James McClurg Slauch

James McClurg Slauch is a Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Microbiology Department at the University of Illinois. He holds additional roles as Director of the MD/PhD Medical Scholars Program at Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Professor in Biomedical and Translational Sciences. He is affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of Salmonella pathogenesis, particularly host-pathogen interactions and bacterial survival strategies in macrophages.

• Education: B.S. Biochemistry (Penn State, 1984), Ph.D. Molecular Biology (Princeton, 1990), Postdoc at Harvard Medical School (1990-1993)

Research interests include genetics of virulence factors, regulation of gene expression in pathogenic Salmonella, and the role of environmental signals in pathogenesis. Current projects involve sRNA regulation, superoxide resistance mechanisms, and outer membrane assembly stress. Notable awards include the ASM Academy Fellowship (2014) and University Scholar recognition (2011-2012).

Recent studies investigate Salmonella's survival in macrophages, differential TnSeq screening for oxidative stress targets, and TamAB's role in outer membrane homeostasis. Collaborations with Cari Vanderpool highlight RNA regulatory mechanisms.