Charles W. Kaspar

Charles W. Kaspar is a Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He holds affiliations with the Food Research Institute and the Department of Animal Sciences, and is part of the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center. His research focuses on the transmission and evolution of enteric pathogens such as EHEC (Escherichia coli) and Salmonella, particularly their survival mechanisms in bovine hosts and environments. Key areas include stress response systems, prophage-mediated genomic rearrangements, and pathogen persistence in food production settings.

Education: BS in Microbiology from University of Nebraska-Omaha (1980), MS (1983) and PhD (1986) in Bacteriology from Iowa State University, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland.

Research emphasizes understanding pathogen adaptation to environmental stresses (e.g., bile, acid, desiccation) and host interactions. His studies on Salmonella filamentation and EHEC genome diversification highlight mechanisms enabling pathogen survival and transmission. Teaching includes Microbiology 325: Food Microbiology.

Key contributions include identifying how prophage elements influence EHEC genome plasticity and developing interventions to reduce pathogen shedding in cattle (e.g., chitosan microparticle trials). His work bridges fundamental microbiology with applied food safety solutions.