Sean Crosson

Sean Crosson serves as the Rudolph Hugh Endowed Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology at Michigan State University with additional affiliation through the BioMolecular Science Gateway.

His academic credentials include:

• B.A. from Earlham College (1996)
• Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2002)
• Post-doctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine (2003-2005)

Crosson's research investigates bacterial adaptation mechanisms across environmental spectra—from freshwater and soil ecosystems to mammalian intracellular niches—with emphasis on Alphaproteobacteria including pathogenic Brucella species, model organism Caulobacter crescentus, and marine photoheterotroph Erythrobacter litoralis. His laboratory employs interdisciplinary methodologies to decode physiological responses to dynamic chemical and physical landscapes, while collaborative projects explore Bacteroides fragilis contributions to inflammatory bowel diseases through gut microbiome analyses.

Professional recognition includes:

• Rudolph Hugh Endowed Professorship

He mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers who drive diverse projects within his laboratory, teaching MGI 499: Undergraduate Research while overseeing experimental design across bacterial culture, molecular genetics, and physiological assessment frameworks.

The Crosson Lab operates as a cross-functional research unit integrating microbiological, biochemical, and clinical approaches to elucidate fundamental bacterial survival strategies with translational implications for infectious disease and microbiome therapeutics.