Faculty & Staff Directory
Fiester, Steven (Ph.D. in Physiology (Microbial), B.S. in Zoology )
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
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Dr. Fiester joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University
in 2024. In addition to his Research Professorship at Furman University, he maintains
Associate Professorships in the School of Health Science Research at Clemson University
and Department of Pathology at Prisma Health and serves as a Research Investigator
for the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center Dorn Research
Institute. He has previously held positions as an Associate Professor at the University
of South Carolina and a visiting faculty member at Miami University as well as the
BSL-3 Facility Coordinator at Kent State University. |
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Education
Toggle EducationPh.D. in Physiology (Microbial) and B.S. in Zoology from Kent State University -
Specialties
Toggle SpecialtiesMicrobiology/Infectious Diseases
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Research and Teaching Interests
Toggle Research and Teaching InterestsDr. Fiester's research and teaching interests are focused in microbiology especially as it pertains to the elucidation of factors contributing to the virulence of multidrug-resistant ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species) pathogens with special attention given to Acinetobacter baumannii. A. baumannii is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen often associated with nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients; however, cases in immune-competent individuals have also been reported. A. baumannii has been shown to cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacteremia, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis, wound infections and endocarditis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have categorized Acinetobacter as a serious threat requiring more monitoring and prevention activities due to the occurrence of multidrug-resistant isolates. According to the CDC, Acinetobacter causes 12,000 infections per year with 7,300 of those infections caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter and 500 of those cases resulting in mortality in the United States alone. Unfortunately, the majority of research pertaining to A. baumannii has focused on antibiotic resistance properties while failing to explain the basic pathobiology or underlying virulence mechanisms of this bacterium. This sparsity of data has made drug discovery somewhat difficult due to the lack of candidate therapeutic targets. Dr. Fiester's research therefore aims to better explain the pathobiology of A. baumannii thus uncovering targets for therapeutics. Dr. Fiester is particularly interested in the mechanisms by which A. baumannii is cytotoxic to eukaryotic cells, acquires iron under chelated conditions such as that found in the human host, translocates virulence-associated proteins to the outer membrane, secretes virulence factors and responds to environmental stressors. Dr. Fiester's research has even contradicted the traditional characterization of A. baumannii as non-hemolytic. In fact, the hemolytic phenotype of A. baumannii is paramount to A. baumannii virulence. -
Courses Offered
Toggle Courses Offered- BSC 4930/6932: Infectious Diseases
- BSC 4910C: Senior Project I
- MCB 3020C: General Microbiology
- MCB 4203C: Pathogenic Microbiology
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Publications
Toggle Publications
- LA Ramos, EC Walls, MS Petrucci, WF Penwell, EJ Ohneck, LA Actis and SE Fiester (2024). Growth and polarization of A549 human alveolar epithelial cells as a model to study biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods in Molecular Biology, In press.
- E Wheibe, K Connolly, ME Ward, CMG Schammel, JT Grier and SE Fiester (2024). The intersection between first responders and mental health: what a case of suicide could teach us. Journal of Paramedic Practice, In press.
- RC Ellis, EK Roberts, JT Grier and SE Fiester (2022). Acinetobacter baumannii infections that are resistant to treatment: warning signs from the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Microbiology, 17(17) 1345-1347.
- MH Hyche, P Kent, CMG Schammel, M Devane, SE Fiester, M Call and J Knight (2022). Closing the brief case: Tropheryma whipplei infection resulting in neurological symptoms. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 60(8) 1-2.
- MH Hyche, P Kent, CMG Schammel, M Devane, SE Fiester, M Call and J Knight (2022). The brief case: Tropheryma whipplei infection resulting in neurological symptoms. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 60(8) 1-5.
- MA Knapp, TA Johnson, MK Ritter, RO Rainer, SE Fiester, JT Grier, TD Connell and S Arce (2021). Immunomodulatory regulation by heat-labile enterotoxins and potential therapeutic applications. Expert Review of Vaccines, 20(8) 975-987.
- ZC Overton-Hennessy, AM Devane, SE Fiester, N Schammel, CMG Schammel and JW Fulcher (2021). Ruptured splenic artery pseudoaneurysm causing hemorrhage into a pancreatic pseudocyst. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 43(1) 76-80.
- CW Evins, C Sutton, ST Withers, JT Grier, CMG Schammel, and SE Fiester (2021). Community-acquired extended-spectrum 尾-lactamase producing and extensively drug resistant Escherichia coli in a 28-year-old pyelonephritis patient lacking risk factors. Antibiotics, 10(5) 533.
