John Stavrinides

John Stavrinides is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Biology at the University of Regina's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on understanding bacterial pathogenesis, host-microbe interactions, and the evolutionary genomic mechanisms underpinning host-specific virulence in cross-kingdom pathogens like Pantoea agglomerans. He leads studies on the genetic basis of pathogen adaptation, leveraging comparative genomics, bioinformatics, and experimental models involving plants, insects, and nematodes.

Research emphasizes the emergence of clinical Pantoea isolates, their genomic differences from environmental strains, and the role of antimicrobial resistance in disease progression. Key contributions include identifying novel antibiotic production pathways in Pantoea and advancing genomic tools for pathogen classification within Enterobacterales.

His work bridges basic microbiology with clinical relevance, addressing global health challenges posed by evolving bacterial pathogens. The Stavrinides Laboratory actively develops methods for high-throughput antibiotic discovery and promotes metagenomic education through innovative teaching modules.