Martin McGavin

Dr. Martin McGavin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Medicine at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Guelph and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His research focuses on mechanisms by which Staphylococcus aureus senses and adapts to innate immune signals like antimicrobial fatty acids and acidic pH. Key areas include efflux pump regulation, sensor kinase activation under combined stresses, and bacterial colonization strategies.

Education:

• B.Sc. in Applied Microbiology, University of Guelph (1985)
• Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Guelph (1989)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alabama at Birmingham (1989–1992)

Research Themes:

• MRSA antibiotic resistance mechanisms
• Efflux pump function and regulation
• Environmental stress response pathways
• Host-pathogen interactions in colonization/infection

Lab Highlights:

• Investigates fatty acid resistance via RND efflux pumps
• Elucidates GraS sensor kinase roles in phagolysosome adaptation
• Explores metabolic strategies for handling host-derived antimicrobial fatty acids

Recent Publications: Focus on molecular mechanisms of S. aureus survival under innate immune pressures, including efflux pump regulation, sensor kinase signaling, and metabolic adaptations.

Lab Location: Seibens-Drake Research Institute, Room 126.