Meet the Microbiologist

The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan

Glen McGugan, Ph.D., Director of ASM's Mechanism Discovery Unit, discusses how curiosity‑driven research—from parasite virulence to CRISPR and complex microbial systems—drives tomorrow's breakthroughs. Ashley's Biggest Takeaways * Mechanism discovery,encompasses all of the foundational basic research across the microbial sciences and is essential for all advances in microbial science. * Many transformative technologies (e.g., CRISPR) originated from curiosity-driven, basic research rather than immediate practical goals. * McGugan's experience as a Program Officer at NIH provided him with a broad perspective on the research pipeline, from basic science to clinical trials, and highlighted the importance of supporting early-career scientists. * Developing therapeutics for parasitic diseases is particularly challenging due to complex life cycles and limited financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies; much of the progress relies on government and philanthropic funding. * ASM's Mechanism Discovery Unit serves as a neutral hub to convene interdisciplinary stakeholders, foster collaboration, and advance fundamental research. * Safeguarding future breakthroughs in the microbial sciences depends on the involvement of and connections between researchers, policymakers, funders and industry partners to close gaps between discovery, implementation and impact.

Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories

Andrea Prinzi, Ph.D., MPH, SM(ASCP) [https://asm.org/biographies/andrea-prinzi], and Rodney Rohde, Ph.D.,SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM [https://asm.org/biographies/rodney-rohde], trace how passion‑driven, nonlinear paths in clinical microbiology led them from hospital benches and public health labs to academia and industry leadership. Their stories converge on a shared mission: to use diagnostics, outcomes research and lived experience to make microbiology relevant, contextual and approachable for patients, policymakers and the broader public. Links for This Episode: * View Prinzi's ASM articles. [https://asm.org/biographies/andrea-prinzi] * View Rohde's ASM articles. [https://asm.org/biographies/rodney-rohde] * Volunteer to write for ASM. [https://asm.org/about-asm/volunteer-with-asm/communicate-science] * Take the MTM listener survey! [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C7P7XQY]

Decoding the Pneumococcal Capsule With Moon Nahm

Moon Nahm, M.D., professor emeritus at UAB Department of Medicine and Director of the World Health Organization's Pneumococcal Serology Reference Laboratory at UAB, discusses his career in pneumococcal immunology. From uncovering the WU2 reference strain and other hidden serotypes to pioneering Multiplexed Opsono-Phagocytosis Assay (MOPA) to measure the functional activity of anti-pneumococcal antibodies, Nahm's contributions have facilitated development of advanced vaccines with broader protection and accessibility. Links for This Episode * UAB Spotlight on Moon Nahm [https://www.uab.edu/medicine/pulmonary/images/ArticlePDFs/FacultySpotlight/NahmFacultySpotlight.pdf]. * Discovery and Characterization of Pneumococcal Serogroup 36 Capsule Subtypes, Serotypes 36A and 36B [https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jcm.00024-23]. Journal of Clinical Microbiology paper, March 27, 2003. * A New Pneumococcal Capsule Type, 10D, is the 100th Serotype and Has a Large cpsFragment from an Oral Streptococcus [https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.00937-20]. mBio, May 19, 2020. * 50 years—and change [https://source.washu.edu/2022/11/50-years-and-change/]. WashU Magazine. * MTM Listener Survey [https://asm.org/mtmsurvey]

From Earth to Orbit: Applied and Environmental Microbiology With Veronica Garcia

From leading R&D at a biotech startup company to conducting environmental monitoring for NASA, Veronica Garcia, Ph.D. [https://asm.org/biographies/veronica-garcia,-ph-d], Scientific Director of the ASM Applied and Environmental Microbiology unit shares how experiences throughout her career have informed her appreciation for microbes and their real-world applications. She also discusses how the ASM AEM unit will support scientists around the globe by fostering collaboration and advocating for scientific advancements in areas like climate change, water systems and food production. Ashley's Biggest Takeaways * Prior to her role as Scientific Director for ASM Applied and Environmental Microbiology unit, Garcia was Senior Director of R&D at Boost Biomes, a biotech startup focused on bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers. * Garcia's passion for microbiology began studying soil remediation at Texas A&M University. * Seeing microbes under the microscope for the first time felt like discovering "another world," sparking a lifelong fascination with what microbes are and can do. * Driven by a desire to see her science make an immediate impact, Garcia was drawn to industry after completing her Ph.D. * At Boost Biomes [https://boostbiomes.com], a biotech startup company, Veronica helped transform diverse microbial isolates into bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers and bio-stimulants for agriculture and food. She progressed from bench scientist to senior Director of R&D, overseeing discovery, genomics, bioinformatics and product development, and learned the realities of scale-up, cost, regulation and end-user needs. * She also monitored air, water and surfaces for the shuttle and ISS and NASA, ensuring astronaut safety by tracking microbial loads and potential pathogens. * ASM is organizing around 3 scientific units [https://asm.org/about-asm/asm-strategic-roadmap#asm-health], ASM Applied and Environmental Microbiology (AEM), ASM Health and ASM Mechanism Discovery. * These units will equip researchers to translate discovery into impact while providing a forum to collectively shape the future of the field. * The AEM unit provides the space and unique expertise for microbial scientists and partners to directly contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world through applied and environmental innovation and brings together experts whose work connects microbial processes to outcomes in ecosystems, infrastructure, food systems and planetary health. Links For This Episode * Learn More About ASM's Scientific Units. [https://asm.org/about-asm/asm-strategic-roadmap#asm-aem] * Join the Conversation on ASM Connect [https://asm.org/a/asm-connect], our online community platform. * Browse Volunteer Opportunities [https://asm.org/about-asm/volunteer-with-asm/volunteer-with-asm]. * Become an ASM Member [https://asm.org/membership]. * Take the MTM listener survey! [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C7P7XQY]

Unraveling Introns and Expectations With Marlene Belfort, Ph.D.

Marlene Belfort, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at the University at Albany and author of Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors?, discusses her journey in science, balancing personal and professional life, the importance of fundamental research and the discovery of introns in bacteriophage. Links for This Episode * Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors?: A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231164102-mommy-can-boys-also-be-doctors].