- JT Grier, BA Arivett, MS Ram谋虂rez, RJ Chosed, JA Bigner, EJ Ohneck, ML Metz, CR Wood, S Arce, A Tartaro, RF Relich, LA Actis and SE Fiester (2021). Two Acinetobacter baumannii isolates obtained from a fatal necrotizing fasciitis infection display distinct genomic and phenotypic characteristics in comparison to type strains. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 11(2021) 249.
- GW Birsic, BE Hentschel, ZC Overton-Hennessy, ME Ward, SE Fiester and JW Fulcher (2021). Fatal coronary artery vasculitis with mixed features. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 42(3) 307-310.
- JA Bigner, SE Fiester, JW Fulcher, CMG Schammel, ME Ward, HE Burney, JF Wheeler, SK Wheeler and JM Teuber (2021). Glyphosate and polyoxyethyleneamine ingestion leading to renal, hepatic and pulmonary failure. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 42(3) 282-285.
- BA Arivett, A Charnot-Katsikas, C Bethel, SE Fiester and LA Actis (2020). Draft genome sequences of two Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 9(13).
- AB Kennedy and SE Fiester (2020). Reduced performance on examinations following untimed short assessments, Studies in Educational Evaluation, 65(2020) 100835.
- DC Lee, SE Fiester, LA Madeline, JW Fulcher, ME Ward, CMG Schammel and RK Hakimi (2019). Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris leading to fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis, Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 1-6.
- JW Basinger, SE Fiester and JW Fulcher (2019). Mortality from neonatal herpes simplex viremia causing severe hepatitis, Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 1-4.
- GW Birsic, JW Fulcher and SE Fiester (2019). Embolization of endocardial vegetation with stroke presentation, The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 40(1) 72-76.
- K. Abernathy, S Fiester and JW Fulcher (2019). Miliary pattern MRSA sepsis following clandestine intravenous infusion, Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 15(2) 267-271.
- SE Fiester, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, BR Wagner, EJ Ohneck, R Schmidt, JT Grier and LA Actis (2019). Miltefosine reduces the cytolytic activity and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 63(1) e01409-18.
- J Basinger, SE Fiester and JW Fulcher (2018). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus parotitis leading to mortality in an adolescent male, The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 39(3) 257-260.
- EJ Ohneck, BA Arivett, SE Fiester, CR Wood, ML Metz, GM Simeone and LA Actis (2018). Mucin acts as a nutrient source and a signal for the differential expression of genes coding for cellular processes and virulence factors in Acinetobacter baumannii, PLoS ONE, 13(1) e0190599.
- S Rumbo-Feal, A P茅rez, TA Ramelot, BA Arivett, A Beceiro, JA Vallejo, L 脕lvarez-Fraga, M Merino, EJ Ohneck, SE Fiester, MA Kennedy, LA Actis, G Bou and M Poza (2017). Contribution of A. baumannii A1S_0114 gene to the interaction with eukaryotic cells and virulence, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 7(108).
- SE Fiester, BA Arivett, RE Schmidt, AC Beckett, T Ticak, MV Carrier, R Ghosh, EJ Ohneck, ML Metz, MK Sellin-Jeffries and LA Actis (2016). Iron-regulated phospholipase C activity contributes to the cytolytic activity and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii, PLoS ONE, 11(11) e0167068.
- BA Arivett, DC Ream, SE Fiester, D Kidane, and LA Actis (2016). Draft genome sequences of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from wounded military personnel, Genome Announcements, 4(4) e00773-16.
- BA Arivett, DC Ream, SE Fiester, D Kidane and LA Actis (2016). Draft genome sequences of Escherichia coli isolates from wounded military personnel, Genome Announcements, 4(4) e00828-16.
- BA Arivett, DC Ream, SE Fiester, D Kidane and LA Actis (2016). Draft genome sequences of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from wounded military personnel, Genome Announcements, 4(4) e00829-16.
- BA Arivett, SE Fiester, EJ Ohneck, WF Penwell, C Kaufman, RF Relich and LA Actis (2015). Antimicrobial activity of gallium protoporphyrin IX against Acinetobacter baumannii strains displaying different antibiotic resistance phenotypes, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 59(12) 7657-7665.
