Amy V. Callaghan, Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma
Department of Botany and Microbiology
George Lynn Cross Hall
770 Van Vleet Oval
Norman, OK 73019-4110
PHONE: 405-325-1872 / FAX: 405-325-7619
acallaghan@ou.edu
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2009 |
- |
Present |
Research Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma, Dept. of Botany and Microbiology |
2008 |
- |
2009 |
Adjunct Assistant Professor/Research Scientist, University of Oklahoma, Dept. of Botany and Microbiology |
2006 |
- |
2007 |
Research Scientist, Shaw Environmental, Biotechnology Development and Applications |
2006 |
Environmental Consultant, Engineering and Land Planning Associates, Inc. | ||
2006 |
- |
2008 |
Visiting Scientist, Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment, Rutgers University |
1999 |
- |
2006 |
Graduate Assistant/Graduate Fellow, Rutgers University, Dept. of Environmental Sciences/Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment |
1997 |
- |
1999 |
Graduate Assistant, University of Virginia, Dept. of Environmental Science |
1996 |
Field Assistant, University of Virginia, Dept. of Environmental Science |
ACTIVE FUNDING
National Science Foundation: Biochemistry and Genetics of Anaerobic Alkane Metabolism: Interrogation of Sulfate-Reducing Isolates and Enrichments Using Genome-Enabled and Proteomic Approaches (PI: Amy V. Callaghan; Co-PIs: Boris Wawrik and Joseph M. Suflita).
ConocoPhillips: Extending Knowledge of Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Metabolism: Linking Metabolism, Functional Gene Molecular Markers and the GeoChip (PI: Joseph Suflita; CO-PIs: Amy V. Callaghan, Boris Wawrik, Jizhong Zhou, Lisa Gieg, and Zhili He).
Department of Energy (DOE) Structural Genomics Program: Solving the Crystal Structures and Developing Expression Clones for the Glycyl Radical Enzyme System, Alkylsuccinate Synthase, in Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans AK-01 (PI: Amy V. Callaghan and Boris Wawrik).
PAST FUNDING
Department of Energy (DOE) Microbial Genome Program: Sequencing of Two Sulfate-Reducing Delta-Proteobacteria (Strains AK-01 and Hxd3) Involved in the Anaerobic Activation and Biodegradation of Alkanes.
Boris Wawrik* (Rutgers University, NJ), Amy V. Callaghan* (Rutgers University), Jerome J. Kukor, Lily Y. Young, Gerben J. Zylstra, (Rutgers Univ., NJ), Rachel N. Austin (Bates College, ME), John T. Groves (Princeton Univ., NJ), Ralf Rabus and Friedrich Widdel (Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology, Germany), Joseph M. Suflita, Univ. of Oklahoma, OK) (* Denotes proposal authors)
PUBLICATIONS
Peer Reviewed Papers
Parisi, V.A., K.E. Duncan, A.V. Callaghan, B. Wawrik, B.S. Stephenson, I.A. Davidova, and J.M. Suflita. The structure and functioning of microbial communities within a landfill leachate-contaminated aquifer. In preparation.
Wawrik, B., I.A. Davidova, B.J. Huizinga, Y. Liang, M. Mendivelso, V.A. Parisi, D. Strąpoć , J.M. Suflita, J. Van Nostrand, J. Zhou, and A.V. Callaghan. Field and laboratory studies on the bioconversion of coal to methane. In preparation.
Callaghan, A.V., B.E.L. Morris, I.A.C. Pereira, J.J. Kukor, J.M. Suflita, G.Z. Zylstra, R.N. Austin, J.J. Groves, L.Y. Young, and B. Wawrik. Genome sequence of the anaerobic alkane oxidizer, Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans AK-01. In preparation.
Callaghan, A.V., P.B. Hatzinger, M.T. Lieberman, R.C. Borden, and R.J. Steffan. Degradation of cis-1,2-dichloroethene in the presence of manganese dioxide. In review.
