Jessica Sheldon

Jessica Sheldon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine. She joined the university in 2022 after completing postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Skaar.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Microbiology and Immunology (2015) from the University of Western Ontario
• MSc in Biology (2009) from Lakehead University
• HBSc in Biology (2006) from Lakehead University

Dr. Sheldon's research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of multidrug resistant bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii. Her work investigates the tug of war between host nutritional immunity and bacterial nutrient acquisition strategies. She examines how pathogens overcome host-imposed nutrient limitations, with special attention to metal ion homeostasis and iron acquisition mechanisms. Her laboratory employs techniques in bacteriology, molecular genetics, transcriptomics, and infection modeling to identify virulence mechanisms.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent expertise in bacterial iron acquisition and host-pathogen interactions, with recent work increasingly focused on Acinetobacter baumannii's evasion of nutritional immunity during infection. The trajectory of her research shows progression from fundamental studies of iron acquisition in Staphylococcus aureus to translational work on a WHO-designated priority pathogen.

Dr. Sheldon has established an active research program on multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens, with particular emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms that enable pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii to overcome host defenses. Her work has significant implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections.