Haydn Rubelmann

Dedicated professional with strong presentation, research, and communication skills. Proven track record of mentoring students to reach academic goals. Expertise in utilizing diverse learning methods to enhance student engagement and success. Broad academic background lending to multidisciplinary approaches to scientific inquiry.

• Phi Kappa Phi
• National Association of Biology Teachers

My body of work explores microbial ecology across a range of natural and anthropogenic environments, with emphasis on community structure, metabolic function, and microbial adaptation. Initial investigations focused on shallow marine hydrothermal systems, where transect-based sampling revealed how geochemical gradients drive shifts in both bacterial and eukaryotic populations. Functional gene analysis uncovered the ecological roles of sulfur- and carbon-cycling organisms, including studies on tetrathionate reductase, APS reductase, and the unusual citric acid cycle of the chemolithoautotroph Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus.

Comparative studies in submarine springs and anchialine environments further examined how microbial communities respond to environmental pressures. These systems were characterized using both culture-based and molecular approaches, illustrating the link between habitat geochemistry and microbial metabolic potential.

Recent research has turned to host-associated microbiomes, particularly those of marine sponges like Chondrilla nucula in Tampa Bay. These studies provide insight into early metazoan holobionts and the ecological function of fungal and bacterial symbionts. Additional student-driven projects have investigated microbial populations in blue holes, amphibian skin, athletic training facilities, and personal devices. These efforts frequently utilize both traditional and next-generation 16S rDNA sequencing, microbial inhibition assays, and cultivation techniques to identify and characterize novel species and their ecological functions.

A distinguishing feature of my work is its foundation in undergraduate research mentorship. Many projects are inquiry-based, allowing students to lead experimental design and contribute meaningfully to scientific discovery. This approach integrates classical microbiology that students have learned with modern molecular tools to investigate microbial diversity and function in underexplored systems.

Overall, the research reflects a commitment to curiosity-driven science that blends fieldwork, lab-based analysis, and collaborative discovery. It bridges foundational microbial ecology with applied environmental questions, advancing understanding of microbial life across varied ecological contexts.

• Rubelmann, H., Carranza, S. & D. Lazare (2025 - in submission). The microbiome of the Tampa Bay sponge, Chondrilla nucula, sheds light on early metazoan holobionts. Presented at Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA) V, Cartagena, Colombia.
• Rubelmann, H., Karlen, D. J. and J. Garey. (2017). Changes in Eukaryotic and Bacterial Communities along a 120 m Transect Associated with a Shallow Marine Hydrothermal Vent. Frontiers in Marine Science, 4(177). doi: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00177
• Quasem, Ishtiaque, Achille, Alexandra N., Caddick, Brittany A., Carter, Travis A., Daniels, Camille, Delaney, Jennifer A., . . . Scott, Kathleen M. (2017). Peculiar citric acid cycle of hydrothermal vent chemolithoautotroph Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus, and insights into carbon metabolism by obligate autotrophs. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 364(14), fnx148-fnx148. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnx148
• Garman, K.M., Rubelmann, H., Karlen, D.J., Wu, T.H. and J. Garey. Comparison of an inactive submarine spring with an active nearshore anchialine spring in Florida. (2011). Hydrobiologia, 677(1): p. 65-87.
• Rubelmann, H., Karlen, D. J., and J. Garey. Functional analysis reveals metabolic communities along a transect in a shallow hydrothermal system. Sixth Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: the transforming legacy.

• Elliot, A., & Rubelmann, H. (2025). Marine microbial mystery: An attempt at culturing Malassezia from the Tampa Bay sponge Chondrilla nucula [Poster presentation]. College of Natural and Health Sciences, University of Tampa.
• Young, M., & Rubelmann, H. (2024). Exploring the depths: A comprehensive study of the microbial communities in the blue hole, Jewfish Sink [Poster presentation]. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, University of Tampa.
• Santiago Rodríguez, M. I., Rubelmann, H., & LaFond, J. (2024). Exploring the presence of Pseudomonas fragi in cane toad swab samples: Microbial analysis and inhibition testing against Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Poster presentation]. Department of Biology, University of Tampa.
• Schreck, M., & Rubelmann, H. (2024). Starting small in sports: Microbe identification in athletic training facilities [Poster presentation]. College of Natural and Health Sciences, University of Tampa.
• Sandler, T., & Rubelmann, H. (2024). Polymorphic 16S rDNA sequences suggest Microbacterium sp. strain JC787 isolated from student’s iPhone 15 Pro [Poster presentation]. Department of Biology, University of Tampa.
• Caranza, S., & Rubelmann, H. (2023). Cultivable diversity of marine fungi within Chondrilla nucula in Tampa Bay [Poster presentation]. Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Miami, Florida.
• Mortimer, K., & Rubelmann, H. (2021). The oral microflora before, during, and after feeding in Iguana iguana [Poster presentation]. College of Natural and Health Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Tampa.
• Lazare, D., & Rubelmann, H. (2019). Isolating previously uncharacterized microbes from a hypoxic marine sinkhole in the Gulf of Mexico using a Winogradsky column [Poster presentation]. College of Natural and Health Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Tampa.
• Brown, C. M., Rubelmann, H., Franck, A., & Garey, J. The diversity of sulfur oxidizing bacteria utilizing the Sox pathway in a Winogradsky column [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium, Honors Thesis.
• Trinidad, M. L., Rubelmann, H., Franck, A., & Garey, J. Diversity of sulfur reducing prokaryotes using the dissimilatory sulfate reductase (DSR) pathway in complex microbial communities [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium, 1st Place Award.
• Gauthier, G., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Designing primers to probe for prokaryotic species utilizing adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) reductase in a marine environment [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium, Honors Thesis.
• Zimmerman, A., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Tetrathionate reductase: Primer design and metabolite monitoring [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium, 1st Place Award.
• Spencer, W., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Monitoring changes in the microbial communities of plaque and saliva in conjunction with changing to a low pH diet using DGGE [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium.
• Lazaro, M., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Glowing up the Gulf: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to shed light on marine caves [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium.
• Jarvis, S. D., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes for detecting the tetrathionate reductase gene in bacteria [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium.
• Patel, U., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Culturing a complex environmental sample from Jewfish Sink using a Winogradsky column [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium.
• Kuhns, M., Rubelmann, H., & Garey, J. Dissimilatory sulfate reductase (dsr) profiling over two years of an anoxic feature in the Gulf of Mexico [Poster presentation]. University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium.