Callaghan, A.V., I.A. Davidova, K. Savage-Ashlock, V.A. Parisi, L. M. Gieg, J.M. Suflita, J.J. Kukor, and B. Wawrik. 2010. Diversity of Benzyl- and Alkylsuccinate Synthase Genes in Hydrocarbon-Impacted Environments and Enrichment Cultures. Environ. Sci. Technol. In press, Featured in the William Glaze Tribute issue. [pdf file] [supplement]
Wawrik, B., A.V. Callaghan, and D.H. Bronk. 2009. Use of inorganic and organic nitrogen by Synechococcus spp. and diatoms on the west Florida shelf as measured using stable isotope probing. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75(21):6662-70. [pdf file]
Schaefer, C., A.V. Callaghan, J.King, K. Christensen, and J. McCray. 2009. DNAPL architecture and dissolution in discretely fractured sandstone blocks. Environ. Sci. Technol. 43(6):1877-83. [pdf file] [supplement] [addendum]
Callaghan, A.V., M. Tierney, C.D. Phelps, and L.Y. Young. 2009. Anaerobic biodegradation of n-hexadecane by a nitrate-reducing consortium. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75(5):1339-44. [pdf file] [supplement]
Callaghan, A.V., B. Wawrik, S.M. Ní Chadhain, L.Y. Young, and G.J. Zylstra. 2008. Anaerobic alkane-degrading strain AK-01 contains two alkylsuccinate synthase genes. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 366(1):142-8. [pdf file]
Callaghan, A.V., L.M. Gieg, K.G. Kropp, J.M. Suflita, and L.Y. Young. 2006. Comparison of mechanisms of alkane metabolism under sulfate-reducing conditions among two bacterial isolates and a bacterial consortium. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72 (6):4274-82. Featured in Journal Highlights in Microbe. [pdf file]
Technical Reports
Callaghan, A.V. Anaerobic biodegradation of hexadecane: Elucidation of activation mechanisms and identification of novel genes. Doctoral Dissertation. 2006. Department of Environmental Sciences. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Callaghan, A.V., Processes governing the distribution of nitrate in the Columbia aquifer at a field site near Oyster, Virginia. Masters Thesis. 1999. Department of Environmental Science. University of Virginia.
Poster Presentations
Metagenomic Analysis of a Methanogenic, Paraffin-Degrading Consortium. A.V. Callaghan, S. Pruitt, I.A. Davidova, J.M. Sulfita, and B. Wawrik. 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. August 22- 27th, 2010. Seattle, WA.
Field and Laboratory Studies on the Bioconversion of Coal to Methane. B. Wawrik, A.V. Callaghan, I.A. Davidova, Y. Liang, K. Martin, M. Mendivelso, V. A. Parisi, J.M. Suflita, J. Van Nostrand, J. Zhou, B.J. Huizinga, and D. Strąpoć. 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. August 22- 27th, 2010. Seattle, WA.
The Anaerobic Biodeterioration of Diesel Fuel and the Biocorrosion of Carbon Steel. C. Lyles, I.A. Davidova, D. Aktas, A.V. Callaghan, J. Lee, B. Little, and J.M. Suflita. 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. August 22- 27th, 2010. Seattle, WA.
The Complete Genome Sequence Of Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans Strain AK-01, A Sulfate-Reducing Delta-Proteobacterium That Activates Alkanes Via Fumarate Addition. B. Wawrik, R.N. Austin, J.T. Groves, J.J. Kukor, R. Rabus, J.M. Suflita, F.Widdel , L.Y. Young, G.J. Zylstra, and A.V. Callaghan. Second International Symposium on Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems. June 17-19th 2009. Arhus, Denmark.
Molecular Detection Of Genes Involved In Anaerobic Alkane Degradation In Hydrocarbon-Impacted Environments And Enrichment Cultures. A.V. Callaghan, L.M. Gieg, R.S. Norman, V. Parisi, I. Davidova, J.M. Suflita, J.J. Kukor, and B. Wawrik. Second International Symposium on Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems. June 17-19th 2009. Arhus, Denmark.
