The Peggy Cotter Awards for Early Career Branch Members are given to support attendance at the ASM’s annual conference – Microbe 2024 – planned for June in Atlanta. They are named for ASM past president Peggy Cotter, Ph.D., who is known for her commitment to mentoring early career scientists.
“We’re delighted Dr. Shea has been recognized with this early career award,” said Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D., Locke Distinguished Chair in the Department of Microbiology, and Immunology. “Attending national conferences allows researchers to expand upon specific interests and share their exciting scientific data. Dr. Shea is also taking trainees to the conference, which is fitting for the award she is receiving.”
Shea joined the Whiddon College of Medicine in 2023 as a faculty member of the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program. Her laboratory’s research focuses on urinary tract infections (UTI) – specifically, characterizing the nutrient exchange mechanisms at the host-pathogen interface during UTI.
She received bachelor's degrees in biological sciences and marine sciences from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and her Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Florida. She conducted postdoctoral fellowship training at the University of Michigan that focused on the characterization of pathogen nutrient acquisition and transport systems required during urinary tract infection.
Established in 1899, the American Society for Microbiology is a group that connects more than 36,000 microbial scientist members from around the globe to foster learning, discovery, and preparation for the future. From climate change, antimicrobial resistance, industrial, basic, and applied microbiology, ASM is a leader in scientific publishing, stands for open science and advocates for evidence-based public policies.
