Hannah Watkins
Summary
A highly motivated and results-driven micobiologist with extensive laboratory experience in bacteriology, microbiome analyses, and microbial metabolic interactions.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
USDA-ARS National Animal Disease Center
Ames
03.2020 - 07.2025
- Investigated probiotic- and prebiotic-based methods to manipulate the pig gut microbiome, limiting colonization by enteric pathogens such as Salmonella, and contributing to food-safety research goals.
- Utilized culture techniques, next generation sequencing, and bioinformatic skillsets (R and high-performance computing clusters) to efficiently identify and characterize novel anaerobic bacteria.
- Managed multiple research projects while ensuring laboratory safety protocols, and conducting research in regulated environments.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams (scientists, management, technicians, and students) to streamline workflows and develop research processes.
- Authored and co-authored scientific manuscripts, presented findings to senior researchers, and contributed to publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse
01.2018 - 05.2019
- Investigated the role of Staphylococcus aureus global regulatory gene agr in the expression of staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 1, contributing to the understanding of bacterial pathogenesis.
- Implemented molecular techniques such as PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, and bacterial cloning in the study of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis mechanisms.
- Presented research findings to senior researchers, contributing to scientific publications and advancing knowledge in the field.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Microbiology
Iowa State University
Ames, IA07-2025
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI12.2019
Skills
- Microbial isolation & characterization
- MALDI-TOF MS
- Bioinformatics & data analysis
- Technical communication
- Project management
- Cross-discipline collaboration
- Next-generation sequencing
- ddPCR
Conference Abstracts
- Watkins HR, Loving CL, Anderson CL. 2024. Identifying and isolating primary degraders of resistant potato starch from the swine gastrointestinal tract. Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals, St. Louis, MO.
- Watkins HR, Loving CL, Anderson CL. 2024. Genetic and functional diversity of Prevotella isolated from the swine intestinal tract. ASM Microbe, Atlanta, GA.
- Watkins HR, Loving CL, Anderson CL. 2023. Targeted culturing and characterization of Prevotella from the swine gastrointestinal tract. ASM North- Central Branch Meeting, La Crosse, WI.
- Watkins HR, Wiarda JE, Gabler NK, Loving CL, Anderson CL. 2021. The impact of carbadox on the swine intestinal microbiota and intraepithelial T cell populations post-weaning. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease, Chicago, IL.
- Watkins HR, Trachsel JM, Loving CL, Anderson CL. 2021. Characterization of two novel butyrate-producing species isolated from swine feces. World Microbe Forum.
Publications
- Metabolic and genomic characterization of two novel butyrate-producing Lachnospiraceae isolated from swine feces. biorxiv Dec 2023.
- Intestinal location- and age-specific variation of intraepithelial T lymphocytes and mucosal microbiota in pigs. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. Feb 2023.
- Ixodes scapularis: vector to an increasing diversity of human pathogens in the upper midwest. Wisconsin Medical Journal. Mar 2020.
- Regulation of the staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 1 gene of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in murine abscesses. Toxins. Jul 2019.
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
USDA-ARS National Animal Disease Center
03.2020 - 07.2025
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
01.2018 - 05.2019
Doctor of Philosophy - Microbiology
Iowa State University
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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