Melody Neely

Melody Neely is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Maine, affiliated with the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on host-pathogen interactions during streptococcal infections using zebrafish models.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology, Eastern Michigan University (1994)
• Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine (1998)
• Postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine (1999-2001)

Her lab investigates bacterial virulence strategies, immune evasion mechanisms, and common pathogenic traits across Streptococcus species and other pathogens like P. aeruginosa and V. cholerae. Key themes include host immune response, sepsis, and necrotizing infections.

Recent publications highlight her work on streptococcal virulence factors, immune system exploitation, and zebrafish as a model for human bacterial diseases. Collaborations extend to aquatic zoonotic pathogens and Vibrio cholerae transmission studies.

Students:

• Katie Patenaude (Dissertation Student)