial Sciences Building (Room 4476), the lab emphasizes collaborative training and career development across academic and industrial pathways.