Caleb D. Phillips' Laboratory

Craig Tipton

craig.tipton@ttu.edu

I am broadly interested in factors that influence microbiome community structure, and, in turn, how the microbiome affects host processes. Through my dissertation work I am identifying how genomic variation among patients influences microbial colonization of chronic wounds. In collaboration with a local wound clinic I am also characterizing abundance and composition patterns of wound microbiomes distributed across the United States. My research utilizes the Wolcott Wound Care Research Collection at the NSRL's GRC.

 

 

Hendra Sihaloho

hendra.sihaloho@ttu.edu

I investigate the drivers of gut microbiome composition in bats in degraded and unmodified habitats. My study focuses on three bat species occurring in Malaysia that have different social dynamics (solitary, small group and colonial) and rely on insect communities as their prey. I am using community ecology approaches and structural equation modeling to define how endogenous and exogenous processes governing microbiome assembly and disassembly. 

 

 

Rebecca Gabrilska

rebecca.gabrilska@ttuhsc.edu

I am an MD/PhD student investigating host-microbe interactions in chronic wounds to optimize patient care. Co-advised by Dr. Kendra Rumbaugh at TTUHSC and in collaboration with the Southwest Regional Wound Care Center, my dissertation work explores how human genetic variation shapes wound microbiome composition and how the interactions between microbes of wound communities influences host healing.

 

 

 

Jacob Ancira   

jacob.ancira@ttu.edu 

I am interested in exploring microbiomes and their host interactions. My thesis is focused on the relationship between the chronic wound microbiome and host healing time, investigated through structural equation modeling to define the wound environment. My work is in collaboration with the Southwest Regional Wound Care Center.

 

 

 

Khalid Omeir 

K.Omeir@ttu.edu 

I study host-microbiome interactions in chronic wounds through investigating how hosts' genomes influence chronic wound microbial composition. Specifically, I am interested in the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which host genetic variation affects tissue-specific gene expression and leads to differential bacterial infection. By understanding these mechanisms my work aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and facilitate the development of more effective personalized treatments. My research is supported by the Wolcott Wound Care Research Collection housed within the Natural Science Research Laboratory at the Texas Tech Museum and the National Institutes of Health.