DNAPL Dissolution in Fractures and Fracture Networks. C. Schaefer, A. Callaghan, J. King, K. Christensen, and J. McCray. Sixth International Battelle Conference Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Monterey, CA, 2008
Degradation of cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene in Aquifer Sediments in the Presence of Manganese Dioxide. A.V. Callaghan, P.B. Hatzinger, R.C. Borden, M. T. Lieberman, and R.P. Rogero. Sixth International Battelle Conference Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, Monterey, CA, 2008
The Complete Genome Sequence of Desulfococcus oleovorans Hxd3, a Sulfate-Reducing, Alkane-Degrading Bacterium. A.V. Callaghan, R. N. Austin, J. T. Groves, J. J. Kukor, R. Rabus, F. Widdel, L. Y. Young, G. J. Zylstra, and B. Wawrik. American Society for Microbiology 108rd General Meeting, Boston, MA, 2008.
Evidence of Carboxylation as the Initial Step in Hexadecane Activation by a Denitrifying Consortium. A.V. Callaghan and L.Y. Young. Center for Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Annual Meeting, Princeton University, 2005.
Evidence of Carboxylation as the Initial Step in Hexadecane Activation by a Denitrifying Consortium. A.V. Callaghan and L.Y. Young. American Society of Microbiology 105th General Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Characterization of a Denitrifying, Hexadecane-Degrading Consortium. A.V. Callaghan, S. Banks, and L.Y. Young. American Society of Microbiology 104th General Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2004.
Characterization of a Denitrifying, Hexadecane-Degrading Consortium. A.V. Callaghan, S. Banks, and L.Y. Young. Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Gordon Research Conference, Bates College, ME, 2004.
Fumarate Addition During Hexadecane Degradation by the Sulfate-Reducer AK-01. A. V. Callaghan, L. M. Gieg, K.G. Kropp, J.M. Suflita, and L.Y. Young. American Society for Microbiology 103rd General Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2003.
Fumarate Addition During Hexadecane Degradation by the Sulfate-Reducer AK-01. A.V. Callaghan, L.M. Gieg, K.G. Kropp, J.M. Suflita, and L.Y. Young. Center for Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Annual Meeting, Princeton University, 2003.
A Rhodococcus sp. Isolated from Petroleum-Contaminated Sediment Under Nitrate-Reducing Conditions. A.V. Callaghan, D.J. Scala, and L.Y. Young. American Society of Microbiology 102nd General Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, 2002.
A Rhodococcus sp. Isolated from Petroleum-Contaminated Sediment Under Nitrate-Reducing Conditions. A.V. Callaghan, D.J. Scala, and L.Y. Young. Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Gordon Research Conference, Andover, NH, 2002.
A Rhodococcus sp. Isolated from Petroleum-Contaminated Sediment Under Nitrate-Reducing Conditions. A.V. Callaghan, D.J. Scala, and L.Y. Young. Biodegradation and Bioremediation Meeting, Asilomar, California, 2002.
INVITED TALKS AND SEMINARS
Bioremediation: The Mighty Microbe and Environmental Forensics. Science Café Norman seminar series. Norman, OK. April 1, 2010.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of Alkanes: Biocatalysis and Genes. University of Oklahoma. Department of Botany and Microbiology. ASM Student Chapter Meeting. September 10, 2009.
Diversity of alkylsuccinate synthase genes in hydrocarbon-impacted environments. University of Oklahoma. Department of Zoology EcoMunch Seminar. April 21, 2009.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of Alkanes: The Places We Have Been, Oh, The Places We Will Go! University of Oklahoma. Department of Botany and Microbiology Seminar. February 27, 2009.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of Hexadecane: Elucidation of Activation Mechanisms and Identification of Novel Genes. Shaw Environmental. September 18, 2006. Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
A Novel Glycyl Radical Enzyme Involved in Anaerobic Hexadecane Degradation. Center of Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Annual Meeting. 2005. Princeton University.
