Erin Carr
Lincoln,NE
Summary
NSF postdoctoral fellow fungal biologist with a particular interest in melanized fungi. Research interests in these fungi include identification of new taxa, understanding the biological processes that allow them to occupy a wide range of ecosystems and lifestyles, and how melanin production by these organisms can be utilized for industrial purposes. Extensive experience in developing methods for non-model organisms, as well as lab upkeep and management. Experienced in mentoring multiple undergraduate researchers in a wide range of components associated with my work and their own.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology
National Science Foundation
01.2022 - Current
- Fellowship title: Symbiosis as a Means of Survival for Biological Soil Crust Microbes
- Aims to determine if fungi, algae, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria interact in a closed system without external carbon or nitrogen sources to show microbial symbiosis
- Also aims to determine if excreted melanin plays a role in abiotic resistance.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Isolated, identified, phenotyped, and whole genome sequenced novel melanized fungi from arctic biological soil crust ecosystems
- Developed methods for working with these challenging organisms, including molecular techniques
- Performed experiments to determine specific biological processes of melanized fungi which make them unique from other fungi
- Observed how melanized fungi interact with surrounding microbes in order to survive in nutrient-deplete and abiotically taxing ecosystems.
Lab Research Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Roles were to assist graduate students with various projects; isolate, identify, and phenotype fungal and algal isolates; general microbiology lab upkeep; ensuring the lab met EHS standards.
Lab Technical Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Roles were to care for and maintain live Drosophila spp
- Stocks for genetic work; helped develop laboratory layout and determine large machine purchases for optimal lab upkeep; methods development for new lab upkeep; preparation of food for flies; general lab upkeep.
Undergraduate Research
University of South Florida
01.2013
- Field work: coring and census of Pinus palustris trees in different controlled burn amounts, included extensive use of GPS
- Lab Work: Tree core mounting, sanding, and evaluation, experience in using Microsoft excel and creating a spreadsheet for the P
- Palustris census of over 1,000 trees.
Undergraduate Research
University of South Florida
01.2012
- Field work: catching amphibians, insects, and fish in freshwater environments
- Lab work: working in a sterile environment to remove fungal spores from tadpoles and frogs, other aquatic animal dissections, and taking care of the live animals in a lab setting.
Education
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences - Genetics, Cell, and Molecular Biology -
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.S. in Integrative Biology: Environmental Plant Biology -
University of South Florida-Tampa
Skills
- Laboratory techniques
- Laboratory safety protocols
- Microbiological analysis
- Data Analysis
- Experimental design
- Training and mentoring
- Sample Preparation
- Chemical Handling
- Research coordination
- SOP Development
Affiliations
- Genetics Society of America
- Mycological Society of America
- International Mycological Society
Leadership Experience
- Graduate Student Association, representative of Biological Graduate Student Association, 2018-2019, Attend meetings of the Graduate Student Association for deciding how the greater graduate student body would be affected by University policies, Represent and report back to my BGSA constituents on meeting topics
- Biological Graduate Student Association (BGSA), President, 2017-2018, Plan research symposium for the department, Run meetings for the Biological Graduate Student Association
- BGSA Graduate Student Invited Speaker Committee, Co-chair, 2016-2017, Assist in setting up voting for student-invited speakers to be chosen from
Research Topics And Methods
- Methods development for novel non-model organisms
- Developed new assays for studying difficult to work with organisms
- Methods were either developed completely or adapted from other sources
