Jannell Bazurto, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Ph.D. Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.S. Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Florida Atlantic University
I am a bacterial physiologist with a rich background in using mutant analysis to understand cellular metabolism in model bacteria. I performed my thesis work at the University of Wisconsin with Diana Downs, where I studied metabolic integration of thiamine biosynthesis in Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. During my postdoctoral work, with Christopher Marx at the University of Idaho, I integrated omics approaches into my work to characterize experimentally evolved mutants to understand the formaldehyde stress response in Methylobacterium extorquens.
Research Staff
Jan Kucinski, Postdoctoral researcher
I am a molecular biologist with experience using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism. I obtained
my M. Sc. from the University of Warsaw where I studied the role of histone modifications upon stress
in plants. During my PhD work in Andrzej Wierzbicki’s lab at the University of Michigan I focused on
studying RNA metabolism and regulation of gene expression in chloroplasts. In the Bazurto lab I am
focusing on understanding the interaction between methylotrophic bacteria and its plant host as well as
how these methylotrophs regulate gene expression in response to formaldehyde. In my free time I enjoy
taking care of (and staring at) my aquariums and spending time with my family.
Zak Hying, Graduate Student (MICaB)
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
M.S. Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
B.S. Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
A bacterial physiologist by nature I enjoy thinking about how bacteria acquire and use diverse carbon
sources. I gained experience in genetic approaches to study bacteria at the University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee in Mark McBride’s lab where I studied the connection between the Type IX secretion system
and gliding motility in Flavobacterium johnsoniae, and in Sonia Bardy’s lab where I studied the
chemotaxis and surface motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the Bazurto lab I am leveraging my
genetics experience, combined with mutation analysis, -omics, and experimental evolution approaches
to understand the mechanisms M. extorquens uses to transition from multi-carbon to single-carbon
sources. Outside of the lab I am an avid cyclist, home brewer, musician and fan of Liverpool FC.
Deepanshu Singla, Graduate Student (MicE)
Undergraduate Students
Madison Shackelford, undergraduate researcher
Tyler Miller, undergraduate researcher
Dom Sofio, Undergraduate Researcher
Uly Zigmund, Undergraduate Researcher
Lab Alumni
Research Staff
Chandler Hellenbrand
Chin Yi Loh
Jaye McEvoy
Undergraduate Students
Sarah Khaskel
Morgan Swanson
Alexa Peterson
Abigail Jackson
Jennifer Lorenzana
Rotation Students
Leslie Day (PMB)
Joseph Bravo (MicE)
Tony Zmuda (PMB)
High School Mentee
Jalen Nelson