- CM Harding, MA Nasr, RL Kinsella, NE Scott, LJ Foster, BS Weber, SE Fiester, LA Actis, EN Tracy, RS Munson Jr. and MF Feldman (2015). Acinetobacter strains carry two functional oligosaccharyltransferases, one dedicated exclusively to type IV pilin, and the other one dedicated to O-glycosylation of multiple proteins, Molecular Microbiology, 96(5) 1023-1041.
- BA Arivett, SE Fiester, DC Ream, D. Centron, M. Soledad Ramirez, M. Tolmasky and LA Actis (2015). Draft genome of the multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii A155 clinical isolate, Genome Announcements, 3(2) e00212-15.
- SE Fiester, CC Nwugo, WF Penwell, JM Neary, AC Beckett, BA Arivett, SC Geiger, RE Schmidt, PL Connerly, SM Menke, AP Tomaras and LA Actis (2015). Role of the carboxyl terminus of SecA in iron acquisition, protein translocation and virulence of the bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, Infection and Immunity, 83(4) 1354-1365.
- BA Arivett, DC Ream, SE Fiester, K Mende, CK Murray, MG Thompson, S Kanduru, AM Summers, AL Roth, DV Zurawski and LA Actis (2015). Draft genomes of the Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883T clinical type strain and three multidrug resistant clinical isolates, Genome Announcements, 3(1) e01385-14.
- T Ticak, D Hariraju, M Bayron Arcelay, B Arivett, S Fiester and DJ Ferguson (2014). Isolation and characterization of a tetramethylammonium degrading Methanococcoides strain and a novel glycine betaine utilizing Methanolobus strain, Archives of Microbiology, 197(2) 197-209.
- SE Fiester, SF Evangelista, BA Arivett, DJ Adams, RE Redfern and CJ Woolverton (2014). The role of the liquid crystalline state in the bundling of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium flagella, Liquid Crystals, 41(9) 1277-1285.
- SE Fiester and LA Actis (2013). Stress responses in the human opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, Future Microbiology, 8(3) 353-365.
- SE Fiester, SL Helfinstine, TT Meilander and CJ Woolverton (2012). Administering needs-assessed bioterrorism curricula to public health professionals using active-learning strategies, Applied Biosafety: Journal of the American Biological Safety Association, 17(4) 181-187.
- S Fiester, S Helfinstine, J Redfearn, R Uribe and C Woolverton (2012). Electron beam irradiation dose dependently damages the Bacillus spore coat and spore membrane, International Journal of Microbiology, 2012(2012) 579593.
- S Fiester, A J谩kli and C Woolverton (2011). Liquid crystal properties of a self-assembling viral coat protein. Liquid Crystals, 38(9) 1153-1157.
- S Fiester, J Redfearn, S Helfinstine, T Meilander and CJ Woolverton (2010). Lab safety and bioterrorism readiness curricula using active learning and hands-on strategies as continuing education for medical technologists, Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 11(1) 14-20.
- S Rumbo-Feal, A P茅rez, TA Ramelot, BA Arivett, A Beceiro, JA Vallejo, L 脕lvarez-Fraga, M Merino, EJ Ohneck, SE Fiester, MA Kennedy, LA Actis, G Bou and M Poza (2018). Contribution of A. baumannii A1S_0114 gene to the interaction with eukaryotic cells and virulence. In Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter: From Drug Resistance to Pathogenesis (pp. 103-116). Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers.
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Conference Presentations
Toggle Conference Presentations- C Evins, S Fiester, C Sutton, S Withers, JT Grier and CM Schammel. Community-acquired, extended-spectrum 尾-lactamase-producing and extensively drug-resistant Escherichia coli in a 28-year-old pyelonephritis patient lacking risk factors, Society of General Internal Medicine 2024 Southern Regional Meeting, February 2024.
- AT Sadek, EM Wheibe, K Connolly, C Liu, CR Guti茅rrez, BA Arivett, RF Relich, LA Actis, S Fiester, MS Ram铆rez and JT Grier. Resistance properties and host immune cell entry of necrotizing fasciitis Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, ASM Microbe 2023, June 2023.
- MR Ryan, MC Stroud, ZM Buchanan, AR Rojas, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, TO Connell, SE Fiester, S Arce and JT Grier. The immunomodulatory effects of E. coli heat-labile enterotoxins on the respiratory immune response, Immunology 2023 The American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting, May 2023.
- E Wheibe, K Connolly, RF Relich, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Investigation of drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii virulence factors implicated in intracellular survival within differentiated THP-1 cells, American Society for Clinical Pathology, September 2022.
