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Dr. Wendy Trzyna,
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Education
Ph.D. (Molecular Biology), University of Wyoming
B.S. (Biological Sciences), Illinois State University
Research
Acanthamoeba.
Under conditions of overwhelming environmental stress, this single
celled eukaryotic microbe undergoes encystment, a cellular
differentiation event that results in a dormant form of the amoeba
encased in a highly resistant structure. Exactly how these changes
are detected and the molecules and mechanisms involved in this
process form the basis of Dr. Trzyna’s current research. In
particular, the function of Type-I Metacaspases and its functional
role in encystment are being investigated. Metacaspases are related
to caspases, which are integral components of apoptosis (programmed
cell death) in higher eukaryotes. Furthermore, as
Acanthamoeba are able to
survive over a wide range of environmental conditions, whole genome
analysis of amoebae from diverse environments may reveal novel
mechanisms promoting this flexibility. An understanding of these
mechanisms may also help explain why some isolates of
Acanthamoeba are
opportunistic human pathogens causing a rare but serious eye
infection, amoebic keratitis.
Teaching
Dr. Trzyna is currently teaching Microbial Genetics at Marshall at
both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Prior to teaching at MU, Trzyna taught courses in Medical
Microbiology and Immunology; PCR Methods; General Microbiology;
Molecular Biology; Survey of Microbiology; Undergraduate Seminar;
and University Seminar, all at Louisiana Tech University.
Background
For the past four years, Dr. Trzyna was an Assistant Professor of
Microbiology and Molecular Biology at Louisiana Tech University.
While at LTU, she was very active in mentoring many
undergraduate and graduate students research, at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels and also took an active role in
enhancing upper division laboratory courses by obtaining, in
collaboration with colleagues, funds for acquisition of molecular
biology equipment and bioinformatics software for the biotechnology
teaching laboratory.
Service to the university included several years on the PreMedical/PreDental
Advisory Committee, the Advisory Council for the Dean for the
College of Applied and Natural Sciences (CANS), the research
committee for CANS and the Graduate Council for CANS.
Dr. Trzyna is a member of the American Society
for Microbiology.
Contact Info
telephone: (304) 696-6791
e-mail:
trzyna@marshall.edu
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