Amy V. Callaghan, Ph.D.
Research Interests
The biochemistry and genetics of aerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation have been explored for more than seven decades. However, very little is known regarding the comparable activities and processes in anaerobic bacteria, which are difficult to isolate and characterize. Through the use of genomics, proteomics, metabolite profiling, and molecular tools, my research focuses on elucidating the novel biochemical reactions governing the anaerobic biodegradation of alkanes, paraffins (long-chain alkanes), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These studies ultimately serve as a platform for field investigations aimed toward characterizing microbial communities associated with contaminant degradation.