معرفی
Caitlin Pepperell is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, jointly appointed in the Department of Medicine (Infectious Disease) and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology within the School of Medicine and Public Health. Her research is centered at the intersection of microbial evolution, genomics, and infectious disease ecology.
- Position: Professor
- Institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Departments: Medicine (Infectious Disease), Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Location: Microbial Sciences Building, Madison, WI
Dr. Pepperell’s research focuses on understanding how bacteria adapt to become pathogens. Her lab investigates mechanisms of pathogen emergence, population structure, genetic basis of drug resistance, tissue invasion, and biofilm formation. Using tools such as experimental evolution, genome-wide association studies, and genomic analyses of natural populations, her work spans diverse bacterial species including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Gardnerella spp. A significant portion of her research explores the role of historical human activities—such as trade, migration, and colonialism—in shaping the global dispersal of tuberculosis.
Her recent publications reveal strong trends in evolutionary genomics, biofilm adaptation, and host-pathogen co-evolution. Work on M. tuberculosis biofilms shows transcriptional reprogramming and rapid adaptation under stress. Studies on phase variation in Gardnerella highlight mechanisms underlying bacterial vaginosis and treatment challenges. Her team also investigates cryptic resistance mechanisms in C. difficile and the evolutionary dynamics of N. gonorrhoeae. These efforts reflect a consistent theme: understanding microbial adaptation through the lens of evolution and genomics.
Dr. Pepperell is actively involved in mentoring and training. She is a trainer in multiple NIH-funded graduate programs, including Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Population Health Sciences, and Genetics. She also participates in training grants such as Microbes in Health and Disease, Molecular Biosciences, Genomic Sciences, and Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine.
Her lab includes postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, research interns, and undergraduate researchers. Alumni have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral positions at Harvard, Institut Pasteur, and other institutions. She has received NIH funding to support postdoctoral researchers, particularly those with expertise in evolutionary genomics, transmission modeling, and statistical genetics.
The Pepperell Lab operates in the Microbial Sciences Building, fostering a dynamic, collaborative, and supportive research environment. The lab emphasizes independent research development and offers opportunities for computational and experimental work. Lab culture is highlighted through events like Bactoberfest, croquet parties, and microbial-themed games, reflecting a strong team-oriented atmosphere.
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