Meet the Microbiologist

Ashley Hagen, M.S.
  • 4.7 (38)
  • Life Sciences
  • Bimonthly

Who is microbiology? Meet the Microbiologist (MTM) introduces you to the people who discover, innovate and advance the field of microbiology. Go behind-the-scenes of the microbial sciences with experts in virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and more! Share in their passion for microbes and hear about research successes and even a few setbacks in their field. MTM covers everything from genomics, antibiotic resistance, synthetic biology, emerging infectious diseases, microbial ecology, public health, social equity, host-microbe biology, drug discovery, artificial intelligence, the microbiome and more! From graduate students to working clinicians and emeritus professors, host, Ashley Hagen, Scientific and Digital Editor at ASM, highlights professionals in all stages of their careers, gleaning wisdom, career advice and even a bit of mentorship along the way.

  1. Nov 7

    Bacterial Dormancy and Food Microbiology With Xiaonan Lu

    Xiaonan Lu, Ph.D., Professor and Ian & Jayne Munro Endowed Chair in Food Safety at McGill University, Tier-1 Canada Research Chair in Food Safety and Editor in Chief of ASM Food Microbiology, discusses bacterial dormancy in foodborne pathogens and the challenges it creates for detection and food safety. He highlights advances in genomics, nanosensors, single-cell analysis and AI, and shares his vision for the future of food microbiology research. Understanding Bacterial Dormancy Drawing from his own multidisciplinary training, Lu's lab brings together engineering, chemistry, genomics and molecular microbiology to better understand foodborne pathogens. Through technologies such as microfluidics, optical tweezers and single-cell RNA sequencing, his team studies bacterial dormancy, a survival strategy that allows pathogens to withstand environmental stressors (e.g., temperature changes, desiccation, sanitizers and others) and evade conventional detection methods. He shares emerging findings from experiments with Camplyobacter jejuni—one of the leading causes of contamination-induced diarrhea in humans—indicating that dormancy may involve an intermediate state between persister and viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) cells. Improving Food Safety Detection Detecting pathogens in food is rarely straightforward, and it can be difficult to separate a signal from biological and chemical noise. Lu examines how complex food matrices, low pathogen levels and competing microbial communities can complicate recovery and testing efforts. He discusses promising approaches for improving detection, including antibody- or aptamer-based separation methods, selective molecular assays and the growing use of whole-genome sequencing to trace contamination sources. The Future of Food Microbiology Looking ahead, Lu explores how AI could help unlock insights from existing datasets, predict food shelf life from image analysis and potentially identify early signals of disease outbreaks. He also highlights opportunities to leverage microbes for healthier foods, reduced waste and more sustainable food systems, while emphasizing the importance of curiosity, collaboration and openness to new technologies. About ASM Food Microbiology As Editor in Chief, Lu shares the vision for ASM Food Microbiology as a dedicated home for food microbiology research. The journal encompasses topics ranging from food safety and fermentation to sustainability, beneficial microbes, AI and precision fermentation, providing a platform for both established and emerging areas of the field.  Subscribe to Meet the Microbiologist on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, RSS or by email. Links for This Episode: Learn More About ASM Food Microbiology Take the MTM listener survey!

    Bacterial Dormancy and Food Microbiology With Xiaonan Lu

  2. Sep 19

    Making Microbes Memorable: Dr. Warhol's Periodic Table of Microbes

    John Warhol, Ph.D., blends his Periodic Table of Microbes with rock music, movies, and state-microbe petitions to bring microbes' most unforgettable stories to light. Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZYEBfo4nHc

    Making Microbes Memorable: Dr. Warhol's Periodic Table of Microbes

  3. Aug 14

    AI and the Future of Science, Discovery and Trust

    Stanley Malloy and Jack Gilbert unpack how AI tools are reshaping the microbial sciences—from genomics and microbial communities to manuscripts, peer review and publishing ethics—highlighting AI's power, potential and pitfalls for public trust in science. Episode Links: JMBE Collection: Practical and Positive Uses of AI in STEM Education MtM Survey: asm.org/mtmsurvey

    AI and the Future of Science, Discovery and Trust

  4. May 11

    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.

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

  5. Apr 17

    Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories

    Andrea Prinzi, Ph.D., MPH, SM(ASCP), and Rodney Rohde, Ph.D.,SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM, 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.  View Rohde's ASM articles. Volunteer to write for ASM. Take the MTM listener survey!

    Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories

  6. Mar 28

    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. Discovery and Characterization of Pneumococcal Serogroup 36 Capsule Subtypes, Serotypes 36A and 36B. 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. mBio, May 19, 2020. 50 years—and change. WashU Magazine. MTM Listener Survey

    Decoding the Pneumococcal Capsule With Moon Nahm

  7. Feb 13

    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., 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, 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, 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. Join the Conversation on ASM Connect, our online community platform. Browse Volunteer Opportunities. Become an ASM Member. Take the MTM listener survey!

  8. Jan 24

    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.

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4.7
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Who is microbiology? Meet the Microbiologist (MTM) introduces you to the people who discover, innovate and advance the field of microbiology. Go behind-the-scenes of the microbial sciences with experts in virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and more! Share in their passion for microbes and hear about research successes and even a few setbacks in their field. MTM covers everything from genomics, antibiotic resistance, synthetic biology, emerging infectious diseases, microbial ecology, public health, social equity, host-microbe biology, drug discovery, artificial intelligence, the microbiome and more! From graduate students to working clinicians and emeritus professors, host, Ashley Hagen, Scientific and Digital Editor at ASM, highlights professionals in all stages of their careers, gleaning wisdom, career advice and even a bit of mentorship along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Hagen, M.S.
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © American Society for Microbiology - Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial
  • Show Website
    Meet the Microbiologist

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