- MC Stroud, AR Rojas, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, TD Connell, SE Fiester, S Arce and JT Grier. The effects of type II heat-labile enterotoxins on human respiratory-specific immune responses, ASM Microbe, June 2022.
- M Muqri, K McCoy, A Okinaga, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Investigating the Antiviral and Antibacterial Response in CRISPR Cas9-Mediated Knockdown of Interferon Induced Protein 35 (IFI35) in a Human Lung Epithelial Cell Line, 2022 Spring Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, April 2022.
- -First Place in Undergraduate Category.
- E Wheibe, K Connolly, R Relich, S Fiester and JT Grier. Investigation of drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii virulence factors implicated in intraceluular survival within differentiated THP-1 cells, Mid-Atlantic Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting, February 2022.
- MC Stroud, AR Rojas, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, TD Connell, SE Fiester, S Arce and JT Grier. The effects of type II heat-labile enterotoxins on human respiratory-specific immune responses, Mid-Atlantic Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting, February 2022.
- E Wheibe, K Connolly, RF Relich, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Investigation of drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii virulence factors implicated in intracellular survival within differentiated THP-1 Cells, Eastern-Atlantic Student Research Forum, January 2022.
- K McCoy, A Okinaga, M Muqri, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Investigating the antiviral and antibacterial response in CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockdown of interferon induced protein 35 (IFI35) in a human lung epithelial cell line, Southeast Regional IDeA Meeting, November 2021.
- MH Hyche, CMG Schammel, M Devane, S Fiester, M Call, P Kent and J Knight. Tropheryma whipplei manifesting in the CNS: case report and comprehensive literature review, 2021 Fall Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, October 2021.
- AR Rojas, MC Stroud, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, TD Connell, SE Fiester, S Arce and JT Grier. Investigating the effects of type II heat-labile enterotoxins on human respiratory immune responses, 2021 Fall Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, October 2021.
- E Wheibe, K Connolly, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Examination of drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii response to phagocytosis by monocyte-derived macrophages, 2021 Fall Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, October 2021.
- -Second Place in Medical Student Category
- AR Rojas, MC Stroud, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, TD Connell, SE Fiester, S Arce and JT Grier. Investigating the effects of type II heat-labile enterotoxins on human respiratory immune responses, 2021 Prisma Health Research Showcase, October 2021.
- E Wheibe, K Connolly, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Examination of drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii response to phagocytosis by monocyte-derived macrophages, 2021 Prisma Health Research Showcase, October 2021.
- K McCoy, A Okinaga, M Muqri, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Investigating the antiviral and antibacterial response in CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockdown of interferon induced protein 35 (IFI35) in a human lung epithelial cell line, Biomedical Sciences Student Research Symposium, July 2021.
- M Stroud, A Rojas, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, SE Fiester, S Arce, and JT Grier. Investigating the effects of heat-labile enterotoxins in a respiratory immunization model, Biomedical Sciences Student Research Symposium, July 2021.
- A Rojas, M Stroud, MP Knapp, A Okinaga, SE Fiester, S Arce and JT Grier. Investigating the effects of heat-labile enterotoxins on cytokine secretion by human respiratory epithelial cells, Biomedical Sciences Student Research Symposium, July 2021.
- C Liu, CR Guti茅rrez, BA Arivett, RF Relich, JT Grier, LA Actis, SE Fiester and M Ram铆rez. Changes in resistance properties of extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii over the course of a lethal infection, World Microbe Forum, June 2021.
- SE Fiester. Conotton Valley Union Local Schools High School Graduation Commencement Address, Bowerston, OH, May 2021.
- C Hathaway, CMG Schammel and SE Fiester. Aspergillus otomycosis leading to tympanic membrane rupture in a young immunocompetent woman, Discover USC, Columbia, SC, April 2021.
- MH Hyche, CMG Schammel, M Devane, S Fiester, M Call, P Kent, J Knight. Tropheryma whipplei manifesting in the CNS: case report and comprehensive literature review, Discover USC, Columbia, SC, April 2021.
- -First Place in Case Reports/Small Series/Learning Innovation Category
- K McCain, JT Grier and SE Fiester. Elucidation of heme-b utilization mechanisms by the human nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, Discover USC, Columbia, SC, April 2021.
