Kelly Rice

Dr. Kelly Rice is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Science at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on bacterial physiology, particularly under extreme conditions such as microgravity, and mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, including biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and virulence factor regulation. She investigates how environmental stressors influence microbial behavior, with a focus on species like Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus.

Her work includes studies on the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death in bacteria, the impact of spaceflight on bacterial metabolism, and the development of antibacterial materials using lignin derivatives. Dr. Rice’s research also explores the transmission of oral bacteria to fetal tissues during late gestation, highlighting the intersection of microbiology and clinical applications.

Publications span topics such as the Cid/Lrg system’s role in Streptococcus mutans metabolism, microgravity-induced proteomic changes in pathogens, and the use of confocal microscopy to analyze biofilm structures. Her contributions advance understanding of bacterial adaptation to environmental stress and translational applications in antimicrobial strategies.