Curriculum Vitae Jennifer K.

Kirk

Jennifer K. Kirk
Michigan State University
Phone: (734) 272-7043
Email: kirkjen1@msu.edu

Education

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY • East Lansing, MI

Ph.D. Candidate, Current Microbiology & Molecular Genetics

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY • Ypsilanti, MI

M.S., 2012 General Biology
Thesis: “Effect of Invasive Phragmites australis and its Control on
Microbial Community Composition in a Freshwater Wetland”
Honors: Graduate Fellowship, Graduate Assistant, Research Assistant, Meta Hellwig Graduate
Research Award, Don Brown Special Study Award, Graduate Research Fair Award

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY • Ypsilanti, MI

B.B.A., 1999 Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
Honors: Dean’s list

Relevant Graduate Coursework:

w Computational Science for
Evolutionary Biologists (CSE 801)
w Microbial Genetics (MMG 833)
w Microbial Biology (MMG 801)
w Microbial Ecology (BIO 415G)
w Teaching College Science (ISE 870)
w Pathway to Scientific Teaching in
Biology (PLB 802)
w TA Teaching Experience (MMG 892)
w Biostatistics (BIO 509)

Work and Research Experience

Laboratory Skill Set (highlights):
w Python programing w Q-PCR analysis
w Computer-based evolutionary modeling w Tissue culture: mammalian cells
w Sequence assembly, mapping, and analysis w Bacterial isolation:
w Mothur, QIIME, HMMER, Clustal, etc. culture/soils/water/feces/colon
w DNA sequencing: 16S, whole-genome w Anaerobic and hypoxic methods
w DNA isolation/purification: w T-RFLP analysis
culture/soils/water/feces/colon w BIOLOG EcoPlate
w Bioinformatics w Gas chromatography

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Curriculum Vitae Jennifer K. Kirk

Michigan State University • Drs. Edward Walker & Kazem Kashefi Labs • East
Lansing, MI
Graduate Research Assistant • 4/2015 – Present
Aedes triseriatus and its water-filled tree hole habitat provide a model ecosystem for
analysis of the factors constraining mosquito production. The tree hole ecosystem is
heterotrophic, with trophic processes dependent upon microbially-mediated
decomposition of organic detritus and inputs of inorganic nutrients from stemflow water.
For growth in this ecosystem, mosquito larvae consume microorganisms. Our study
challenges the assumption that tree hole production is nutrient-limited; instead, it is a
nutrient-rich environment, but hypoxic, with a deficit of electron acceptors to further
microbial respirations and decomposition, and a surfeit of electron donors establishing a
reducing environment. This research elucidated understudied guilds of microorganisms
dwelling in tree hole sediments whose anaerobic respirations involve electron acceptors
other than oxygen to drive these decomposition processes. Using molecular and culture-
dependent methods, we analyzed microbial communities and isolated novel sedimentary
microorganisms, belonging to the families of Geobacteraceae and Clostridiaceae
associated with tree hole sediment, to show that inorganic ions introduced largely through
stemflow water provide a pulse of electron acceptors to microorganisms. These results,
for the first time, highlight the importance of anaerobic microbial respirations in
sediments of tree hole ecosystems, and provide novel insight on the importance of these
microbial activities in controlling mosquito growth.

Michigan State University • Dr. Edward Walker Lab • East Lansing, MI

Graduate Research Assistant • 7/2014 – 3/2015
Studied microbial community associated with Spotted wing drosophila
(SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive fruit fly damaging soft-fleshed fruit. SWD is
implicated in large economic losses in the western U.S.A. and has recently been identified
in Michigan orchards. Current management efforts involve the application of insecticides;
however, no organic insecticide or biological control has been found to reduce SWD on
marketable fruit. It has been shown that microbial communities found in arthropods can
influence immune response, vector competence, fecundity, and survival. Wolbachia sp., is
an endosymbiont found in up to 70% of arthropod species and can cause feminization,
parthenogenesis, male killing, or cytoplasmic incompatibility, making it attractive as a
potential biological control. In this present study, we obtained Drosophila adults and larvae
from Michigan raspberries and blueberries. Using PCR restriction fragment length
polymorphisms within the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I
gene, Drosophila species were determined. Samples positively confirmed as SWD were
then used to build a genetic profile of Wolbachia diversity by taking advantage of
hypervariable regions found within the WO prophage. Additionally, surface-sterilized
larvae were homogenized and serial plated on different media types to obtain microbial
isolates for characterization by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Last, microbial community
analysis was performed using DNA obtained from larvae and adults that was sequenced
using Illumina MiSeq.

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Curriculum Vitae Jennifer K. Kirk

Michigan State University • Dr. Robert Britton Lab • East Lansing, MI

Graduate Research Assistant • 2/2013 – 6/2014
Identified probiotic microorganisms to prevent obesity, specifically type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2D). Bacterial libraries isolated from human intestinal biopsy, feces, and milk
were screened for the release of a gastrointestinal hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1
(GLP-1). GLP-1 stimulates insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, thereby
regulating glucose homeostasis in the blood. It also slows gastric emptying, increases
satiety, and increases insulin sensitivity. Probiotic strains were incubated with the human
colon cell line NCI-H716 which contains differentiated L-cells that secrete GLP-1. GLP-1
concentrations were then measured by ELISA. Strains identified as strong probiotic
candidates were characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Eastern Michigan University • Dr. Kristi Judd Lab • Ypsilanti, MI