- C Hathaway, CMG Schammel and SE Fiester. Aspergillus otomycosis in a young immunocompetent woman, SC Upstate Research Symposium (SCURS), Spartanburg, SC, April 2021.
- -Presented as a conference proceeding
- E Hogue, L Bracken, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Development of Models for Study of Host-Pathogen Interactions During Human Acinetobacter baumannii infection via Novel Dual RNA-sequencing Technology, 2021 SC-INBRE Science Symposium, Columbia, SC, January 2021.
- L Bracken, E Hogue, SE Fiester and JT Grier. Exploration of the host-pathogen interactions of Acinetobacter baumannii and human lung epithelial cells with novel dual RNA-sequencing technology, 2020 Fall Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Greenville, SC, October 2020.
- JA Kohrt, M Young, N Nawar, DO Boldt, J Valbuena, SE Fiester, A Tartaro and JT Grier. Applications of R and Shiny for interactive visualizations of host-pathogen interactions in dual RNA-seq data, 2020 Fall Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Greenville, SC, October 2020.
- -This presentation won 鈥淪econd Place Undergraduate Category.鈥�
- MA Knapp, TA Johnson, MK Ritter, RO Rainer, SE Fiester, JT Grier, TD Connell and S Arce. Differential binding of E. coli enterotoxins LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc to human B and T cell subsets identifies a potential use as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy, American Association for Cancer Research Virtual Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Philadelphia, PA, October 2020.
- -Featured as 鈥淢A Knapp, TA Johnson, MK Ritter, RO Rainer, SE Fiester, JT Grier, TD Connell and S Arce (2021). Differential binding of E. coli enterotoxins LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc to human B and T cell subsets identifies a potential use as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy, Cancer Immunology Research, 9(2 Suppl): Abstract nr PO024."
- DC Lee, SE Fiester, LA Madeline, G Dukes, JW Fulcher, ME Ward, CMG Schammel and RK Hakimi. Fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis in Upstate South Carolina, 2020 Fall Meeting of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Greenville, SC, October 2020.
- K McCain, JT Grier and SE Fiester. Elucidation of heme-b utilization mechanisms by the human nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, 2nd Annual Biomedical Sciences Student Research Virtual Symposium, Greenville, SC, July 2020.
- L Bracken, E Hogue, S Fiester and JT Grier. Dual RNA-Seq of A. baumannii with human host, 2nd Annual Biomedical Sciences Student Research Virtual Symposium, Greenville, SC, July 2020.
- C Liu, CR Guti茅rrez, BA Arivett, RF Relich, JT Grier, LA Actis, SE Fiester and MS Ram铆rez. Changes in antimicrobial resistance properties of extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter over the course of a lethal infection, American Society for Microbiology Microbe 2020, Chicago, IL, June 2020.
- -Abstract accepted, conference cancelled due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
- GM Traglia, J Fernandez, JE Reddic, JF Meredith, SE Fiester and M Ramirez. Genomic diversity of Acinetobacter clinical isolates from a large southeastern United States hospital system, American Society for Microbiology Microbe 2020, Chicago, IL, June 2020.
- -Abstract accepted, conference cancelled due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
- B. Tennie, SE Fiester, JR Meredith, JW Kelly, SE Williams, JE Reddic, SD Lee, DC Lee, JA Bigner and MS Nolan. Evaluating the clinical epidemiology of Klebsiella infections in the Upstate region of South Carolina, Prisma Health, Health Sciences Center Research Showcase, Greenville, SC, April 2020.
- -Abstract accepted, conference cancelled due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
- DC Lee, SE Fiester, LA Madeline, JW Fulcher, ME Ward, CMG Schammel and RK Hakimi. Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris leading to fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis, 4th Annual Harriet and Jerry Dempsey Research Conference, Greenville, SC, March 2020.
- -Abstract accepted, conference cancelled due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
- DC Lee, SE Fiester, LA Madeline, JW Fulcher, ME Ward, CMG Schammel and RK Hakimi. Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris leading to fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis, 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Neuroimaging (ASN), Atlanta, GA, March 2020.
- -DC Lee awarded $1000 from Prisma Health Department of Internal Medicine for travel
- JT Grier. Dual RNA-seq for the analysis of host-pathogen interactions in a model of A. baumannii infection, National Big Data Health Science Conference 2020, Columbia, SC, February 2020.
- -Presentation of 2019 BIPP grant awarded to JT Grier and SE Fiester as Co-PIs.
