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Catherine A. Axtell
Interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate Program, Iowa State University

 

Office Phone:

515-294-8821

Lab Phone:

515-294-3198

Fax:

515-294-6019

E-Mail

caxtell@iastate.edu

Address

Iowa State University
Interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate Program
207 Science I
Ames, Ia 50011-3211
USA

 

 


Education

Ph.D. candidate in Microbiology, Iowa State University
Proposed thesis title: Construction and use of bacterial sensors to investigate the role of water deprivation in bacterial-plant interactions

Master of Science in Environmental Science, 1998, University of Northern Iowa
Thesis title: Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Explosives

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, 1995, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse

 


Honors and Awards

1999-International Funding for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Associates, College of Agriculture, Iowa State University

1997-Hartman Graduate Fellowship, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University

1997-Dean's List at University of Northern Iowa

1995-Dean's List at University of Wisconsin at La Crosse

1994-Jesse Ondell Biology and Chemistry Scholarship at University of Wisconsin at La Crosse

 


Research and Professional Experience

Fall 2002

Teaching Assistant, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, Introduction to Microbiology.  Instructor: Dr. E. Braun. 2 credits, 2 contact hours per week for semester (152 students).  Graded assignments and projects, prepared and delivered two lectures.

Spring 2000, 2001 and 2002

Teaching Assistant, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, Techniques in Molecular Biology Laboratory. Instructor: Dr. G. Beattie. 1 credit, 8 contact hours per week for 5 weeks (11 to 27 students).  Contributed to course development, performed preparatory experiments, prepared solutions and cultures, and graded exams and assignments.

Fall 1997 to Present

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University. Major Professor: Dr. G. Beattie. Project: to construct and characterize a water deprivation-responsive bacterial biosensor, to determine the spatial distribution of the bacterial cells that were exposed to water deprivation on leaves under various environmental conditions, to quantify the level of water deprivation sensed by bacteria on leaves under various environmental conditions.  Supervised research projects of several undergraduate students.

Fall 1997 and Spring 1998

Teaching Assistant, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, General Microbiology Laboratory. Instructors: Drs. D. Bazylinski and L. Halverson. 2 credits, 8 contact hours per week (30 students).  Prepared and presented all lectures, prepared and graded exams, performed preparatory experiments, and prepared microbial cultures.

Fall 1995 to Spring 1997

Graduate Research Assistant, Environmental Science, University of Northern Iowa. Major Professor: Dr. J. Bumpus. Assisted with Microbiology lab (Fall 1995) Project: examined the ability of two white rot fungi grown on a spent industrial product to degrade three explosives, TNT, HMX and RDX, into non-toxic intermediates and, eventually, carbon dioxide both in the laboratory and field (Yorktown Naval Base, VA).

May 1993 to August 1995

Physical Science Technician, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Research Center, La Crosse, WI. Supervisor: Dr. G. Stehly. Duties: assisted with laboratory work on benzocaine approval by the FDA, completed poster and slide presentations for supervisors, data entry, prepared a database of articles in ProCite and budget work.

 


Publications

Axtell, C. A. and G. A. Beattie.  Construction and characterization of a proU-gfp transcriptional fusion that measures water availability in a microbial habitat.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2002. 68:4604-4612

Axtell, C., C.G. Johnston and J.A. Bumpus. Bioremediation of soil
contaminated with explosives at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. Soil and Sediment Contamination, 2000. 9:537-548.

Beltz L. A., D. R. Neira, C. A. Axtell, S. Iverson, W. Deaton, T. J.
Waldschmidt, J. A. Bumpus and C. G. Johnston. Immunotoxicity of
Explosives-Contaminated Soil Before and After Bioremediation. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2001. 40:311-317.

Johnston C. G., M. A. Becerra, R. L. Lutz, M. A. Staton, C. A. Axtell and B. D. Bass. 1997. Fungal Remediation of PCP and TNT Contaminated Soil in the Field. pp537-544. In: In situ and On-Site Bioremediation: Proceedings from the 4th International In situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, New Orleans, LA, April 28-May 1, 1997. Battelle Press, Columbus, OH.

