The Research Team
Dr. Joerg Overhage, Principal Investigator
Joerg is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences. His research group uses a combination of functional genomics, metabolomics, biochemical and microbiology techniques to study antimicrobial resistance and chronic biofilm infections. He studied microbiology at the University of Muenster (Germany) and undertook postdoctoral research at Massey University (New Zealand), UBC (Vancouver) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (Germany). In 2010, he started his research group at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT, Germany) and relocated to Carleton University in 2017. He has published over 50 peer reviewed papers and review articles and filled 3 patent applications.
Graduate students
MSc Waleska Stephanie da Cruz Nizer
Waleska is from Brazil, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Bioprocess Engineering (2016) and a master’s degree in Biotechnology (2018) from the Federal University of São João del-Rei. She received a scholarship from the Brazilian government to a full-year non-degree study at Florida A&M University (2013-2014). Waleska is currently a Ph.D. student at the Department of Health Sciences at Carleton University where her research focuses on the stress response of Gram-negative bacteria to reactive chlorine species (RCS). These studies use a combination of microbiological and molecular approaches to better understand the regulatory network involved in bacterial resistance to RCS, such as hypochlorous acid, the active component of household bleach and an innate defence compound.
BSc Kira Allison
Kira graduated from Dalhousie University with an BSc Honours in Microbiology and Immunology. Fascinated by health care and antibiotic research, she is combining both clinical and laboratory experience to pursue her Masters in Health Sciences at Carleton University. Her project looks to investigate the microbiome of non-healing/chronic wounds; specifically, the structure and dynamics of polymicrobial biofilms commonly found in pressure injuries. Combining state-of-the-art spectroscopy, microscopy and genomic approaches with an established in-vitro chronic wound model, Kira's research looks to improve wound outcomes by better understanding the role of these multi-species biofilms in antimicrobial resistance and dysregulated healing processes (together with Dr. Edana Cassol).
BHSc Madison Adams
Madison completed her Bachelor’s of Health Sciences with a Concentration in Biomedical Sciences and a Minor in Biology here at Carleton University in April 2023 and is now extending her undergraduate thesis research in her Master’s degree. The focus of her research is to study the oxidative stress responses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa against reactive chlorine species (RCS), including hypochlorous acid—the active ingredient in household bleach and an immune-derived antimicrobial compound. Her work involves various molecular and microbiology techniques such as biofilm modelling, functional genomics, and advanced microscopic imaging. A better understanding of P. aeruginosa RCS stress responses would provide novel insights into the nature of bacterial stress responses, mechanisms of virulence and antimicrobial resistance, and potential intervention biotargets for the prevention/treatment of numerous healthcare-associated infections.
Undergraduate students
Megan Montgomery, BHSc thesis student
Megan is currently a 4th year student in the Bachelors of Health Science program with a concentration in biomedical sciences. The focus of her honour's thesis research is to study microbial interactions in dual-species biofilms of pathogenic P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis (together with Dr. Edana Cassol).
Zainab Adebayo, BHSc thesis student
Zainab is currently in her 4th year in the Bachelor of Health Science program with a concentration in biomedical sciences. The focus of her I-CUREUS and 4th year thesis work is to isolate and characterise antibiotic producing bacteria from soil samples in order to fight antimicrobial resistant pathogens (Tiny Earth project, together with Drs Anil Gollapudi and Laura Pickell).
Arianna Lemmo, BHSc thesis student
Arianna is a 3rd year undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Health Science program with a concentration in biomedical science and a minor in biology. The research of her I-CUREUS internship focuses on characterising the antimicrobial stress response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to reactive chlorine species (RCS).
Sofia Chávez, Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Sofia is currently in her 4th year in the Bachelor of Clinical Biochemistry program with a concentration in clinical diagnosis of diseases at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Mexico. The research of her MITACS internship focuses on characterising antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation of human pathogens isolated from chronic wounds samples.