- L Bracken, E Hogue, S Fiester and JT Grier. Dual RNA-Seq of A. baumannii with human host, USCSOMG Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Symposium, Greenville, SC, July 2019.
- BA Arivett, JT Grier, JA Bigner, EJ Ohneck, ML Metz, CR Wood, RF Relich, LA Actis and SE Fiester. Increased twitching motility, biofilm formation and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii associated with necrotizing fasciitis, ASM Microbe 2019, San Francisco, CA, June 2019.
- SE Fiester, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, BR Wagner, EJ Ohneck, RE Schmidt and LA Actis. Rapid Fire Talk (Outside the Box Therapeutics): Hexadecylphosphocholine reduces Acinetobacter baumannii virulence, ASM Microbe 2018, Atlanta, GA, June 2018.
- SE Fiester, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, BR Wagner, EJ Ohneck, RE Schmidt and LA Actis. Hexadecylphosphocholine reduces Acinetobacter baumannii virulence, ASM Microbe 2018, Atlanta, GA, June 2018.
- S Arce, A Blenda, R Chosed, S Fiester and W Roudebush. Introduction to the Biomedical Researchers at USCSOM-Greenville, Greenville Health System Research Division Advisory Group quarterly meeting, Greenville, SC, February 2018.
- BA Arivett, T Gerke, SE Fiester and A Farone. Use of synchrotron radiation to investigate heme-like gallium protoporphyrin IX in Acinetobacter baumannii, Kentucky-Tennessee Branch ASM Fall 2017 Meeting, Cookeville, TN, November 2017.
- -This presentation won 鈥淏est Graduate Poster.鈥�
- EJ Ohneck, BA Arivett, SE Fiester, CR Wood, ML Metz, GM Simeone and LA Actis. Mucin acts as a signal for the differential expression of cellular processes and virulence factors in Acinetobacter baumannii, 14th Annual Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) Symposium, Miami University, Oxford, OH, June 2016.
- EJ Ohneck, BA Arivett, SE Fiester, GM Simeone, MM Metz and LA Actis. Investigating the role of the Acinetobacter baumannii two-component system BfmRS in sensing and responding to mucin, 22nd Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Indianapolis, IN, August 2015.
- CM Harding, MA Nasr, RL Kinsella, BS Weber, SE Fiester, LA Actis, EN Tracy, RS Munson and MF Feldman. Acinetobacter strains carry two functional oligosaccharyltransferases, one devoted exclusively to type IV pili and one devoted to O-glycosylation of multiple proteins, Acinetobacter 2015 10th International Symposium on the Biology of Acinetobacter, Athens, Greece, June 2015.
- CR Wood, BA Arivett, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Role of a novel type I pilus in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Lorain, OH, April 2015.
- A Tomaras, J Crandon, C McPherson, WF Penwell, SE Fiester, BA Arivett, LA Actis and D Nicolau. Lack of correlation between in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of MB-1, a siderophore-尾-lactam conjugate, against multiple strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, ICAAC 2014, Washington, DC, September 2014.
- SC Geiger, BA Arivett, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Determining the antimicrobial mode of action of GaPPIX on Acinetobacter baumannii, 12th Annual Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) Symposium, Miami University, Oxford, OH, May 2014.
- BA Arivett, WF Penwell, CM Kaufman, RF Relich, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Gallium protoporphyrin IX inhibits growth of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, 114th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Boston, MA, May 2014.
- EJ Ohneck, SE Fiester, DL Zimbler, PN Rather and LA Actis. Characterization of the BfmRS two-component regulatory system in Acinetobacter clinical strains, 114th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Boston, MA, May 2014.
- SE Fiester, CC Nwugo, WF Penwell, J Neary, AC Beckett, BA Arivett, PL Connerly, SM Menke, AP Tomaras and LA Actis. Role of the carboxyl terminus of SecA in iron acquisition, protein translocation and virulence in the bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, 114th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Boston, MA, May 2014.
- SE Fiester, CC Nwugo, WF Penwell, JM Neary, AC Beckett, ML Metz, BA Arivett, PM Connerly, SM Menke, AP Tomaras and LA Actis. Role of the carboxyl terminus of SecA in iron acquisition, protein translocation and virulence of the bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, April 2014.
- SE Fiester, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, RE Schmidt, ML Metz, MV Carrier and LA Actis. Iron-regulated cytolytic activity plays a role in the virulence of the human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, April 2014.