Graduate Research Assistant • 6/2009 – 8/2012
Explored the effect of invasion and control of Phragmites australis on soil microbial
community composition (MCC) and abundance (MCA) in Great Lakes coastal wetlands.
Soils were collected from wetlands within the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
dominated by invasive Phragmites and native vegetation, and also prior to and following
herbicide application of glyphosate and imazapyr. Using T-RFLP, qPCR, and PCA, it was
shown that soil MCC differed by vegetation type within Phragmites-dominated versus
native-dominated wetlands. Microbial diversity was often greater in native-dominated
vegetation while microbial abundance was greater under Phragmites-dominated
vegetation. MCC after herbicide application exhibited only small changes immediately
after exposure while site location conferred greater differences in microbial structure.
These results suggest vegetation type greatly influences soil MCC and MCA while
herbicide application may have relatively minor impacts. Further studies are needed to
determine how this contributes to invasion. It is likely that changes in MCC impact
functions such as geochemical cycling, which is mediated by microorganism.
.
Eastern Michigan University • Ypsilanti, MI
Microbiology Lab Coordinator • 9/2011 – 4/2012
Organize, prepare, and set-up media, bacterial cultures, and equipment for microbiology
laboratory sections (BIO 328). Duties include: coordinate tasks between media preparation
technician and laboratory/lecture instructors.

Eastern Michigan University • Ypsilanti, MI

Graduate Teaching Assistant • 1/2010 – 4/2012
Teach laboratory courses in microbiology (BIO 328, 5 terms) and introductory biology
(BIO 105, 1 term). Duties include: preparation of laboratory lectures, experiment set-up,
maintenance of grade matrix, grading of lecture and laboratory assignments, creation and
set-up of lab exams, management of lab inventory, office hours for students, attendance of
lectures and laboratory prep meetings, and assistance to professor with other miscellaneous
course requirements.

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Curriculum Vitae Jennifer K. Kirk

University of Michigan Architecture Engineering & Construction • Ann Arbor, MI

Inspection Department Administrative Assistant • 7/2008 – 10/2009
Facilitated management of administrative business in the inspection department. Duties
included updating and reorganizing billing involving an audit of the previous seven years.
This involved consultation and collaboration with IT software specialists, multiple
university departments, and management from various levels. Other duties included human
resource issues, meeting coordination, and miscellaneous administrative activities.

University of Michigan Department of Near Eastern Studies • Ann Arbor, MI

Executive Secretary • 11/2006 – 7/2008
Provided a full range of administrative support to the department chair and key
administrator including calendar and correspondence management, travel and hosting
needs, and handling of sensitive and/or confidential matters. Other duties included
processing position requests, faculty and lecturer searches/hires, promotion and reviews,
leaves, HR paperwork and immigration matters, payroll, gross pay register reconciling,
event planning, gift processing and donation coordination, PCard reconciling, various
financials, and developing the annual newsletter.

University of Michigan Architecture Engineering & Construction • Ann Arbor, MI

Administrative Assistant • 8/2005 – 10/2006
Supported project managers in duties of managing construction projects. Organized, time
managed, coordinated and facilitated multiple deadlines and tasks. Managed general
inquires and complaints from faculty, staff, contractors, and the public. Duties included
creation and distribution of meeting minutes, correspondence, construction change
directives, change orders, work orders, telephone service requests, key requisitions, and
project file management. Gained knowledge of University policies, procedures and
regulations.

Teaching Experience*

Teaching Assistant • Michigan State University • East Lansing, MI

• Advanced Microbiology Laboratory (MMG 408): Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall
2016
• Introductory Laboratory for General and Allied Health Microbiology
(MMG 302): Spring 2014, Spring 2015

Teaching Assistant • Eastern Michigan University • Ypsilanti, MI

• Introductory Biology for Non-Majors (BIO 105): Winter 2010
• Introductory Microbiology (BIO 328): Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring
2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012

* Student Evaluations Available Upon Request. See also relevant coursework above.

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Curriculum Vitae Jennifer K. Kirk

Awards and Honors

Dana Barton Travel Award 2012
Meta Hellwig Research Award 2011
Don Brown Special Study Award 2011
Graduate Research Fair Award 2011
Graduate Fellowship Award 2010
Dean’s List: Fall 2009, Winter 2009, Fall 2008, Winter 1999

Meeting Presentations
American Society of Microbiology Annual Meeting. Poster, June 2018
Society for Freshwater Science. Oral Presentation, May 2018
University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum. Poster, April 2017
Michigan State University Department of Microbiology Work in Progress Seminars. Oral
Presentations, October 2017, April 2017, April 2016
Michigan State University Biomedical Sciences Research Forum, Oral Presentation,
November 2016
th
97 Annual Ecological Society of America Meeting. Poster, August 2012
Eastern Michigan University Chemistry and Biology Symposium, “Graduate School
Application Process” Panel Speaker, June 2012
Eastern Michigan University Graduate Research Fair. Oral Presentation, March 2011
State of the Straits Conference. Poster, November 2011
Eastern Michigan University’s Annual Donor Recognition Event "Invest. Inspire. A
Night of Recognition.” Poster, April 2011
Michigan American Society of Microbiology Spring Meeting. Poster, April 2011
Eastern Michigan University Graduate Research Fair. Poster, March 2011
State of the Straits Open House. Poster, January 2011

Service, Organizational Membership, and Other Accomplishments

Michigan State University Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Graduate Workshop:
2013 – Present
Michigan State University Biomedical Sciences Recruitment Events: 2013 – Present
Eastern Michigan University Biology High School Outreach Event, Workshop Leader:
March 2011
EMU Aquatic Ecology Literature Group Member: 2010 – 2012
EMU Microbiology Club Member: 2009 – 2012
The American Society of Microbiology member: 2009 – Present
Michigan Chapter of The American Society of Microbiology member: 2009 – Present
The Ecological Society of America member: 2009 – 2012
The Stewardship Network member: 2010 – 2012
The International Society for Microbial Ecology member: 2011 – Present

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