Seth O’Conner

Dr. Seth O’Conner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he teaches Genetics, Microbiology, Immunology, and Cellular and Molecular Biology. He holds a B.S. from the University of Northwestern St. Paul, a Ph.D. in Biology from Mississippi State University, and completed a SPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill.

His research integrates bioinformatic and molecular approaches across two primary domains: (1) Genetic adaptation to novel environments using Arabidopsis thaliana clinostat experiments to simulate microgravity effects, coupled with Oxford Nanopore Sequencing and CRISPR gene editing; and (2) Environmental antibiotic resistance surveillance through the PARE network, enhanced by metagenomic analysis. Additional focus areas include orphan gene evolution in Arabidopsis and Drosophila systems.

Publications demonstrate concentrated work in plant biotechnology, particularly CRISPR-mediated crop enhancement for protein yield and disease resistance in soybean and rice. Evolutionary studies explore mitochondrial genome contributions to orphan gene origination, while molecular investigations reveal transcription factors governing plant immunity and development.

Awards & Grants:

• SPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowship (UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Association of Biological Laboratory Education Grant for developing the CURE course 'Plant Biotechnology in Space'

Mentors 11+ undergraduate researchers in projects spanning CRISPR engineering, Drosophila genomics, and spaceflight botany, resulting in presentations at national conferences including Entomology Society of America and PURC Symposium. Leads the O’Conner Lab focusing on orphan gene evolution and environmental antibiotic resistance.