- GM Simeone, EJ Ohneck, BA Arivett, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Acinetobacter baumannii sensor kinase BfmS is involved in sensing pulmonary surfactant components, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, April 2014.
- D Hariraju, T Ticak, M Bayron Arcelay, SE Fiester and DJ Ferguson Jr. Isolation and characterization of novel strains of quaternary amine utilizing archaea from estuarine sediment, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, April 2014.
- SC Geiger, BA Arivett, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Determining the antimicrobial mode of action of GaPPIX on Acinetobacter baumannii, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, April 2014.
- SE Fiester, CC Nwugo, J Neary, WF Penwell, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, S Menke, AP Tomaras and LA Actis. Role of the C-terminus of SecA in iron acquisition and protein translocation by Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606T, Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) Symposium, Miami University, Oxford, OH, May 2013.
- ML Metz, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, MV Carrier, WF Penwell, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C activity is responsible for the hemolytic activity of A. baumannii, Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) Symposium, Miami University, Oxford, OH, May 2013.
- EJ Ohneck, DL Zimbler, SE Fiester, WF Penwell and LA Actis. Characterization of the sensor kinase BfmS in multiple Acinetobacter baumannii strains, Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) Symposium, Miami University, Oxford, OH, May 2013.
- SE Fiester, CC Nwugo, J Neary, WF Penwell, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, S Menke, AP Tomaras and LA Actis. Role of the C-terminus of SecA in iron acquisition and protein translocation by Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606T, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Ashland, OH, April 2013.
- ML Metz, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, MV Carrier, WF Penwell, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C activity is responsible for the hemolytic activity of A. baumannii, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Ashland, OH April 2013.
- EJ Ohneck, DL Zimbler, SE Fiester, WF Penwell and LA Actis. Characterization of the sensor kinase BfmS in multiple Acinetobacter baumannii strains, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Ashland, OH, April 2013.
- ML Metz, BA Arivett, AC Beckett, MV Carrier, WF Penwell, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Examining hemolytic activity in Acinetobacter baumannii, Undergraduate Research Forum, Miami University, Oxford, OH, April 2013.
- MK Sellin-Jeffries, BA Arivett, SE Fiester, DD Coffey, LM Thornton, AW Smith, LA Actis, JT Oris. Development of two small fish species, Pimephales promelas and Cyprinodon variegates, as model organisms for immunotoxicity, Society of Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry North America 33rd Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, November 2012.
- SE Fiester, BA Arivett, MV Carrier, AC Beckett and LA Actis. Hemolytic activity of Acinetobacter baumannii, 19th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Milwaukee, WI, September 2012.
- BA Arivett, SE Fiester, WF Penwell, DL Zimbler and LA Actis. Exploiting an iron vein: Acinetobacter baumannii鈥檚 acquisition of iron from erythrocytes, 19th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Milwaukee, WI, September 2012.
- EJ Ohneck, DL Zimbler, SE Fiester, BA Arivett and LA Actis. Acinetobacter baumannii two-component regulatory system bfmRS is involved in biofilm formation on both biotic and abiotic surfaces, 19th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Milwaukee, WI, September 2012.
- EJ Ohneck, SE Fiester, DL Zimbler and LA Actis. Acinetobacter baumannii sensor kinase BfmS is involved in the regulation of motility and biofilm formation, 20th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Columbus, OH, August 2012.
- WF Penwell, DL Zimbler, AC Beckett, AM Richards, BA Arivett, EJ Ohneck, SE Fiester, DV Zurawski and LA Actis. Variability of virulence factors among Acinetobacter baumannii isolates obtained from wounded military personnel, 20th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Columbus, OH, August 2012.
- CM Harding, EN Tracy, MD Carruthers, SE Fiester, LA Actis and RS Munson, Jr. Demonstration of type IV pili production in Acinetobacter baumannii and their role in natural transformation, twitching motility and biofilm formation, 20th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Columbus, OH, August 2012.
- AC Beckett, MV Carrier, BA Arivett, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Hemolytic activity of Acinetobacter baumannii, Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) Symposium, Miami University, Oxford, OH, June 2012.
- MV Carrier, BA Arivett, SE Fiester and LA Actis. Analysis of uncharacterized hemolytic activity expressed by Acinetobacter baumannii, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Mason, OH, April 2012.
- SE Fiester. Characterization of optically active biopolymers, Kent State University Department of Biological Sciences鈥� Seminar Series, Kent, OH, April 2011.
- SE Fiester. Characterization of optically active bacterial and viral proteins, Ohio Branch American Society for Microbiology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, April 2011.
