2017 Meeting

Dr. Peggy Cotter

Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

NC ASM Branch Distinguished Lecturer

Dr. Peggy Cotter is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Cotter received her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Psychobiology, and her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2001, she became an associate professor at the University of California Santa Barbara, and in 2009 was recruited to UNC, Chapel Hill where she is currently a full professor. Dr. Cotter’s current research investigates the role of gene regulation and regulated factors in establishment, maintenance, and transmission of bacterial respiratory tract infections.

The Cotter Lab has a long-­‐‑standing interest in understanding molecular mechanisms used by bacteria to cause disease. Her group’s research centers on two important human pathogens, Bordetella spp. and Burkholderia spp., specifically focusing on how and why bacteria differentially regulate the expression of virulence factor-­‐‑encoding genes in response to the various environments they encounter throughout the infectious process, the secretion and function of proteins secreted by the Two Partner Secretion (TPS) pathway, as well as bacterial Contact Dependent Inhibition (CDI) systems.

Dr. Cotter is the current National President of the American Society of Microbiology. Founded in 1899 as the Society of American Bacteriologists, the ASM currently includes more than 40,000 members, half of which are located outside the United States. The ASM’s mission is to advance the microbiological sciences by supporting education and training programs for microbiologists, publishing books and journals, advocating on public policy issues, and convening meetings and conferences. Dr. Cotter will be presiding over ASM Microbe, to be held in Atlanta Georgia June 7-­11, 2018.

Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou

Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Professor, NC State University

North Carolina Invitational Speaker

Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou is the Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Scholar in Probiotics Research in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences at NC State University. Dr. Barrangou is originally from Paris, France where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the Université Paris 5 René Descartes. Dr. Barrangou holds two Masters Degrees, one in Biological Engineering from University of Technology in Compiegne, and one in Food Science from NC State University. He received his Ph.D. in Functional Genomic from NC State, and went on to earn an Executive MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Dr. Barrangou’s research focuses on beneficial microbes, specifically the occurrence and diversity of lactic acid bacteria in fermented foods, and as probiotics. Using functional genomics, he has focused on uncovering the genetic basis for health-­‐‑promoting traits, including the ability to uptake and catabolize non-­‐‑digestible carbohydrates. While working at Danisco-­‐‑DuPont in Wisconsin, he established the functional role of CRISPR-­Cas as an adaptive immune system in bacteria. Dr. Barrangou is actively involved in industry Co-­‐‑Founding multiple companies including Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. and Locus Biosciences, where he is currently the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Barrangou has received many awards for his pioneering research in CRISPR, including the 2017 National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology, the 2016 Canada Gairdner International Award, and the 2016 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize. He has also been recognized as a faculty scholar by NC State University and was awarded an NC State Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award, and an NC State Food Science Outstanding Young Alumni Award.