Seth Walk

Seth Walk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Montana State University (MSU), part of the College of Agriculture. He holds a Dual PhD in Zoology & Ecology from Michigan State University (2007). His research focuses on microbial ecology and evolution, particularly how pathogens circulate in hospitals, microbial communities impact human health, and environmental factors influence human-microbe interactions. His lab also explores host-associated microbial transitions and applies ecological theories to improve health outcomes.

Education:

• Dual PhD in Zoology & Ecology, Michigan State University, 2007

Research Interests:

Dr. Walk’s lab investigates:

• Infectious disease dynamics in clinical and environmental settings
• Microbial community structures and their role in health/disease
• Ecological and evolutionary mechanisms shaping microbial populations
• Host-microbe interactions in human and animal systems

Selected Awards:

• Provost’s Distinguished Lecture Series (2021)
• MSU Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Mentorship (2020)

Grants & Engagement:

Recent grants include:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for arsenic detoxification mechanisms
• USDA grants exploring microbiome impacts of agricultural products (e.g., haskap berries)

He also participates in editorial roles for Toxicological Sciences and serves on public health committees.

Labs & Teams:

The Walk Lab is affiliated with MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering and collaborates on projects ranging from microbial ecology to translational health research. The lab develops tools for data analysis and hosts educational programs.