 


Book chapters

Beattie, G. A. and C. A. Axtell.  The use of a proU-gfp transcriptional fusion to quantify water stress on the leaf surface.  In:  S. A. Leong, C. Allen, and E. Triplett (eds), Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions Vol 3.  IS-MPMI Press, St. Paul, MN. 

 

 

Poster Presentations

 

Axtell, C. A. and G. A. Beattie.  Use of a proU-gfp transcriptional fusion to quantify water stress on the leaf surface.  Plant Sciences Institute: Scientific Symposium, Ames, IA.  October 19, 2001.

 

Axtell, C. A. and G. A. Beattie.  Use of a proU-gfp transcriptional fusion to quantify water stress on the leaf surface.  10th Annual Meeting for International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Madison, WI.  July 10-14, 2001.

Beltz, L. A., D. R. Neira, C. A. Axtell, S. Iverson, W. Deaton, T. J. Waldschmidt, J. A. Bumpus, and C. G. Johnston. Immunotoxicity of Explosives-Contaminated Soil Before and After Bioremediation. 7th Annual BBMB Symposium: The Biochemistry of Plant Defenses, Ames, IA. November 10-11, 2000.

Axtell, C. A., and G. A. Beattie. Comparison of Fluorescent Markers as Second Markers for GFP-Based Reporter Systems. 1999 North Central Branch Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Ames, IA. October 15-16, 1999.

Axtell, C. A., and G. A. Beattie. Fluorescence-Based Approach for Evaluating the Influence of Water Stress on Bacterial Leaf Colonization. 9th Annual Meeting for International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Amsterdam, Netherlands. July 25-30, 1999.

Axtell, C. A., and G. A. Beattie. The Use of Green Fluorescent Protein for Evaluating the Spatial Distribution of Bacteria on Leaf Surfaces and for Identifying Bacterial Exposure to Water Stress. 99th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, Chicago, IL. May 30-June 3, 1999.

Axtell, C. A., C. G. Johnston and J. A. Bumpus. Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Munitions Waste. 97th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, Miami, FL. May 4-8, 1997.

Johnston C. G., M. A. Becerra, R. L. Lutz, M. A. Staton, C. A. Axtell and B. D. Bass. Fungal Remediation of PCP and TNT Contaminated Soil in the Field. Battelle Meeting, San Diego, CA. April 28-May 1, 1997.

 


Oral Presentations

Beattie, G. A. and C. A. Axtell.  Role of water availability during colonization of leaf surfaces.  Presented by G. A. Beattie at the 94th Annual Meeting for American Phytopathological Society, Milwaukee, WI.  July 27-31, 2002.

 

Axtell, C. A. What Stresses Do Bacteria Sense on the Aerial Leaf Surface?  Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, February 21st, 2001. (invited)

 

Axtell, C. A. Spatial Distribution of Bacteria and the Stresses They Sense During Colonization of Aerial Leaf Surfaces.  Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, March 2nd, 2000. (invited)

Beattie G. A., L. M. Marcell and C. A. Axtell. Bacterial Colonization of Plant Leaves: Studies using Glossy Maize and Glowing Bacteria. Presented by G. A. Beattie at the 1999 North Central Branch Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Ames, IA. October 15-16, 1999.

Axtell, C. A., C. G. Johnston and J. A. Bumpus. . Biodegradation of Explosives by Wood-Rotting Fungi. Iowa Academy of Sciences, Dubuque, IA. April 25-27, 1997

 


Professional Activities

Reviewer for Recycling & Reuse Technology Transfer Center and College of Natural Science, Applied Technology Research at the University of Northern Iowa, 2001.

ISU Microbiology Graduate Student Organization, Treasurer (1998-1999, 2001-present)

ISU Microbiology Graduate Student Organization Member (1997 to Present) - Involved in fundraising, inviting outside speakers, and webpage construction

Member of the American Society of Microbiology

Member of the American Phytopathological Society

Member of the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions