Biographical Sketch: David L. Popham
Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
207 Life Sciences I, Washington Street, Blacksburg VA – (540) 231-2529 –
Professional Preparation
Washington University, St. Louis, MO B.A., Biology 1983
University of California-Davis Ph.D., Microbiology 1989
Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France Postdoc, Microbiology 1989-91
University of CT Health Center, Farmington, CT Postdoc, Biochemistry 1991-96
Appointments
2008-Present Professor of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech
2002-2008 Associate Professor of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech
1996-2002 Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech
Relevant Publications (* indicates Undergraduate co-authors)
Lambert, E. A., N. Sherry*, and D. L. Popham. In vitro and in vivo analyses of the Bacillus anthracis SleL protein. Submitted.
Heffron, J., N. Sherry*, and D. L. Popham. In vitro studies of peptidoglycan binding and hydrolysis by the Bacillus anthracis germination-specific lytic enzyme SleB. J. Bacteriol. 193:125-131. (2011)
Heffron, J., E. A. Lambert, N. Sherry*, and D. L. Popham. Contributions of four cortex lytic enzymes to germination of Bacillus anthracis spores. J. Bacteriol. 192: 763-770. (201)
Vasudevan, P., A. Weaver*, E. D. Reichert*, S. D. Linnstaedt*, and D. L. Popham. Spore cortex formation in Bacillus subtilis is regulated by accumulation of peptidoglycan precursors under control of sigma K. Molec. Microbiol. 65:1582-1594. (2007)
Gilmore, M. E., D. Bandyopadhyay, A. M. Dean, S. D. Linnstaedt*, and D. L. Popham. Production of muramic-δ-lactam in Bacillus subtilis spore peptidoglycan. J. Bacteriol. 186:80-89. (2004)
McPherson, D. C. and D. L. Popham. Peptidoglycan synthesis in the absence of class A penicillin-binding proteins in Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 185:1423-1431. (2003)
Wei, Y., T. Havasy*, D. C. McPherson, and D. L. Popham. Rod shape determination by the Bacillus subtilis class B penicillin-binding proteins encoded by pbpA and pbpH. J. Bacteriol. 185:4717-4726. (2003)
McPherson, D. C., A. Driks, and D. L. Popham. Two class A high-molecular-weight penicillin-binding proteins of Bacillus subtilis play redundant roles in sporulation. J. Bacteriol. 183: 6046-6053. (2001)
Meador-Parton, J., and D. L. Popham. Structural analysis of Bacillus subtilis spore peptidoglycan during sporulation. J. Bacteriol. 182:4491-4499. (2000)
Popham, D.L., J. Helin, C.E. Costello, and P. Setlow. Muramic lactam in peptidoglycan of Bacillus subtilis spores is required for spore outgrowth but not for spore dehydration or heat resistance. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 93:15405-15410. (1996)
Synergistic Activities
· Chair of Virginia Tech Interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate Program (2003-present)
· Editorial Board of the Journal of Bacteriology (2007-present and 1998-2000)
· Editorial Advisory Board of Molecular Microbiology (2010-present)
· Ad hoc journal reviews: Applied Environ Microbiol., J Bacteriol, J. Biol. Chem., Microbiology, Microbiol Mol Biol Reviews, PNAS, Science.
· Chair-elect, Chair, and Advisor of Division J (Ultrastructure and Function), American Society of Microbiology
· National Academy of Science/National Research Council, "Committee on Review of the Scientific Approaches used during the FBI's Investigation of the 2001 Bacillus anthracis Mailings". 2009-2011
· EPA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to review and consider guidance on test methods for demonstrating the efficacy of antimicrobial products for inactivating Bacillus anthracis spores on environmental surfaces. (2007)
· NSF mail reviews (2004, 2005, 2006)
· Service on NIH study sections:
NIH Bacterial Biodefense Study Section, Washington, D.C. (2/15-16/2007)
NIH Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section, Washington, D.C. (6/21-22/2005)
NIH Microbial Pathogenesis Study Section, Washington, D.C. (2/17-18/2005)
NIH Bacterial Biodefense Study Section, Washington, D.C. (2/26-27/2004)
NIH Bioengineering Research Partnership (BRP) / Infectious Diseases and Microbiology IRG Study Section, Washington, D.C. (6/5/2000)
Collaborators and Co-Editors
Dr. Atin Adhikari Univ. of Cincinnati
Dr. Rich Helm Virginia Tech
Dr. Roderick Jensen Virginia Tech
Dr. Rahul Kulkarni Virginia Tech
Dr. Stephen Melville Virginia Tech
Graduate and Postdoctoral Advisors
Dr. Sydney Kustu PhD advisor University of CA at Berkeley
Dr. Patrick Stragier Postdoctoral advisor Institute de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris
Dr. Peter Setlow Postdoctoral advisor University of Connecticut Health Center
Thesis Advisor and Postgraduate-Scholar Sponsor
Thesis advisor to total of 14 graduate students, including
Dr. Jared Heffron PhD, 2010
Dr. Emily Lambert PhD, 2010
Dr. Benjamin Orsburn PhD, 2009
Dr. Derrell McPherson PhD, 2003
Mr. Yong Xue MS, 2008
Ms. Lin Liu MS, 2007
Ms. Melissa Dowd MS, 2005
Ms. Yuping Wei MS, 2002
Ms. Amanda Dean MS, 2002
Ms. Meghan Gilmore MS, 2000
Ms. Jennifer Meador-Parton MS, 1999
Ms. Casey Bernhards current PhD candidate
Mr. Yan Chen current PhD candidate
Mr. Sean Mury current PhD candidate
Postdoctoral Advisor to Dr. Pradeep Vasudevan, 2005-present