Basic Description of moi

Microbial Communities

I am interested in characterizing the impact of microbial communities on host damage during infection

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology, Ph.D. in Biology (2017-2021)
University of Texas at Austin, Graduate student in Biochemistry (2014- 2017)
University of Texas at Austin, B.S. in Biochemistry (Spring 2013)
Minor in Computer Science

Research Experience

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 2022-Present
Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation.
Co-Advisors: James Cassat & Eric Skaar
• Develop tools for characterizing the spatial structure of the microbe-host environment during infection from multiple imaging sources
• Use human derived intestinal organoids to study host-pathogen interactions during infection

Graduate Research Assistant
Georgia Institute of Technology, Department of Biology. 2017-2021
University of Texas at Austin, Department of Molecular Biosciences. 2014-2017
Advisor: Marvin Whiteley
• Develop software tools to quantify the spatial structure of microbial communities of microscopy images
• Establish novel model systems that mimic microbial physiology from in vivo conditions
• Implement novel software tools to infer interactions between bacteria and host cells

Research Assistant
University of Texas at Austin, Department of Molecular Biosciences. 2013–2014
Advisor: Edward Marcotte
• Assess effectiveness of current sample preparation methods for “shot-gun” proteomics in Mass Spectrometry and develop new methods with improved performance.
• Study single-molecule analysis and its implementation in proteomics
• Assist in experimental design in surface chemistry applications for biological compounds

Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Texas at Austin, Department of Chemistry.2010–2013
Advisor: Jonathan Sessler
• Investigate novel methods for radical induced polymerization
• Synthesize anion selective compounds engineered to function as monomers
• Employ several analytical techniques to identify synthesized compounds
Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, Austin Texas Summer 2011 & 2012
CPRIT SURP Fellow/Undergraduate Researcher
• Researched from primary literature methodology to synthesize assigned compounds
• Performed multi-step synthesis, purification and identification of novel organic compounds derived from parent molecule Zingerone and investigated the in-vitro anticancer activity of synthesized compounds
• Presented investigation results to program committee and undergraduate research forum
UT El Paso, Department of Chemistry. Advisor: Juan Noveron Intern/Undergraduate Researcher • Pursued individual project on functionalization of carbon nanotubes • Implemented novel methods for the formation of carbon nanotubes-based Summer 2010 macromolecular compounds

Publications

1. Ibberson CB, Barraza JP, Holmes AL, Cao P, Whiteley M. Precise spatial structure impacts antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus in polymicrobial wound infections. PNAS 2022 *co-first author
2. Kolpen M, Kragh KN, Barraza JP, Faurholt-Jepsen D, Madsen BL,Egelund GB, Vestergaard A, Ravn P, Mabuza Mathiesen IH, Gheorghe AG, Boëtius Hertz F, Qvist T, Whiteley M, Jensen PO, Bjarnsholt T. Bacterial biofilms predominate in both acute and chronic human lung infections. Thorax 2022.
3. Barraza JP, Whiteley M. A P. aeruginosa antimicrobial affects the biogeography but not fitness of S. aureus during co-culture. MBio 2021
4. Kim D,Barraza JP, Arthur RA, Hara A, Lewis K, Liu Y, Scisci EL, Hajishengallis E, Whiteley M, Koo H. Spatial mapping of polymicrobial communities reveals a precise biogeography associated with human dental caries. PNAS 2020
5. Darch SE, Simoska O,Fitzpatrick M, Barraza JP, Stevenson KJ, BonnecazeRT, Shear JB, Whiteley M. Spatial determinants of quorum signaling in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection model. PNAS 2018

AWARDS

2021 Aegean International Conference on Oral Mucosal Immunity and Microbiome Trainee Travel Award 2022 The Histochemical Society Travel Award

Oral presentations

2021 “Characterizing the micron scale spatial structure of bacterial communities during infection” Aegean International Conference on Oral Mucosal Immunity and Microbiome, Kos, Greece 2020 “Quantitative characterization of biogeography and metabolic rate in lung infections” Cystic Fibrosis Trust Annual Meeting, Remote 2019 “Rigor and transparency in Science” Emory K-Club, Atlanta, GA 2019 “Spatial structure in model pathogenic bacterial communities” Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection Seminar Series, Atlanta, GA 2018 “The impact of spatial organization on P. aeruginosa antagonism toward S. aureus” ASM Microbe, Atlanta, GA 2018 “The impact of spatial structure in pathogenic bacterial communities” Georgia Tech BioSci Scientific Retreat, Helen, GA 2013 “Novel functionalization of parent molecule zingerone for therapeutic effect against prostate cancer” CPRIT Fellowship Symposium, Austin, TX

Poster Pressentations

2018 “The impact of spatial organization on P. aeruginosa antagonism toward S. aureus” ASM Microbe, Atlanta, GA
2015 “Genetic determinants of P. aeruginosa in an in vitro Cystic Fibrosis model” Molecular Biosciences Retreat, University of Texas at Austin
2013 “Functionalization of zingerone for0 therapeutic effects against prostate cancer” Undergraduate Research Forum, University of Texas at Austin

SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS

2022 “Optical Microscopy & Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences” Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA

Laboratory and Technical Skills

• Extensive experience in microscopy techniques and quantitative image analysis
• Molecular microbiology lab techniques (Aseptic technique, cloning, PCR)
• Experience with abscess and chronic wound models of infection in mice
• Algorithm development in R, MATLAB, Mathematica and 3D modeling with SolidWorks
• Proficiency Java, Python, PHP, MySQL
• 100% bilingual (English/Spanish); read, write and understand French
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infrared & UV-Vis Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry
• Controlled-atmosphere reactions
• Gas Chromatography, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Column Chromatography

Scientific Outreach & Leadership Roles

Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation Postdoctoral Association, Board Member
• Host visiting speakers for seminars
• Organize professional and social events for Postdoctoral fellows Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection Seminar Series, Organizer
• Schedule remote talks
• Select speakers from department submissions
2022-Present 2019-2020
Skype a scientist, Instructor
• Give remote lecture on basic science and career
• Worked with 3 different grade levels: 4th, 7th and 10th
Georgia Tech Cycling, Road vice-president
• Coordinate road closures and safety measur es with city officials
• Schedule and distribute work for volunteers
Georgia Tech Salsa Club, Webmaster • Maintain site for the club
Clubes de Ciencia Mexico, Instructor
• Developed a week-long science program for High School students in Mexico
• Organized and delivered day-long lectures
• Designed and guided experiments based on lecture material
2020 2019-2020 2017-2018
2014 2011-2013 Chatoyant, Vice President
• Organized community service events
• Coordinated events including transportation, venue and catering • Manage annual
budget