Shannon Manning

Shannon Manning, Ph.D., M.P.H., is an MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University. As a molecular biologist and epidemiologist, she specializes in the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics of infectious diseases, particularly focusing on food- and waterborne pathogens like Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Group B Streptococcus. Her research integrates molecular biology, population genetics, and phylogenetic methods to understand pathogenesis, virulence, and transmission dynamics.

• Education: M.P.H. and Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology from the University of Michigan (1998 and 2001)
• Appointments: Joined MSU in 2004 as a Research Assistant Professor; promoted to faculty in 2010
• Laboratory: Directs the Manning Lab, which investigates bacterial pathogen evolution and gut microbiome interactions
• Center Leadership: Manages the Thomas S. Whittam Shiga-Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC) Center

Her work on STEC includes creating standardized strain repositories and studying antibiotic resistance emergence. Current projects examine how diarrheal disease and antibiotic use impact gut microbiomes and resistance gene persistence. She has secured NIH funding for dementia risk research linked to microbial factors.

The Manning Lab maintains extensive STEC strain databases and reference sets, including O157 and non-O157 serogroups. Her publications highlight human milk oligosaccharides' antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties against Group B Streptococcus, and she explores environmental toxicants' effects on placental immune responses.