• National Association of Biology Teachers Conference, Anaheim, California, 2024
• Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA) V, Cartagena, Colombia, 2023
• Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Miami, Florida, 2023
• National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference, 2019
• University of South Florida Summer Teaching Symposium, May 2017
• Sixth Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: The Transforming Legacy, Universidad del Turabo, Puerto Rico, March 15, 2013
• Oktoberfest, University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences, Tampa, Florida, 2012
• 6th Annual Southeast Cell Science Undergraduate Research Symposium, St. Thomas University, Miami, Florida, April 16, 2011
• Bacterial Cell Biology, Puerto Morelos, Mexico, November 16–19, 2010
• University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2009–2012
• Second Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: A Caribbean Perspective, Universidad del Turabo, Puerto Rico, March 20, 2009
• Florence Conference on Phenotype Microarray Analysis of Microorganisms: The Environment, Agriculture, and Human Health, Firenze, Italy, March 29–31, 2008
• American Chemical Society Conference, Orlando, Florida, 2001
• National Collegiate Honors Council Conference: Capital Ideas, Washington, D.C., 2000

• 2024 – University of Tampa Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Grant ($6,533.69)
• 2024 – University of Tampa Office of Undergraduate Research Grant ($3,999.54)
• 2022 – University of Tampa Office of Undergraduate Research Grant ($3,844.44)
• 2017 – Winner, Best Game at the University of South Florida Summer Teaching Symposium: Gamification
• 2013 – Inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
• 2013 – Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida
• 2013 – Travel Grant to attend Sixth Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: The Transforming Legacy
• 2012 – Richard and Patricia Wood Endowment in Natural Sciences Scholarship
• 2011 – Excellent Service Award, INTO USF
• 2010 – Fred L. and Helen M. Tharp Endowed Scholarship
• 2010 – New Researcher Grant, Established Researcher Grant, and Creative Scholarship Grant, USF Division of Sponsored Research
• 2009 – Travel Grant to attend Second Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: A Caribbean Perspective, University of South Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
• 2009 – Certificate of Participation, Second Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: A Caribbean Perspective, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico
• 2008 – Attendance Grant, Florence Conference on Phenotype Microarray Analysis of Microorganisms, Dip. di Biotecnologie Agrarie, Sezione Microbiologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze

• Course design and curriculum development
• Student assessment and engagement
• Class organization and syllabus development
• Career advisement and academic advising
• Assessment design and learning outcome alignment
• Technology integration in education
• Experiential learning methods
• Diversity awareness and inclusion
• Remote instruction strategies
• AI integration in courses
• Active learning methods
• Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL)

• Writing grants and authoring scientific publications
• Leading and serving on academic committees
• Designing and implementing PCR protocols
• Creating clone libraries
• Sequencing and analyzing DNA
• Processing and analyzing both oligonucleotide and BIOLOG phenotype microarrays
• Performing denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)
• Conducting whole genome and next-generation sequencing and analysis
• Culturing microorganisms under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
• Analyzing environmental chemical data
• Using bioinformatics tools (MEGA, R, Primer-E, QIIME 2)
• Performing scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• Designing experiments and analyzing data
• Diving for field-based sampling and research

• Achiever
• Arranger
• Learner
• Input
• Intellection

Dr. James R. Garey
Professor Emeritus, Department of Molecular Biosciences
University of South Florida
📧 jim.garey@gmail.com  | 📞 (813) 966-8133

Dr. Kathleen (K.T.) Scott
Professor & Graduate Program Director, Department of Integrative Biology
University of South Florida
📧 kmscott@usf.edu  | 📞 (813) 974‑5173 

Dr. Valerie J. Harwood
Professor & Chair, Department of Integrative Biology
University of South Florida
📧 vharwood@usf.edu  | 📞 (813) 974‑1524

Dr. Alan R. Franck
Collections Manager, Herbarium, Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
📧 francka@ufl.edu  | 📞 (352) 273‑1984

Dr. Christine Theodore
Associate Professor of Chemistry
University of Tampa
📧 ctheodore@ut.edu  | 📞 (813) 257‑4000

Dr. Nicole Ortega
Assistant Teaching Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Tampa
📧 nortega@ut.edu  | 📞 (813) 257‑3919

Dr. Sara Wilson
Associate Teaching Professor, Biology
University of Tampa
📧 swilson@ut.edu  | 📞 (813) 257‑1716