Jeremy Ellermeier

Jeremy Ellermeier, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Midwestern University, holding dual appointments in the College of Graduate Studies and College of Veterinary Medicine. His research program focuses on bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms, particularly investigating Salmonella species and their protein secretion systems.

Dr. Ellermeier's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2008)
• M.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2004)
• B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002)

His research interests center on understanding the twin arginine translocation (Tat) system in Salmonella, which exports properly folded proteins from the cytoplasm to the periplasm. His laboratory has demonstrated that bile salts induce tatABC expression and that Tat-deficient strains show increased sensitivity to cell wall-targeting antibiotics. This work addresses fundamental questions about how bacterial pathogens adapt to host environments and the connections between protein secretion and antibiotic susceptibility.

Dr. Ellermeier's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on bacterial virulence mechanisms, with particular emphasis on regulatory networks controlling pathogenicity islands and host-environment sensing. His work spans from foundational studies of transcriptional regulation to investigations of protein secretion systems and their physiological consequences.

His scientific contributions include:

• Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of SPI-1 type III secretion system
• Characterizing the role of Tat system in bacterial physiology and antibiotic susceptibility
• Investigating how host-derived signals (bile, fatty acids) influence bacterial gene expression
• Exploring connections between cell envelope integrity and antibiotic resistance

Dr. Ellermeier teaches across multiple health professions programs at Midwestern University, including Medical Microbiology, Medical Immunology, Veterinary Immunology, and courses for Physician Assistant and Pharmacy students. His regular instruction in Veterinary Immunology (MICRG 1522) demonstrates his commitment to training future veterinarians in immunological principles.