- SE Fiester. Detection of immune complexes using chiral nematic chitin fibrils, 26th Annual Graduate Research Symposium, Kent, OH, April 2011.
- SE Fiester. Optical properties of a viral protein, Kent State Liquid Crystal Institute Liquid Crystal Day, Kent, OH, October 2010.
- SE Fiester, A J谩kli and CJ Woolverton. Liquid crystalline properties of g8p, the major coat protein of fd bacteriophage, 84th Colloid on Surface Science Symposium, Akron, OH, June 2010.
- SE Fiester and CJ Woolverton. Formulation of chitin as a liquid crystal biosensor, Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Mason, OH, April 2010.
- TT Meilander, SL Helfinstine, SE Fiester and CJ Woolverton. Hands-on biosafety level 3 workshop improves knowledge and skill in laboratory personnel, American Society for Microbiology 107th General Meeting, Toronto, Canada, May 2007.
- SE Fiester. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (OH), Toledo, OH, 2006.
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Grants & Awards
Toggle Grants & AwardsProposal title: Transcriptomics of Acinetobacter baumannii and its human host by dual RNA-seq
Grantor: New Mexico IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (NM INBRE) Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core Pilot Award funded through National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Role: Co-PI
Proposal title: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Cleaning Protocols: Efficacy of Decontamination Methods Against Bacterial Pathogens
Grantor: Prisma Health (Transformative Seed Grant)
Role: Co-I
Proposal title: Intracellular survival and immune evasion of necrotizing fasciitis Acinetobacter baumannii isolates
Grantor: Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation (G.E.R.M. Award)
Role: Significant Personnel
Proposal title: Interferon-independent immune contributions of IFI44 and IFIT3 to SARS-CoV-2 clinical complications
Grantor: Prisma Health (Transformative Seed Grant)
Role: Co-I
Proposal title: Enhancement of flow cytometry capabilities at UofSC campuses in the Upstate
Grantor: University of South Carolina (ASPIRE III grant)
Role: Co-PI
Proposal title: Simultaneous transcriptomics of host-pathogen interactions during Acinetobacter baumannii infection
Grantor: University of South Carolina (ASPIRE I, track IIA grant)
Role: Co-PI
Proposal title: Implications of enterotoxin modulation on the immune response to bacteria
Grantor: Prisma Health (Transformative Seed Grant)
Role: PI
Proposal title: Innate Immune Gene Contributions to SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Complications
Grantor: University of South Carolina (COVID-19 Research Initiative)
Role: Co-I
Proposal title: Analyzing and visualizing dual RNA-sequencing data
Grantor: Institute for the Advancement of Community Health (Faculty Fellowship)
Role: Senior Personnel
Proposal title: Alteration of albomycin for the treatment of bacterial infections
Grantor: Pathology Associates
Role: PI
Proposal title: Iron scavenging mechanisms during sepsis caused by the human nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii
Grantor: University of South Carolina (Magellan Mini-Grant)
Role: Primary mentor
Proposal title: Elucidation of hemoglobin degradation and subsequent heme-b utilization by the multidrug-resistant human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii
Grantor: University of South Carolina (ASPIRE I, track IIA grant)
Role: PI
Proposal title: Transcriptomics of Acinetobacter baumannii and its human host by dual RNA-seq
Grantor: South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (SC INBRE) Bioinformatics Pilot Project Program (BIPP) funded through National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Role: Co-PI
Proposal title: Evaluating the Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Klebsiella Infections in the Upstate Region of South Carolina
Grantor: Greenville Health System (Transformative Seed Grant)
Role: Co-PI
Proposal title: MENTOR: Medical Enrichment Through Opportunities in Research
Grantor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (T35)
Role: Senior personnel
Proposal title: Internal budget justification for procurement of a flow cytometer
Grantor: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Role: Author
Proposal title: Novel approach to inactivating Iraqibacter, a relevant human pathogen: How gallium protoporphoryin IX can disrupt iron homeostasis in Acinetobacter baumannii
Grantor: Department of Energy (Advanced Photon Source General User Proposal 48369)
Role: Co-PI
Proposal title: Elucidation of Hemoglobin Degradation by Acinetobacter baumannii
Grantor: Miami University Middletown (Miami University Middletown Research Grant)
Role: PI
Proposal title: Kent State Graduate Student Senate Research Grant
Grantor: Kent State University
Role: PI
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