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Gail
S. Begley
Associate Academic Specialist
Director, University PreHealth Program
Ph.D., Boston University
Research
Areas:
Molecular Biology, Microbiology
Publications
Email: g.begley@neu.edu
Phone:
617.373.3491
Fax: 617.373.3724
Location:
414 Mugar Life Sciences
Mail: NU/Biology
134 Mugar Life Sciences
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
USA
Research
Description
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 interactions in bacterial nutrient transport systems as well as proteins involved in chemotherapeutic drug resistance, pollution response, and blood clotting.
I have launched a program to expand research opportunities for our undergraduates by establishing an all-undergraduate research team to study stress response in bacteria. We are currently collaborating with environmental technology firms to probe changes in microbial community structure in contaminated groundwater being treated by bioremediation (a process that uses natural occurring microbes to destroy contaminants). We are working to optimize bioremediation treatment and to develop molecular probes to assess the suitability of contaminated sites for this type of treatment. Four students have been awarded Provost’s grants to pursue this research, one was awarded an Honors Program Grant, and one student has participated in the Faculty Undergraduate Research Initiative. Twenty-one students have presented their research at meetings. Students have generated knowledge that has been used to optimize bioremediation treatment. One student is co-author on a publication and four students are coauthors on a manuscript in preparation. Papers on the project have been presented at ten meetings.
Selected Recent Meeting Presentations (undergraduate researchers in bold)
Talks:
Microbiological Performance Monitoring for Aerobic Remediation of a Low-Concentration Vinyl Chloride Plume. The10th International In-situ and On-site Bioremediation Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 8, 2009
Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater: monitoring and assessment. Presented at the 42nd Annual Regional Meeting of the ASM, November 2, 2007.
Posters:
Trautwein, Michael, Samuel Fogel, James F. Begley, and Gail S. Begley. 2008. Characterization of an Ethene Oxidizing Enrichment Culture from Vinyl Chloride Contaminated Groundwater. Presented at the 108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) June 2008.
Wells, Amanda K, Kelly Bernier, Giang Cao, Chad Pusateri, Lisa Slight, Ian Walker, Whitney Withington, and Gail S. Begley. 2008. PCR Screening for Potential Vinyl Chloride-Degrading Bacteria in Contaminated Groundwater. Presented at the 108th General Meeting of the ASM June 2008.
Jacobson, Lianne, Nathaniel West, and Gail S. Begley. 2007. Qualitative and Quantitative Measures of Planktonic Bacteria in Groundwater. Presented at the 65th Eastern New England Biology Conference, Boston, MA April 2007.
Czarnecki, Monica M., Angela R. Verardo, and Gail S. Begley. 2006. Quantification of Biofilm Growth from Vinyl Chloride Contaminated Groundwater Undergoing Bioremediation. 41st Annual Regional Meeting, American Society For Microbiology, Albany, NY November 2006. Received Student Poster Award
Curriculum Resources:
Kemen, Susan and Gail S. Begley. 2007. Groundwater Biofilm with Grazing Protozoans from a Vinyl-Chloride-Contaminated Aquifer Undergoing Bioremediation Treatment. MicrobeLibrary Visual Resource Collection (American Society for Microbiology). http://www.microbelibrary.org/asmonly/details.asp?id=2564&Lang=
My enthusiasm for connections and interactions also informs and propels my teaching in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology and my efforts to improve teaching and learning.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:
Bringing the Science Home with Service-Learning: blogging our way to engagement and understanding. Workshop presented with undergraduate TA Candice Calhoun at the 15th ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, May 30th, 2008.
Begley, G.S. 2006. Connecting the Dots: Integrating Theory and Practice in an Allied Health Microbiology Course. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Journal (Northeastern University) Fall 2006: 5-7.
Begley, G.S. 2004. Connecting the Dots: Integrating Theory and Practice in an Allied Health Microbiology Course. Presented at the American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators, New Orleans, May 2004.
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