Academic Education:

B.S., Biology, Suffolk University
M.S., Biology, Boston University
Ph.D., Cell & Molecular Biology, Boston University


Appointments:

Staff Scientist, The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole (1999-2001)

National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard University School of Medicine, Center for Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research (1997-1999)

Imperial Cancer Research Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Oxford, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1995-1997)

National Institutes of Health Pre-doctoral Fellowship in Molecular Biophysics, Boston University (1993-1995)

Other Professional Activities:

American Society for Microbiology, Northeast Branch Councilor (2008-Current)

ASM Science Educators Network (2004-Current)

American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Congressional Liaison Committee (2001-Current)


Research Interests:

Biology is a story of connections and interactions. I am interested in understanding interactions at the molecular level, and integrating that knowledge into the larger schemes of physiology, ecology, and evolution. Stress response systems are particularly fascinating in this respect. I have looked at molecular interactions in bacterial nutrient transport systems as well as proteins involved in chemotherapeutic drug resistance, blood clotting, and pollution response.

Recently I have launched an undergraduate research program focused on molecular aspects of bioremediation, a process that utilizes naturally occurring microbes to degrade toxins in the environment. We are currently collaborating with environmental technology companies to test a type of bioremediation system that offers improved efficiency relative to the technologies that are currently in widespread use in terms of contaminant removal, energy use, time required for clean-up, and cost . We are probing changes in microbial community structure in contaminated groundwater being treated by bioremediation and developing methods to improve the process. We have devised a molecular test to optimize ongoing treatment that should also be valuable in assessing the suitability of contaminated sites for this novel type of treatment. Five undergraduates have been awarded funding to pursue this research and more than twenty undergraduates have presented their research at meetings. Three undergraduates are co-authors on publications.

Teaching Activities:

My enthusiasm for connections and interactions also informs and propels my teaching in the areas of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology. I focus on practice oriented learning in the classroom, the laboratory, and the community. For example, I integrate student co-op experiences into my Biochemistry course through a biochemical/molecular methods team project. I use group activities in the classroom to enhance analytical skills and guide students through the process of assessing and interpreting the scientific literature. I designed and implemented the first Service-Learning Biology courses at Northeastern in which students meet community identified needs in the context of an academically rigorous experience. Students in these courses work with community partners such as health care centers, community centers, and public schools, integrating what they learn in the classroom with their real world experiences through readings, classroom discussions, and blogs. I am a founding member and chair of the Service-Learning Advisory Board, working to promote Service-Learning throughout the university while improving student experiential options and strengthening community ties. I also teach a summer course in which students gain research skills working independently and collaboratively on a bona fide research project. Former students in the research course have presented their findings at international, regional, and local meetings and are co-authors on publications.



Selected Publications:

Begley, J.F., E. Hansen, A.K. Wells, S. Fogel, and G. S. Begley. 2009. Assessment and Monitoring Tools for Aerobic Bioremediation of Vinyl Chloride in Groundwater. Remediation Journal, 19(5): 107-117.

Kemen, S. and G. S. Begley. 2007. Groundwater Biofilm with Grazing Protozoans from a Vinyl-Chloride-Contaminated Aquifer Undergoing Bioremediation Treatment. MicrobeLibrary Visual Resource Collection http://www.microbelibrary.org/asmonly/details.asp?id=2564&Lang=.

Begley, G.S. 2006. Connecting the Dots: Integrating Theory and Practice in an Allied Health Microbiology Course. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Journal, Fall 2006: 5-7.

Brown MA*, Begley GS*, Czerwiec E, Stenberg LM, Jacobs M, Kalume DE, Roepstorff P, Stenflo J, Furie BC, Furie B. 2005. Precursors of Novel Gla-Containing Conotoxins Contain a Carboxy-Terminal Recognition Site That Directs gamma-Carboxylation. Biochemistry, 44(25): 9150-9159. (* co-first authors)

Begley G.S., Horvath A.R., Taylor J.C., Higgins C.F. 2005. Cytoplasmic domains of the transporter associated with antigen processing and P-glycoprotein interact with subunits of the proteasome. Molecular Immunology, 42(1): 137-41.

Taylor, J.C., A.R. Horvath, C.F. Higgins, and G.S. Begley. 2001. The multidrug resistance p-glycoprotein: oligomeric state and intramolecular interactions. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276(39): 36075-8.

Begley, G.S., B.C. Furie, E. Czerwiec, K.L. Taylor, G.L. Furie, L. Bronstein, J. Stenflo, and B. Furie. 2000. A conserved motif within the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase gene is widely distributed across animal phyla. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275(46): 36245-49.

Complete Publication List

[Back to Top]