- Description and characterization of new species
- Characterized, described, and deposited novel fungal taxa
- Followed the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants
- Worked extensively with melanized fungi
- Learned how melanized fungi behave in a laboratory setting
- Maximized their growth rate and density with phenotyping experiments
- Multi-kingdom knowledge and co-culturing
- Performed experiments on bacteria, fungi, and algae to understand their interactions
- Learned the symbiotic capabilities of these organisms for optimal growth
- Versed in multiple molecular methods
- Worked with DNA, RNA, and proteins in understanding melanized fungi
- Sequenced and analyzed fungal and bacterial whole genomes
- Isolated DNA and RNA from melanized fungi for WGS and annotation
- Performed manual annotations of important genes
Guest Lectures And Classroom Panel Participation
- Mycology, Fall 2022, Southern Illinois University, José M. Vargas-Muñiz, Ph.D., Polyextremotolerant Melanized Fungi and the Biological Soil Crust Consortium, Short lecture and Question and Answer Panel
- Microbiology, Spring 2022, State University of New York- Oswego, Samuel McCarthy, Ph.D., Career Panel
- Microbial Diversity, Spring 2022, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Paul Blum, Ph.D., Lifestyles of the Rich and Extreme Fungi, Full Lecture
- Microbiology, Spring 2021, State University of New York- Oswego, Samuel McCarthy, Ph.D., Career Panel
- Microbiology, Fall 2021, State University of New York- Oswego, Samuel McCarthy, Ph.D., Career Panel
- Special Topics: Extremophiles, Fall 2020, State University of New York- Oswego, Samuel McCarthy, Ph.D., Lifestyles of the Rich and Extreme Fungi, Full Lecture
Mentoring
- Marissa Mendez, 08/2023-Current, UCARE awardee, Effect of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Undergraduate Sophomore at UNL
- Adriana Ruiz-Ortiz, 05/2023-08/2023, REU student, Quantification of Lipids in in Exophiala viscosa 03-3 WT, E. viscosa Δpks1, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Potential use in Biofuel Production, Undergraduate at Universidad de Puerto Rico Cayey
- Quin Barton, 08/2021-Current, First Year Research Experience (FYRE) Scholar; UCARE awardee, Melanin Production in E. viscosa; Characterization of the melanin hyper secreter mutant of E. viscosa, Undergraduate Junior at UNL
- Armando Flores, 06/2021-08/2021, REU student, A Co-Op Microcosm? Population Dynamics as Bacterial and Microalgal Species Interaction in Unfavorable Conditions, Undergraduate at California State University - Monterey Bay
- Elizabeth Schouseck, 06/2021-05/2022, UCARE student, Falcarindiol and its Effectiveness as an Antifungal Agent, Ph.D. student at Pennsylvania State University
- Mia Kennedy, 10/2020-06/2021, TRIO and FYRE Scholar, Transforming Methylobacterium spp. for fluorescent tagging; EMS mutagenesis on novel Exophiala spp., Student/Undergraduate researcher at UNMC dental school
- Stephen Allen, 12/2019-05/2020, Undergraduate researcher, Phenotyping fungal isolates, Student
- Jeremy Vinton, 08/2019-12/2019, Undergraduate researcher, Identification of fungal and algal isolates, Lincoln Pediatric Group
- Sarah Grambo, 06/2019-08/2019, REU student, Lipid profiling of polyextremotolerant fungi in multiple growth conditions, Ph.D. Student at Washington University
- Alex Corrigan, 06/2019-08/2019, REU student, Growth effects of Methylobacterium spp. on Arabidopsis thaliana, STEM Ideas Associate at ChemTreat
- Mitchell Sullivan, 02/2017-02/2019, Undergraduate researcher, Identification of fungal and algal isolates, Medical Laboratory Technologist at Bryan Health
- Javier Omar, 06/2015-08/2015, REU student, Effects of algal phytohormones on lipid accumulation in extremophile fungi
- Cecile Renfro, 05/2015-12/2016, Undergraduate researcher, Co-culture of Exophiala dermatitidis and Chlorella sorokiniana; Maintaining fungal cultures, Soil Conservationist at Natural Resources Conservation Service
Research
- National Science Foundation, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2022–Present, Steven Harris, Ph.D., Wayne Riekhof, Ph.D., Symbiosis as a Means of Survival for Biological Soil Crust Microbes, Determine if fungi, algae, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria interact in a closed system without external carbon or nitrogen sources to show microbial symbiosis, Determine if excreted melanin plays a role in abiotic resistance
- Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2015–2022, Steven Harris, Ph.D., Wayne Riekhof, Ph.D., Isolated, identified, phenotyped, and whole genome sequenced novel melanized fungi from arctic biological soil crust ecosystems Developed methods for working with these challenging organisms, including molecular techniques Performed experiments to determine specific biological processes of melanized fungi which make them unique from other fungi Observed how melanized fungi interact with surrounding microbes in order to survive in nutrient-deplete and abiotically taxing ecosystems
- Lab Research Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2014–2015, Steven Harris, Ph.D., Assist graduate students with various projects, Isolate, identify, and phenotype fungal and algal isolates, General microbiology lab upkeep, Ensure the lab met EHS standards
- Lab Technical Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2014–2015, Colin Meiklejohn, Ph.D., Kristi Montooth, Ph.D., Care for and maintain live Drosophila spp. stocks for genetic work, Help develop laboratory layout and determine large machine purchases for optimal lab upkeep, Methods development for new lab upkeep, Preparation of food for flies, General lab upkeep
- Undergraduate Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 2013, Gordon Fox, Ph.D., Jamie Gulvna, Coring and census of Pinus palustris trees in different controlled burn amounts, included extensive use of GPS, Tree core mounting, sanding, and evaluation, experience in using Microsoft excel and creating a spreadsheet for the P. palustris census of over 1,000 trees
- Undergraduate Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 2012, Jason Rohr, Ph.D., Taegan McMahon, Ph.D., Brittany Sears, Catching amphibians, insects, and fish in freshwater environments, Working in a sterile environment to remove fungal spores from tadpoles and frogs, other aquatic animal dissections, and taking care of the live animals in a lab setting
Academic Service
- Genetics Society of America’s Peer Review Training Program, 2024-Present
- Developed monthly meetings for Polyextremotolerant fungi researchers, 2022-Present, Virtual monthly Zoom meetings to discuss collaborations, review writing, grant writing, and conference meet-ups
- Development and implementation of Undergraduate Lab Techniques Workshops, 2022-Present, Developed free workshop series for undergraduate students to teach lab techniques
- Article Peer Reviewer, 2020, Algal Research
- Executive Secretary to the grant review Panel Chair, 2018, NASA solicitation for the Exobiology Program: Advanced Life panel
Public Outreach
- Letters to a Pre-Scientist, 2023, Pen pal with an underprivileged 5th-11th grade student; 4 letters throughout the year
- Volunteer for Women in Science conference, 2023, Taught girls in grades 9-12 about scientific research techniques and experimentation
- Volunteer at Dinosaurs and Disasters, 2023, Taught children of all ages about microbes, using hands-on craft supplies
- Judge for School of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2021, Judged four undergraduate research project posters on their scientific merit and layout
- Volunteer at Dinosaurs and Disasters, 2020, Taught children of all ages about microbes, using hands-on craft supplies
- REU student Mock Research Symposium presenter, 2019, Presented poster to summer REU students to teach them about poster presentations
- Volunteer for Women in Science conference, 2019, Taught girls in grades 9-12 about scientific research techniques and experimentation
- REU student Mock Research Symposium, 2018, Presented poster to summer learning undergrads to teach them about poster presentations
- Volunteer for Sunday with a Scientist, 2018, Taught children of all ages about microbes, using hands-on craft supplies
- Volunteer for Fascination of Plants Day, 2018, Taught children of all ages about fungi and microscopy
- Volunteer for Dinosaurs and Disasters, 2017, Developed fun activities for children to learn about microbes Taught children of all ages about microbes, using hands-on craft supplies
- Volunteer for Women in Science conference, 2017, Taught girls in grades 9-12 about scientific research techniques and experimentation
