Kelly Z. Abshire

Dr. Kelly Z. Abshire is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Miami University, where she focuses on undergraduate education and research in microbiology. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan (1991). Her primary roles include teaching Global Miami Plan Foundation courses such as MBI 111 (Microorganisms and Human Disease), MBI 123 (Experimenting with Microbes), MBI 131 (Community Health Perspectives), and an honors epidemiology course (MBI 361H).

Her research centers on host-pathogen interactions, particularly investigating how Salmonella enterica adapts to intracellular survival within macrophages. Using proteomic techniques, she identified bacterial proteins induced under these conditions. While currently focused on teaching, she advises microbiology capstone projects, mentors pre-health students, and leads the Microbiology Club. She also contributes to the Global Health Studies program.

Dr. Abshire is actively involved in academic advising for microbiology majors and maintains an instructional role without accepting graduate students.