Anaerobic Activation of Hexadecane Under Denitrifying and Sulfate-Reducing Conditions: Characterization of Mechanisms and Genes. Environmental Departmental Seminar. Rutgers University. April 13, 2005.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of Alkanes. Center of Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Annual Meeting. 2003. Princeton University.
Processes Governing the Distribution of Nitrate in Coastal Groundwater at a Field Site Near Oyster, VA. Spring Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. 1999. Boston, Massachusetts
ADDITIONAL COURSES/TRAINING
September 7, 2006: Regulatory Training in Underground Storage Tanks (01-040601-30), Rutgers University. Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education
February 8-9, 2006: Environmental Law and Regulation (EL0101CA06). Rutgers University. Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education.
RESEARCH CRUISE EXPERIENCE
2010, August, R/V H.R. Sharp, Chesapeake Bay, VA (Chief Scientist: Boris Wawrik)
2002, January, R/V Cape Henlopen, Lewes, DE to Norfolk, VA (Chief Scientist: Mike Montgomery)
AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Needs Fellowship, 2001 to 2004
ASM Student Travel Grant Award, 2004
ASM Student Travel Grant Award, 2002
Microbial Diversity 2000, Marine Biological Laboratory, Scholarship
Rutgers University, Special Study Opportunity Award
Univ. of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences Odum Research Award
SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES
Ad hoc reviewer: Environmental Science and Technology, The ISME Journal
Judge for 2010 Student Research and Performance Day, University of Oklahoma, March 26, 2010
2010 – Present: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Steering Committee, University of Oklahoma
NSF Panel Reviewer, Molecular Biosystems Cluster (Fall 2009)
Student Advocacy Day, Washington, D.C. (Fall 2003): An annual event held in Washington, DC to garner congressional support for graduate education.
Douglas Science Career Exploration Day: Douglas Project for Rutgers Women in Math, Science and Engineering (Fall 1999): Discussion groups with high school students focusing on educational and career opportunities for women in the fields of math, science, and engineering.
Laboratory Tours for Rutgers’ Douglass Project SUPER (Science for Undergraduates: A Program for Excellence in Research): SUPER is an enrichment program for undergraduate women interested in pursuing the sciences, technology, engineering and math fields. (Volunteered several times during graduate school at Rutgers University).
2005, Search Committee for the Executive Dean of Cook College, Rutgers University
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Society of Microbiology
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
International Society for Microbial Ecology
TEACHING
Graduate Student Teaching Assistantships
Grader/Teaching Assistant: Environmental Microbiology and Pollution, Rutgers University, Spring 2001.
Teaching Assistant: Environmental Microbiology Lab, Rutgers University, Fall 2002.
Teaching Assistant: Environmental Microbiology Lab, Rutgers University, Fall 2003.
Grader/Teaching Assistant: Biological Principles in Environmental Science, Rutgers University, Fall 2004.
Courses
Summer 2009: Instructor for the Theoretical and Practical Course on Molecular Approaches for In Situ Biodegradation. The United States - European Commission Task Force on Biotechnology Research. University of Oklahoma. May 24st – June 7th, 2009. This course was taught by several professors at the University of Oklahoma and included 25 students (senior graduate students and junior post-doctoral fellows from the EU and the U.S). The goal of the course was to provide hands-on experience in modern, up-to-date biotechnological methods for the analysis of microbes and their activities in the remediation of pollutants in the environment. I co-taught a course section focusing on the extraction of RNA from groundwater samples and RT-qPCR of relevant functional genes. A course manual was developed. The data for the course are being analyzed and assembled for manuscript submission.
Summer 2010: Instructor for Environmental Forensics: An Introduction to Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Biology. This course was designed for 8th – 12th graders. It was co-developed and co-taught with Dr. Boris Wawrik as part of our NSF outreach efforts. We hosted 4 students and one teacher from an economically-disadvantaged school system in rural Oklahoma. Class activities included: collection of environmental samples, media preparation, aseptic technique, isolation of microorganisms, gram-staining, DAPI counts, DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing. A course manual was developed.