- Volunteer for Women in Science conference, 2016, Taught girls in grades 9-12 about scientific research techniques and experimentation
Awards
31st Fungal Genetics Conference – Poster Award, 2022, Deciphering the potential niche of novel black yeast fungal isolates in a biological soil crust based on genomes, phenotyping, and melanin regulation
Laboratory Skills And Techniques
- Novel organism culturing and phenotyping
- DNA isolation, PCR, electrophoresis, and sequencing from microbes including melanized fungi
- RNA isolation and RT-PCR from microbes including melanized fungi
- Protein isolation and Western blotting from fungi and bacteria
- Light and Fluorescent microscopy; staining and fluorescent tagging
- Lipid extraction and Thin Layer Chromatography
- Melanin extraction and purification
- Spectrophotometer, UV-Vis
- Molecular cloning, random mutagenesis, and directed mutagenesis
Publications
Pathogenic potential of polyextremotolerant fungi in a warming world, Carr, EC, Bredeweg, EL, Hamilton, GE, Kurbessoian, T, Williams, AM, PLoS Pathogens Pearls, in review, 2024, Characterization of a novel black yeast fungus, Exophiala viscosa, with insights into its melanin regulation and ecological niche, Carr, EC, Barton, Q, Grambo, S, Renfro, C, Sullivan, MT, Kuo, A, Pangilinan, J, Lipzen, A, Keymanesh, K, Savage, E, Barry, K, Grigoriev, IV, Riekhof, WR, Harris, SD, G3 – Genes, Genomes, Genetics, https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkad110, 2023, Lichens and biofilms: Common collective growth imparts similar developmental strategies, Carr, EC, Harris, SD, Herr, JR, Riekhof, WR, Algal Research, 54, 102217, 2021, Interactions between Polyextremotolerant Fungi and Photoautotrophs are Enhanced by Excreted Melanin, 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA, March 2024, Melanin Excretion from the Novel Black Yeast Exophiala viscosa, 1st FUN-EX IUBMB Focused Meeting on Extremophilic Fungi Conference, University of Ljubljana, Ljunljana, Slovenia, September 2023, Deciphering the potential niche of novel black yeast fungal isolates in a biological soil crust based on genomes, phenotyping, and melanin regulation, 31st Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA, March 2022, You’re Only as Good as Your Partner: How Fungi, Bacteria, and Algae Exchange Nutrients to Survive in Nutrient Deficient Ecosystems, 2020 Cellular and Molecular Fungal Biology Gordon Research Conference, Canceled due to COVID pandemic, June 2020, Polyextremotolerant fungi, Trebouxioid algae, and Methylobacterium bacteria: a Symbiotic trifecta of Biological soil crusts, 30th Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA, March 2019, Ebony and Algal Green: Characterizing Fungal-Algal Interactions in a Biological Soil Crust, 11th International Mycological Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 2018, You’re Only as good as your partner: Extremotolerant Fungi Survivability via Symbiosis, 29th Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA, March 2017
References
- Steven D. Harris, Ph.D., Department Chair, Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, Iowa State University, 2213 Pammel Dr., 515-294-2149, Stevenh1@iastate.edu
- Wayne R. Riekhof, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1901 Vine street, 402-472-8895, wriekhof2@unl.edu
- Kristi Montooth, Ph.D., Susan J. Rosowski Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1104 T street, 402-472-8455, kmontooth2@unl.edu
- Christian Elowsky, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1825 N 38th street, 402-472-2848, celowsky@unl.edu
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology
National Science Foundation
01.2022 - Current
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01.2015 - 01.2022
Lab Research Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01.2014 - 01.2015
Lab Technical Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01.2014 - 01.2015
Undergraduate Research
University of South Florida
01.2013
Undergraduate Research
University of South Florida
01.2012
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences - Genetics, Cell, and Molecular Biology -
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.S. in Integrative Biology: Environmental Plant Biology -
University of South Florida-Tampa